Running my first 5K on Sat. Need Advice!

Elzecat

I would run nothing more than 2 easy miles tomorrow. Just enough to get the muscles stretched and heart pumping a little. As for today, no speed work or long runs but other than whatever you normally do.

Tips:
Don't start out too fast.
Don't try to "carb-load" tomorrow night, you'll probably end up regretting it and for 3 miles it's unnecessary.
Enjoy it, races are the fun part
Did I mention to not start out too fast?
Don't eat or drink any more or less than you normally do when you run 3 miles. Just do what you normally do and you'll be fine.

This is all excellent advice.

michelle2482

PS -> To avoid cramps -> A light meal beforehand high in potassium. I usually have an open faced Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole grain bread.

PSS -> If its an early morning race, I usually have a small 8oz bottle of water 20 minutes before racetime.

PSSS -> Don't forget to use the bathroom twice before race time... once to pee, and once about 10 minutes later to void any other excess cargo... just saying cuz POOP happens.

Good Luck!

Oh good God... your PSSS. Will heed your advice and attempt to erase this image from my mind!

Runs4Wine

To add on to what others have said:
Get there early to ensure you find parking, get your bib and warm-up/stretch.
I'm an AM runner so I do my regular routine before running - same amount of water and I don't eat
I don't run at all the day before a run
I know I'm a slower runner, so I start to the middle to back of the starting line.
I use the runkeeper app so I have it tell me what my pace is... I get race adrenaline and often tire myself out too soon... so the app helps keep me in check.
Don't wear the free shirts they give you - wear your normal running gear.

BerryH

I jotted my first race tips in my blog, hope they help :flowerforyou:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-before-my-first-race-266231

Good luck, and do come abck and let us know how you get on

RScott714

Hydration is very important in running. As odd as it may sound, your urine should be the color of lemonade. I try to stop the sodas (too much sodium) and drink a little more water when I'm training hard. For 3.1 miles there's no real need to use gatorade or gel packs. You also may want to start off in the back of the group if your pace is less than an 8 min mile so you don't get passed a lot and discouraged.

And finally I agree....have fun and good luck.

monkeyrunner

Best of Luck to you! Philly Zoo will be fun Advice....

Keeping Running...even if you have to slow your pace keeping running don't walk you will get to the end faster I promise
As far as food...don't carb up the night before. I normally eat a slice of toast with peanut butter or half a bagel, sometimes a banana. But whatever you do eat it early enough so that you are not cramping during race.

afitz42101

Have you gotten the start slow message yet? It's a difficult one that even experienced runners have a hard time with. While it seems counter intuitive for a beginning runner. Warm up by running a little about 20-30 minutes before race time. Make sure that you don't go very far or fast maybe 5-10 minutes of warmup for a beginner. You won't miss the energy it consumes and will be able to run easier at the start for it. Mostly have fun. A race is a really neat atmosphere with lots of great, supportive, people. Good luck!

UrbanRunner81

Don't wear the free shirts they give you - wear your normal running gear.

I agree with this particularly. You could get unexpected chaffing, so stick to what you normally wear.

Good luck!

secretlobster

I jotted my first race tips in my blog, hope they help :flowerforyou:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-before-my-first-race-266231

Good luck, and do come abck and let us know how you get on

Every single one of these is fantastic. Great advice.

michelle2482

I jotted my first race tips in my blog, hope they help :flowerforyou:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-before-my-first-race-266231

Good luck, and do come abck and let us know how you get on

Every single one of these is fantastic. Great advice.

Yes! I didn't even think about how to pin my number or to make sure that it wasn't uncomfortable when running/moving. Great tip!

secretlobster

Yes! I didn't even think about how to pin my number or to make sure that it wasn't uncomfortable when running/moving. Great tip!

I pinned mine to my face. WISH I'D KNOWN

sevsmom

I'm a light eater ahead of any race. Remember the strategies you choose to employ this time and make adjustments.

I can't stress enough the concept of NOT STARTING OFF TOO FAST!!! If you do, you'll feel amazing as you zip along for about 1- 1.5 miles and then. . .oh crap! You could say this is the voice of experience! LOL

I don't need to drink during a 5k, but there should be at least 1 or 2 drink stations for you. Drink if you feel thirsty. I can not drink and run/jog so I have to walk through drink stations and I would rather drink after the race.

Have FUN! Remember races are fun and you learn a little more about what strategy works best for you each time you go out! Hope all goes well!!!

GameOn2011

Ok, so try to hit my 8 glass goals in the days before?

Today and tomorrow drink your water and keep your self hydrated and you will be fine race day!

I will be running a 5K right across the bridge from you in Pensauken, NJ Saturday morning, although its not my first, more like my 15th! Today I did about an hour of yoga and tomorrow I will rest. Both days, I am making sure to drink my water.

ALSO, get a good night sleep!!!

OH, and I have my ipod fully loaded with great motivating music to get me going and keep me going! Just updated it this AM for Saturday's race.

You have gotten a good grip on the advice so I know you will do GREAT! Good Luck!

jimbo_a_logo

Lots of good stuff here.
http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/a/first5K.htm

secretlobster

OH, and I have my ipod fully loaded with great motivating music to get me going and keep me going! Just updated it this AM for Saturday's race.

I've only been in one race that allowed headphones, I know it's personal preference but the adrenaline during my first race was enough that I didn't need the music anyway

Monkeymomma05

Bump, I hope to be ready for my first one by the end of November!

Chagama

1. Have fun. Enjoy the sights and sounds and people around you.

2. Don't do anything you haven't done during training. This is not the time to try new foods, new clothes or new routines

3. Get there early. Traffic around races can be unpredictable, and it's much better to be sitting around waiting and just enjoying the environment than to be rushing to find the starting area, or yelling at a lost shuttle bus driver (that would be the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon).

4. Have fun.

Corryn78

Don't buy a fancy, new, untested outfit for the race. Wear something you are already comfortable in and know it won't rub in the wrong places.

I will also echo what everyone else said, stick to the back, start out slow and steady, take a break to walk if you need it.

I ran my first 5k last year, along with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th Never finished in less than 45 minutes, but having my friends there cheering me on at the end was the best part.

askinnybanana13

I am going on my 16th 5k on the 22nd in reno NV....I suggest a protein rich breakfast-- I like southwestern style egg beaters, with sodium free canned chicken scrambled up... hydrate with only water alot the night before but the morning before the race not to much just sips because multiple factors come in to play (potty break, side cramps, or just heaviness while running) most races have a section where you can grab a small cup or water at half way through.--- 3 miles inst bad at all if you are an average paced new running you could be running anywhere from 30-38 minutes. --- keep you activity level simple maybe a nice long brisk walk tonight and tomorrow lots of stretching. do 4 times 15 minutes each through out the day then all you have to do on Saturday is have fun!!!!! you will see that even though running isn't a team sport, there is always a team of people supporting you. --- I sure you will love it and there is no way you can fail because the toughest part is signing up. the easy part is patting yourself on the back for trying.

40Marbles

Great thread! My first 5k is next weekend.

I'm trying to just treat it as close to my regular run as possible. Same clothes, I'll take my phone to have the rundouble app and music going, and probably take my own water bottle. My hope is to finish with no walking at about the same time that I have been going this week. (Ok, and not trip and fall down, or do anything else really humiliating)

It's on the street, and I usually run on a bike trail, so this week I am going to add some road running and more hills.

Love the tips here, keep them coming!

ChristinaBarnhouse

Drink plenty of water the day before!

Good luck... you can do it!!! :happy:

jeffrodgers1

So... How'd did it go?

helenmc40

How did you do??I am sure you killed it.