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Advice for a 5K Race

Wisks
Wisks Posts: 81 Member
edited October 5 in Social Groups
This Sunday I'll be running in a competitive 5K trail run race. Relative to my training runs this is a shorter run and most races I do are longer as well so I don't have a lot of experience in running 5Ks and I don't know the proper strategy in terms of fueling, warm up, in-race strategy, etc... I mean is it as simple as run as fast as you can, it will be over shortly? In other, longer races I had my strategy, split times I wanted to hit and things of that nature but I do want to do well in this race so any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

Replies

  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    My advice would be don't check your text messages if you get one. You might trip and fall over a root and slippery leaves. You might smash your knee when you fall. Somebody I, umm, know, might have done this two weeks ago, and then had to limp the last mile.

    Honestly, it's a short distance. I love the trail runs. Just roll out of bed and show up. Drink a cup of coffee in the way, and good to go.
  • skemery
    skemery Posts: 100
    That's about all I do for 5Ks anymore. Eat a banana and go as hard as I can.
  • CouleeRunner
    CouleeRunner Posts: 256 Member
    Yes, eat something before and go hard....
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Run like crazy. Enjoy the after party.

    That is all.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    I agree, run as fast as you can handle and it will be over before you know it. I always warm up first with a slow easy mile run if I can. Getting my body going that first mile is easier if I'm a bit warmed up first.
  • girlontherun5
    girlontherun5 Posts: 59 Member
    I agree with a short warm up if you have time. Then just give it all you got and have fun :)
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    +1 to this. Run Hard! you train longer then the race so you should have no problem amping up and going faster then you normally train at.

    I personally train around 10-11 minutes per mile, but when in races, i can can run 9-9:15 per mile.

    Yes, eat something before and go hard....
  • Photoology
    Photoology Posts: 121 Member
    My advice would be don't check your text messages if you get one. You might trip and fall over a root and slippery leaves. You might smash your knee when you fall. Somebody I, umm, know, might have done this two weeks ago, and then had to limp the last mile.

    Honestly, it's a short distance. I love the trail runs. Just roll out of bed and show up. Drink a cup of coffee in the way, and good to go.

    agreed on the text message checking!!
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