Runners..

sgmomma

Ok this sunday is my first race...It's only a 2 mi. The option was a 10k or 2 mi. Which really works for me because I just started week 6 of c25k....what should I do to prepare for this?

CarsonRuns

The night before, eat something that you know won't upset your stomach. Get a good night's sleep.

Get up earlier than you think you need to. Eat a light breakfast of carbs.

Have fun and don't start out too fast.

And don't start out too fast.

Smuterella

Ooh, I just signed up for a 2 miler too. I'll be in week 4 by the time it rolls round. Am pretty terrified!

BrianSharpe

and don't say "only a 2mi"......be proud of the work you've put into getting ready for this!

Get your kit organized the night before (if you can, pick up your bib and timing chip the day before the race too).

Relax, your only goal for your first race is to cross the finish line with a smile on your face. As CarsoRuns pointed out don't start out too fast, run your race - don't worry about what other people are doing in terms of pace.

ATT949

Ok this sunday is my first race...It's only a 2 mi. The option was a 10k or 2 mi. Which really works for me because I just started week 6 of c25k....what should I do to prepare for this?

Per CarsonRuns - get a good night's sleep and start slowly.

I'm sorry that he mentioned food. It's no surprise that folks on a weight control web site want to know about food but, physiologically, it's a non-issue (generally speaking) until you run further than a half marathon.

If you decide to eat, eat anything you want. You're going to cover 2 miles which means that, if you're my weight (185 +/-) you're going to burn 300 calories and your body has many, many miles of energy (in the form of glycogen) in the muscles and in your bloodstream. You have no need to eat anything different than what you'd normally eat.

I hope you enjoy the race and, of course, "pictures or it didn't happen" (I saw that on a thread somewhere and threw it in 'cause it seems appropriate :-) )

CarsonRuns

Ok this sunday is my first race...It's only a 2 mi. The option was a 10k or 2 mi. Which really works for me because I just started week 6 of c25k....what should I do to prepare for this?

I'm sorry that he mentioned food. It's no surprise that folks on a weight control web site want to know about food but, physiologically, it's a non-issue (generally speaking) until you run further than a half marathon.

From a fueling standpoint, yes this is true. I also think it's important to not eat proteins within 3 hours of the start of a race of any distance because it is more difficult to digest. That's why I suggested carbs for breakfast. Perhaps I should have clarified that in my original reply.

engineman312

and don't say "only a 2mi"......be proud of the work you've put into getting ready for this!

Get your kit organized the night before (if you can, pick up your bib and timing chip the day before the race too).

Relax, your only goal for your first race is to cross the finish line with a smile on your face. As CarsoRuns pointed out don't start out too fast, run your race - don't worry about what other people are doing in terms of pace.

this.

you hydration starts the day before, so drink plenty of water. don't eat anything the night before, or morning off, that you haven't ever before.

the coolest thing about races? being around so many people, you get a little competitive, and you're like "oh, i can pass this person" and you'll end up beating whatever time you thought you would do.

Sunny_Sunflower

I am in week 2 and have a 5k in June. Any tips !? C25K please add me!

BAMFMeredith

The night before, eat something that you know won't upset your stomach. Get a good night's sleep.

Get up earlier than you think you need to. Eat a light breakfast of carbs.

Have fun and don't start out too fast.

And don't start out too fast.

All pretty solid advice! I use the same advice no matter what distance race I'm running, 5k, Half Marathon, whatever...have fun!

MB_Positif

nothing else to add, you have gotten lots of great info above definitely pick up your number and timing chip as early as you can...night before if possible! Wait...I do have something to add! If you plan on wearing your hair up, have an extra ponytail holder. I usually have one on my wrist...at my first race I didn't have one on my wrist or in my hair and I would have lost my mind if I had to run with my hair down. Thankfully my friend's daughter was gracious enough to give me the one from her hair!! Good luck!

42kgirl

Be prepared to be addicted. Crossing the finish line is the best feeling ever!

BrianSharpe

I am in week 2 and have a 5k in June. Any tips !? C25K please add me!

Keep training consistently and listen to your body - everyone progresses at different rates. If you need to repeat a week then repeat it and don't be shy about taking walking breaks if your body tells you to.

LastMinuteMama

Get ready the way you normally would for a run....and by that I mean, don't wear anything that you haven't run in before. I made that mistake on my first road race. My shorts kept slipping down the whole time

Aside from that, get a good night sleep and have a great time!!!

picassoadagio

The night before, eat something that you know won't upset your stomach. Get a good night's sleep.

