What to do/not to do before the official race?

mrk34

I ran my second 5K training run in preparation for my first official 5K race

Distance 3.35 miles, time 35.52 minutes, average minutes per mile 10:42.

I feel that I am falling in love with running.

My official run will be on 9/18/11.

Any advice what to do and what not to do on 9/18 in the morning and the day before?

CoachsWife4

I run my first 5K on October 1 for The Race for the Cure - I'm interested in any information you get.

Congrats MRK on your progress!

trilikeagirl

Don't try anything new that you have not trained with, meaning food, drink, or equipment!! Get lots of sleep the few days before the race, as well as water. Most important, have a ridiculous amount of fun!

Starkle09

Dont get fancy...do what u do before any other run. it's been working so dont switch it up! good luck with ur race

CaptainMFP

Did my first 5K a couple weeks back and am training for an 8 mile trail run on October 1.

The day before: No running. Did an extended (30 min) stretch session in the evening.
Morning of: Got up about 5:30. Did about 5 min. jump rope to warm up. Then 30 min stretch routine. Ate a single serving of Kashi with Greek yogurt and a glass of OJ for breakfast around 6:30. Race was at 9:00. Ran my race in 30:17 (9:46 pace) and I've only been running since mid-June.

Hope this helps. From one newbie runner to another, best of luck on your first 5K! Feel free to send a friend request if you like; I'd love to have more dedicated runners among my friends.

KimertRuns13_1

Don't try anything new that you have not trained with, meaning food, drink, or equipment!! Get lots of sleep the few days before the race, as well as water. Most important, have a ridiculous amount of fun!

This.

kseltzer

I agree with trilikeagirl...don't do anything out of the normal. Your breakfast on race day should be the same things your body is used to. Having stomach issues during a 5k is no fun! Make sure to hydrate yourself the day before and morning of the race. Have fun and best of luck!

maemiller

I lay my all my clothes and gear out that im going to use the night before. Pin my number on my shirt, make sure you got your timing chip strapped to my shoes. Since its a short race, i wouldnt worry too much about carbing up, but i would eat the usual foods, nothing new or something that can upset your stomach the next day. I sometimes do a light workout, jog or XT at the gym. Day of the race, make sure you warm up (jog, butt kicks, high kicks) and stretch really well. Eat a light well balanced breakfast, oatmeal, toast w/P&J, yogurt, fruit, light carbs that will give you energy for your run. After the run, do a cool down and again stretch really well

I did my first 5K back in 09; got hooked on running and im doing my first Marathon in October.

Good luck and before it forget, the day of the race......HAVE FUN!!!!!

micpen2

I take the day before the race off from working out or running. Maybe a walk just to stay loose.
I set out my gear the night before; what I'm going to wear, change of clothes, towel, etc.
Day of I eat a light breakfast. Toast, piece of fruit, one egg, you get the point. You want something on stomach but not too much.
Once at the race, at about 1/2 hour before the start, I do a light warm up: jog for 3-4 minutes, Light stretch, maybe some pushups. I shoot for about 6-8 minutes of warmup, just start to feel a sweat forming.

Watch out for going out too fast. Hold yourself back in the first mile. Adrenaline will be flowing so watch that you don't get caught up in the excitement. I find when I feel like I am holding myself back, I am in fact running at my target race pace. After the first mile, go with how you feel. This will set you up to pass a few people who did go out too fast. Its a great feeling when you start passing people in the final mile.

Good luck

mrk34

On the race day should I eat breakfast in the morning?

Should I drink water just before the start?

EDITED PART: I didn’t see posts advising on the breakfast issue before I clicked on Reply. Sorry.

JNick77

I ran my second 5K training run in preparation for my first official 5K race

Distance 3.35 miles, time 35.52 minutes, average minutes per mile 10:42.

I feel that I am falling in love with running.

My official run will be on 9/18/11.

Any advice what to do and what not to do on 9/18 in the morning and the day before?

If you do any leg strength training you should stop at least a week before the race, legs take longer to recover.

Edit: It's actually something I read recently in relation to getting ready for a fitness show, so it must have some crossover to running.

mrk34

Here is the link to great info on the subject.

Thank you Jen for sending it to me.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race

Mark.

Jenlynphi

You're welcome Mark! I learned a lot too.

mrk34

Thank you all for the great feedback.
Mark