Training before a race.

[pseudo_vegan]

So next Saturday is not only my first 5K, but my first official "race"...thing. I'm not really interested in "winning" or being super-speedy...I just want to do it.

I'm not familiar with training "cycles" or whatever before races...I've read bits and pieces here and there on it...but how many days before the race should I stop exercising, if any?

I lift weights M/W/F, and do cardio most days of the week...so should I go ahead and lift weights on Friday (it will be leg-work), but no cardio? Should I skip out altogether or go ahead and do legs on Thursday instead?

The race has a 1-mile "fun run" at 7:30, with the 5K commencing at 8 A.M....I signed up to do both just to get warmed up and whatnot so... :confused:

I'm a running newb, I know :hi:

:nigel: Cheers!

[Vicky]

i have no advice for you because i know nothing about that

but i say good luck, enjoy the race, dear

[pseudo_vegan]

i have no advice for you because i know nothing about that

but i say good luck, enjoy the race, dear

:lol: Heh, thanks! :up:

:nigel: Cheers.

ETA: I just found coolrunning.com's 5K training schedule...apparently I should have been training for 12 weeks already?? :eek: Ahhhh!!!!

[zoebird]

i'll ask my husband. he was a competitive runner for many years.

[remilard]

Get plenty of sleep and eat well all week.

[Guacivore]

I've run several 5Ks, a few 10Ks, and one half-marathon.

I was really anxious before my first 5K, and just wanted to "get through it". Turns out it was a breeze and I was totally and completely on a natural high at the end of it.

The truth is, if you are running at or near a 5K distance in your normal routine, you have nothing to worry about. So relax.

:)

p.s. Are you used to running at least four miles at a time? If not, you may want to skip the one-miler and focus all of your energy on the 5K, especially with this being your first road race. Either way, have a great time!!

[pseudo_vegan]

Thanks, everyone...

I generally run 4-5 miles, at least three days a week...or so I try... :think:

I haven't done a distance-run in quite a while though (for me more than 6 miles constitues as "distance") so...eh.

Thanks for the advice at any rate!! :)

:nigel: Cheers!

[slynny]

If I were you I would take off on Fri., at least from the weights...just to make sure you don't pull something...I think it helps to have the day off before a race; it wouldn't hurt! Meaning your body won't weaken, your running strenght or speed won't go down, it will probably improve. It all depends on how you've been training...and how fit you are.

Some tips:
Stretch before you run.

You might want to do a little warm up run...and I do mean little before the race. Just enough to remind your muscles and lungs that they will be working.

Don't start to fast!!! It's really easy to do. Keep a do-able pace!

Have fun!!!!!!

[NDvegan85]

I agree w/ slynny to not do weights on Friday for sure. I'm sure that you'll do great! :up:

[zoebird]

the week before your race, do your first of your three runs 'normal' and then the next two runs do an 'easy' two or three miles. Don't run before the day of the race.

that's the advice from my ryan.