More n00b race questions...

[pseudo_vegan]

So it's *just* a 5K that I'm running...but I'm still nervous and have some more questions...

Much thanks to all who have helped me out thus far...anyway...

The race is on Saturday, in a town about an hour from here. I went ahead and reserved a hotel room for Friday night so that I won't be up WAAAY early driving there.

Anyway...what should I wear? The weather looks to be 65*/35*, and it starts at 7:30 A.M. (the "fun mile", then the 5K @ 8). (So maybe it will be in the mid 40's by then?)

Also, how early should I get there before the mile? Should I eat anything or just drink water? How long before?

Again, I really appreciate everyone's help with this and I swear once this once is over with I'll quit dinking around the VBoards and learn how to read. :dunce: I'm trying to stay relaxed with this...it's just a little run...

:nigel: Cheers!

ETA: Sniffing around on the web made me feel like I'm taking this way too seriously... :-/ I also read that "5K's are done for speed so GO!" ...now I feel like a loser because I'll be happy finishing at by 28... :cry:

[zoebird]

well, you should eat smoething, i usually ate something that was light such as fruit (watery), granola type stuff, some protien (yogurt or soy milk or whatever). something simple.

usually there is a check in time. probably getting there anytime between 7 and 8 should be fine for you to check in and get ready to run. another option is to go before the fun run. the course will be marked out, and you should walk the course (forwards or backwards) so that you know what is coming. Of course, this is only necessary if you have a strategy regarding courses. if you don't, then don't worry about it.

what else can i think of? carb load the nite before usuall helps (dinner). and then reload after (lunch).

as for what to wear, i couldn't tell you. if 40* is cold to you, then perhaps running tights a tshirt and a light jacket will work. i dunno though. you'll probably warm up pretty quickly anyway.

[zoebird]

it's your first race anyway, no one expects you to be working for speed. it's true that people who consistantly run longer distances (10 ks, half marathons, marathons) tend to use 5ks as fun-run speed work.

for other people, 5 ks are their prefered distance and there's a lot of strategy involved in the training and in the racing. if you're experienced, you're times will go below 20 minutes pretty quickly.

but for beginners, the idea is to train and to finish. it doesn't matter how long it takes. It's like that with trinewbies. For those who have raced, it's just good to see new faces on the course giving it a try. it doens't matter when they finish--just that they finish. Youh ave to start somewhere.

So, you're going to run yoru race and have a good time. dont' worry about yoru times or anything else. just go out and feel good and see what happens.

after this one, you can start to train (if you liked racing) or you can add things in (like training for triathlons) and the like.

[pseudo_vegan]

:wayne:

Thanks, zoebird!!

:nigel: Cheers!

[Pigeonwhole]

Alright so I have myself just started running. I would wear work out pants and a short sleeved shirt. It gets really hot after awhile. I just ran in a 10 mile race and it was about 28 degrees and I got down to a t-shirt. Don't stress out about it, it's really a lot of fun, and the feeling you get afterwards is excellent. Oh and I usually eat oatmeal 2 hours before and it works for me.

[CaptainSwab]

At many of the races that I've been to people will wear trash bags to the start line. When the race starts, they dispose of them. I've tried that myself (also during a marathon where it rained) and it seemed to help keep us a bit warmer until we started running.

Also, when you get there I reccommend standing in line for the porta potty right away. I've been to some races where I've stood in line for about 20 minutes before a race just to use the bathroom.

[Cynthia Blue]

Awesome about your first 5k! I ran my first, and as of yet only, 5k in February. I was nervous too. :) But it was a lot of fun and very laid back. Even with snow and slush on the ground, and falling from the sky, it wasn't bad at all and no one slipped. I was worried about that.

I brought my dog and we had fun. My time was 36:51, not very fast at all, but I was glad I was under 45 minutes! LOL.