First Running Race Ignorance

SteveTries

Hi All,

First ever race coming up in 10 days. I'm going solo and don't really know what to expect.

There have been some great posts on here giving tips that I've paid attention to (e.g. finish breakfast 3 hours before, stop drinking 30 mins before the race, take jelly babies, practice everything in training etc) but there are still some things I am unsure of and I was hoping to benefit from the experience of some of you.

The race is a point-to-point half marathon starting in a town about an hour from home and ending in a city about half hour from home (or an hour if traffic).

Logistically it seems to make sense for me to catch the train to the start point and then another one home from the finish.

As it's my first race, I'm not at all sure what I ought to take with me. If it was a loop I'd just go in the car and pack it full with the kind of things I may need before and after; spare clothes, raincoat and umbrella, food, drink etc. That's not an option so I need to figure out the minimum set of things to take with me. There is a bag drop off and collect. Any tips for what I might need?

It's a staggered start over 3 hours based on the pace you stated you'd run at when you signed up. What would be a sensible time to arrive before my start slot?

What do you do before the start of a race? I assume I have to go sign in somewhere? Collect a timing chip maybe?

The race is along a canal towpath, that is likely to be fairly narrow for most of the route I would think. What is good etiquette? Is it encumbent on a runner to stay aware of what is happening behind? Do I stay left so faster runners can get by? Do I yell "get the hell out of my way" when I want to overtake someone?

Any input appreciated.

Thanks.

Pebble321

Does the race have a website? The ones I've done have always provided info about things like transport to and from, where to pick up your chip etc.

- As there is a bag drop service then take just what you think you'll need. For my last race I took - water, banana, long sleeved top to wear to/after the race, spare safety pins, tissues, panadol.
- Don't leave anything in your bag that you aren't prepared to lose.
- Carry your phone, keys, money (card and a little bit of cash) with you. I have an SPI belt which is good for carrying small stuff, or use a zip pocket if you have one.
- Get to the start point as early as you can - 30 - 60 mins is good because you will probably have to queue to pick up your race number, queue to use the loo, queue to drop your bag, wander around to find your starting wave etc.... I always like to be early.
- When you are running, stay to the left (I'm assuming you are in the UK!) unless you are passing. I don't usually tell people I'm coming but watch to see what everyone else is doing. Be prepared for walkers to get the hell in your way and annoy you - or is that just me?
- and you already know "nothing new on race day", that's an important one. And "don't start out too fast" in all the excitement.

Most of all - enjoy your first half! I've done three races so far (12, 10, 14km and have my first half coming up in August) and just love the buzz of all those people running.

SteveTries

Thank you for those great tips.

Yes there is a website, just not info oriented towards the newbie.

http://www.bbchm.co.uk/default.asp

I'm expecting a pre-race pack any day which may have everything I need to know in there.....or may not.

geordiegirl27

What Rubybelle has said is all good stuff.

The HM I do I get there around 1hr before the start, there will be long queues for the toilets and at point to point there is sure to be a bag drop off service. Have something warm to change into or pop over the top, once you stop you'll cool down quickly. Have yourself something to eat in there a banana or in my case a mars bar keep valuables on you.

Have a good carb loaded meal the evening before, I find a spag bol or lasagne is a good one, avoid anything too spicy & be careful with alcohol, make sure you're well hydrated. I've tried a few different pre race foods as I struggle to eat on race day as I always feel queasy (crazy as I do enter quite a few races but still get nervous). But one of the best things I've had was something recommended by an ultra runner in a magazine last year which was rice pudding with a chopped up banana and maybe a bit of honey. Kept me fuelled through the race which was a tough 10miler.

Jelly babies are great to have with you on the run, is there water stations on the route? If not make sure you have some water with you, gels can be a good idea too but don't add them if you've not tried in advance.

I'm a slowish runner so I tend to stick to the left hand side unless I'm overtaking, if you're going to overtake a quick glance behind you to make sure there's no one coming up behind and off you go. One thing to take into consideration is if you are overtaking someone and pulling back in, please don't slow down immediately I nearly fell over someone who did that to me earlier this year, and be aware of others maybe doing this to you. Also watch out for people with MP3 players they may not be aware of those around them, I sometimes run with music but always keep the volume down so I was aware of my surroundings but not everyone does.

Mostly good luck and enjoy, I love the experience of a race the atmosphere is amazing listen to your body and finish strong, let us know how you get on :glasses:

BerryH

Here are my first race tips, together with some excellent suggestions from other MFPers in the comments, hope they help :flowerforyou:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-before-my-first-race-266231

SteveTries

Thank you GeordieGirl. Love rice pudding, will try that for my long training run this weekend.
Yes there are floating water stations! I just picked up a cheapo hydration backpack (1.5l Tesco's £12) and will give that a try this week. Haven't used one before so didn't want to spend a bunch in case I didn't like it.

Berry, I already had your tips bookmarked and have been following your posts for a while - super helpful :-)

BerryH

Berry, I already had your tips bookmarked and have been following your posts for a while - super helpful :-)

:drinker:

To answer your questions directly:
As it's my first race, I'm not at all sure what I ought to take with me. If it was a loop I'd just go in the car and pack it full with the kind of things I may need before and after; spare clothes, raincoat and umbrella, food, drink etc. That's not an option so I need to figure out the minimum set of things to take with me. There is a bag drop off and collect. Any tips for what I might need?
You can leave a big rucksack with a luggage train, no need to restrict yourself so take all you need. I take a change of clothes, a last minute snack (energy bar), water (loads), isotonic sports drink for afterwards, any meds I might need. Bring a bin bag to wear if it's raining at the start that you can discard once you get going.

I usually wear a bum bag to take things I might need en route - plasters, painkillers, asthma inhaler, phone if it's a less well-marshalled race, tissues (for toilet breaks!), sachet of lo-salt ( for potassium if there's only water en route).

It's a staggered start over 3 hours based on the pace you stated you'd run at when you signed up. What would be a sensible time to arrive before my start slot?
One hour, but aim for two as things go wrong!

What do you do before the start of a race? I assume I have to go sign in somewhere? Collect a timing chip maybe?
Queue for the toilet. If it were a chipped race they would have sent it beforehand unless they say otherwise. If you have your race number already, no need to sign in. Queue for the toilet again.

The race is along a canal towpath, that is likely to be fairly narrow for most of the route I would think. What is good etiquette? Is it encumbent on a runner to stay aware of what is happening behind? Do I stay left so faster runners can get by? Do I yell "get the hell out of my way" when I want to overtake someone?
Left is usual if you need to walk or find yourself going slower than those around you. A polite "excuse me" usually does the job, plus a tap on the arm to indicate what side you're passing (especially if it might end up with one of you in the canal otherwise!)

BrianSharpe

Not much to add to the tips other than have fun & remember to smile as you cross the finish line! ( I looked at the website - it looks like a great race!)

Kara_xxx

All good advice.

Something that hasn't been mentioned is where to position yourself at the start of the race.

If there are designated timing pens put yourself in the appropriate pen based on your predictive finishing time... 2:00, 1:45, 1:30 whatever.

Whatever you do DON'T go right to the front and then set off doing 10 minute miles because it will seriously hack people off.

Kara_xxx

A polite "excuse me" usually does the job

That's if they're not wearing i-pods.