color run questions

I just did the Color Run on May 4th in Rochester, NY. SO FUN! And probably the best run for you to do as your first. It's all very lighthearted, they don't time it, and there are a million people there at the same level as you, as well as avid runners...In fact, I did the run with my girlfriend BECAUSE it was her first 5K...and she too just started running! You're going to do great! I say run as much as you can...and eat a nice pasta dinner the night before!!!
Also, I would bring a water bottle...they have a water station at the half way point, but with all of the powder they throw at you, you will want some extra.
Personally, outside running is easier for me. I like to be able to take deep breaths and look around at my surroundings...if you're finding it hard on your body, I would recommend finding a nice dirt path or trail nearby...its far easier on your joints!!!
Good Luck and enjoy it!!! It's super fun, and I look forward to doing it again next year!!!

I signed up for the color run and its on June 1st!! I am excited and thrilled! Its my first run. I did the c2k5 running program on a treadmill but admit after the challenge of the program was over I lost the desire to push thru a run. I learned running outside was even harder.
I don't want to walk the run. I was going to run outside yesterday but with rain I couldn't. I jogged around the track at the Y for 45 mins. I walked some but mostly jogged. I felt the desire again to push thru. My muscles in my legs are sore but not bad.

I have time to work 2 more runs in and could maybe even do 3 of them. I hope for outside but that depends on rain or not. Should I stick with 2 or aim for 3. I am thinking a rest day before the big day.

Also for those that have done runs. Do they have water stations? Or should I run with a water bottle? I can't not drink water.

i did a color run last year and it is a lot of fun and perfect for your first race (mentioned because it's not timed). if your race is on saturday then i suggest you not run on friday (get in 2 runs if you feel up to it but i would make the second one a very light run - save your energy for saturday's event). the rest day before is important. they do have water stations (mine had 2), don't bother running with a bottle because it'll get covered in the color and then you'll be drinking it. the stations get a bit congested so this will give you an opportunity to rest (and most likely walk a bit). i wouldn't worry too much about not running outside (if you don't get a chance this week), the rush you'll feel on race day will give you the energy you need.

remember: it's a fun race; enjoy it! then if you like races enter something that's timed. good luck! oh and keep your mouth shut when going through the stations LOL!

Thanks for the advice!! I think once I push thru that first run outside I will enjoy it more than a treadmill. I need to be around others running too. Yesterday, on the track, I could pretend to being chased or chasing others that were running.

that's how a lot of runners run at races. pick a person and attempt to keep pace (or pass them)

I am doing my first color run in August. Good luck with yours! I'm sure you'll do great. Like the other poster I have found it easier to run outside. You'll find your stride soon, and you'll do great. Just enjoy it!

I did my first 5k earlier this month, and it was The Color Run. It was overall a lot of fun, though there were a few things I would've liked done differently (directions they gave us weren't great but that was venue specific, parking was an absolute mess [again, hopefully a unique occurrence], and the end of the race wasn't as awesome as I was expecting [I was hoping they'd have plenty of volunteers at the end dousing people with all the colors at once]). Having said all that, it is something I would most likely do again.

As someone else mentioned, if you're planning on running it, make sure you get a rest day in! Store up your energy.

The Color Run I went to had one water station halfway in, which I found sufficient. I wouldn't bother bringing a water bottle, personally. I WOULD bring plenty of tissues and wet wipes (you can leave them in the car) to wipe up a bit before going home. We didn't think of this but while making the (longggggggg) walk back to our car, a couple of girls who were cleaning up outside their car offered to share. Blow your nose really well afterwards; you'll need to blow out what they referred to as "unicorn boogers" lol. Oh also, I'd bring a towel you don't much care about to put on your seat when driving home. That color stuff will get everywhere.

To the person who asked about the color dust, most people didn't seem to have a problem breathing through the color stations. However, I have asthma and was worried I'd have a problem. So I tied a blue bandana around my neck and just nudged it up over my mouth/nose when going through the color stations. It worked fine.

Here's a couple of before/after pictures of my friends and I at the event: http://imgur.com/a/MIvQM

Have a blast!!

Anyone have trouble getting the color out of your hair afterwards?!

it takes a few days to completely wash out. someone suggested conditioner in your hair before the race but for me it was too late. i didn't mind the funky colors because it did wash out and i warned my boss beforehand.

i have asthma and didn't have a problem w/ the powder, but I also tried to make sure I held my breath as I ran through the color clouds, I recommend laying towels on your car seat(s), so that you don't powder your seats. I did end up leaving some color on the steering wheel, though.

I do wish we had a black light to take some pictures of me when I got home. We got some pics, but the full effect of the glowing Tabby coming in through the door @ 10pm, was not captured.

making the transition from treadmill to outdoors (and vice versa) is really hard and you need to slow way down to do it. I'd go through the C25k program again, skipping days if they're too easy, to recondition yourself to the outside.

You probably won't be able to run the whole thing unless you start out near the front of the pack. This isn't for lack of your ability (I'm sure you COULD run a 5K if you wanted to), but the color run is basically eight thousand middle aged women walking down the street. You have to stop and wait in line to get color on you, and after dodging all the people you get seriously slowed down.

By the end of the course, I realized it wasn't even 3 miles (my gps said 2.8, and that is after tacking on all the zig-zagging I had to do around people).

Sooo my suggestion is don't expect it to be like the promo videos where everyone is happily running through color. If you want to run the whole race, the best thing to do is start as close to the front as possible.

I would suggest bringing a water bottle. I always do even for short distances, because why be thirsty if you don't have to be?

...... but the color run is basically eight thousand middle aged women walking down the street. You have to stop and wait in line to get color on you, and after dodging all the people you get seriously slowed down.

Wow, way to make us "middle aged" women who don't run feel inadequate :laugh:

Just the truth about the event. Assign whatever adequacy that you want.

i think it depends on where you are because the event i did last year does not sound like the event you did. slow going through the stations but no waiting for color and no dodging anyone. there were a LOT of young college age kids at the race i did plus lots of families and a good mix of women and men of all ages.