Get up earlier than you think you need to. Eat a light breakfast of carbs.

Have fun and don't start out too fast.

And don't start out too fast.

This. Just enjoy it!

Peanut butter on toast or a 1/2 bagel works for me as a race day morning breakfast.

mhankosk

The night before, eat something that you know won't upset your stomach. Get a good night's sleep.

Get up earlier than you think you need to. Eat a light breakfast of carbs.

Have fun and don't start out too fast.

And don't start out too fast.

Oh yea... and don't start out too fast. I did during my second 5K and I had to stop part of the way through cause I thought I was going to puke! Good luck and HAVE FUN!!

BrianSharpe

Be prepared to be addicted. Crossing the finish line is the best feeling ever!

+1

When I ran my first 5K in 2009 and made it across the finish line in just under 40 min I felt as if I'd won Olympic gold. Running is an insanely empowering sport, with consistent and progressive training you'll find yourself doing things that you had considered impossible. Your body is capable of delivering what your mind expects of it given the right training and the right attitude.

SinIsIn

Don't eat anything greasy the night before and no drinking alcohol! hahah. I did my first 10K after a night of drinking. It was not pretty! :embarassed:

Get your stuff ready the night before, clothes, shoes, bib #, music (if you plan to listen to anything). I never start off fast, find your pace and keep it! If you are like me, you will get competative. I'm always looking at the person in front and thinking.... "I'm just going to pass them... I just need to pass them". Then once I do, I look at the next person and think... "i just need to catch up to them"....etc etc...

They are SO fun to do and addicting. GOOD LUCK!!! :flowerforyou:

cantjustcant

The important thing is don't wear your race shirt during the race! That way you can wear it the rest of the day and say....why yes....I did it just this morning!

coopersmom2006

The night before, eat something that you know won't upset your stomach. Get a good night's sleep.

Get up earlier than you think you need to. Eat a light breakfast of carbs.

Have fun and don't start out too fast.

And don't start out too fast.

Yep, this!!

skierxjes

and don't say "only a 2mi"......be proud of the work you've put into getting ready for this!

Get your kit organized the night before (if you can, pick up your bib and timing chip the day before the race too).

Relax, your only goal for your first race is to cross the finish line with a smile on your face. As CarsoRuns pointed out don't start out too fast, run your race - don't worry about what other people are doing in terms of pace.

this.

you hydration starts the day before, so drink plenty of water. don't eat anything the night before, or morning off, that you haven't ever before.

the coolest thing about races? being around so many people, you get a little competitive, and you're like "oh, i can pass this person" and you'll end up beating whatever time you thought you would do.

This. I did my first 10k on Sunday and finished about 12 mins faster than I planned to.

LorinaLynn

Relax. Have fun. Pretend it's just any old training run. And go to the bathroom 10 minutes before the race starts whether you think you have to or not. Even if it means using a nasty portapotty.

dsjohndrow

Here is what I did for my first race.
- Had everything ready the night before even though it was at 1 pm.
- Got up early and had my regular coffee.
- Ate the same breakfast I always do.
- Made sure I wasn't wearing anything new in terms of clothing or sneakers.
- Prayed.
- Hydrated 2 hours early.
- Got there early enough to use the bathroom.
- Posed for a pic.
- Brought a few friends and family.
- Signed in and let them park the car.
- Did some light jogging (was cool that day)
- Did some stretching.
- Made sure my play list was queued up.
- Hit the start line.
- Paced to the program on my smart phone.
- Choked on a cup of water at the 2 mile mark... guess it's OK to stop and gulp - would have been better.
- Made the 5K in just over 30 minutes.
- Celebrated with my friends and family
- Did a stretch or two and went home and signed up for 4 more!

silkysly

Hydrate a lot until then & get some sleep! Do not…, I repeat…, do NOT run the day before. You want fresh legs to run with. The crowd & excitement will carry you to the finish line, trust me on that one. This will be the best day of your life! Oh…, HAVE FUN!

Jedi_Jewel

Be prepared to be addicted. Crossing the finish line is the best feeling ever!

+1

When I ran my first 5K in 2009 and made it across the finish line in just under 40 min I felt as if I'd won Olympic gold. Running is an insanely empowering sport, with consistent and progressive training you'll find yourself doing things that you had considered impossible. Your body is capable of delivering what your mind expects of it given the right training and the right attitude.

^^^ THIS!!!!! You guys have said it perfectly! Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

DG_Allen

Be prepared to be addicted. Crossing the finish line is the best feeling ever!

Unless you're about to vomit