DISCLAIMER: **Please ignore funky formatting at the end... Blogger decided to be possessed today, but the pics speak for themselves. :) **
So you've been running for a little while now and you've decided it's time to take the plunge and find a race to do. Congratulations!
Let's get you started .....
With only a year of 'real running experience,' I certainly don't claim to be an expert and continue to learn new things *all*the*time*, but with fall racing season quickly approaching and a recent question by a new running friend (new runner AND new friend!), I thought I'd share a list of things I've learned (through awesome advice, resources, and trial and error!) in the past year as I've run 5Ks to a half marathon. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comment section!
Kim, this list is dedicated to YOU! I’m excited and honored to be joining you for your first-ever race in August! We're going to have a great time! :)
1. Check out all the races in your local area. *I've listed a few resources at the end of this post, which is by no means comprehensive, but a place to get you started.
2. Pick a distance best suited for you. Look for minimum pace requirements, usually in longer distances (half marathon and up) BEFORE you register. Found this out with the Chicago Half Marathon....Oops!
3. Register for the event – online or in person, and train properly for the distance ~ build your mileage foundation to avert disaster. Click here to read more about what happened when I didn't(!) build a solid mileage foundation, thinking an extra couple of miles would be no*big*deal*. Ha! Silly me.
4. Get all your gear before the race and break it in before the big day.
5. Try out what you’ll eat race day before that day. This includes breakfast and supplements/fuel/hydration for longer distances.
6. Pick up your race packet either before or day of the event, depending on instructions*. I recommend picking it up in advance when possible. *Some races require packet pick-up in advance. And please.... be familiar with race rules and etiquette. **Go to the expo of there is one
7. Make a list and gather your race day gear at least the day or night before.
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| Where are those safety pins? Just need one more.... |
8. Prepare your gear in advance: attach your bib and timing chip (if provided) and fill out the emergency info on the BACK of your bib if space is provided. Learned about the 411 spot on the bib AFTER I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Oops!
9. Arrive early, be prepared to hit the porta-potty lines, find your corral*, take pictures, chat with other racers, and note where the START and FINISH LINES are so you know WHEN to start and stop your watch. *10:00 minute mile is often the last "runners' corral" before the walkers, though sometimes you'll get the one the Turtle Runner most relates to(!). No worries, fellow slower runners ~ you're in the right place! :)
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| Disney Princess Half Marathon, March 2010 Hamming it up with Lake County friends before the race. It was soooo cold! (tip: for cold races, wear old, cheap clothes to shed along the route) |
10. Have fun!! Remember, your first race is a guaranteed PR (Personal Record), so go out there and rock your race!
A few resources to help you find races near and far....
FL runners ~ Central FL and statewide:
Happy running, friends....
Robin
Own your journey. One run at a time.
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| Race for the Taste 10K, Oct 2009 Sweating like crazy BEFORE the race even began... should've known what was coming!  |
7 Comments:
Great advice Robin - most of us had to learn it all by trial and error (mostly error)!
Also hoping to meet up with you in FL in November!
And thanks for the well wishes for my dad!
Great Post! Only thing I would add is if you are slow like me, try not to worry about being last. The running community is very friendly and just wants to see everyone finish and have fun!
You certainly got that list down to the T, You'd never know you were only running a short time! You definitely have the racing bug, a true runner sign :).
Great list Robin. I might add, make a great playlist as well.
My first race, a 5k, was a local one. I think that was a good choice for me because it let me test out the waters for not very much money and I wasn't intimidated by thousands of runners. This particular race only had a few hundred and it was the perfect 1st race experience.
this is SO HELPFUL.
Im doing a linklove post next week as a kick off for my/my readers' training for the LV RnR Half.
may I link this?
Carla
Hey you guys!
Thanks for the additional ideas ~ Lisa, I completely forgot a music list since I don't run with tunes anymore. But you are right - start that list EARLY and have it ready for race day if your race allows headphones/earbuds. :)
Ann~ always an excellent reminder..as this turtle runner knows, too: finishing is what we're about! :)
Carla, thanks for the request, and yes, I'd love to be included. Will definitely link back to the Turtles blog so everyone gets the 411 on your post!
Jill, I try to be a fast learner...ha ha! Guess it's the lifelong learner and educator in me. LOL
**HUGS, everybody!**
What a great list...and now I'm off to go read the runners etiquette to see if I'm still doing anything wrong, lol!
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