Don’t Be Intimidated By All This Info
First off, completing the race is pretty simple. There’s a bit of a learning curve about how the whole thing works, but I’ve never had any issues. Remember if you’re ever confused you can always ask a random person at the race. Runners tend to be friendly and helpful people.
Set a Goal Time & Find a Training Plan
For a shorter race it’s best to keep it simple, you don’t need a complicated strategy. Set a goal time and if you can’t keep up with the pace slow down, if you’re feeling good speed up. If you are a competitive or regimented person you can follow a training plan to prepare for the race, although it’s not necessary.
Picking a Race
At this point you have some good shoes, have done some running, and you’re ready to complete your first race. Your first race should be a shorter distance, like a 5K or 10K. A 5K is 3.1 miles and a 10K is 6.2 miles. This website is great for finding a race near you – runningintheusa.com.
This is Basically What Happens:
1
You sign up and pay for the race online (shorter races are usually cheap). You will get an email with more information sent to you. You might want to mark it as important or screen shot it just in case.
2
From the email (or the website) you will know where to park, where the start line is, where to pick up your packet, and what corral you are in. I’ll explain what a corral is shortly.
3
The next step is to go pick up your “packet”. You’re usually picking up two things: a bib and your free shirt. The bib is a sheet of paper with a number on it that you attach to your shirt with safety pins, it has a timing chip attached to the back of it. Packet pickup is usually the day before the race and for a 5K it’s usually at a running shoe/apparel store. Most races require that you physically go pick up your stuff, they won’t mail it to you.
4
Now it’s race day. You parked your car, you have your bib attached to your shirt, and you can walk to the starting line. When you get to the starting location, there will most likely be a gear check that you can leave stuff at. I’ve never used it before, I keep my phone and keys in a running belt. Do your stretches and warm-up routine before the race starts.
5
Now you’re at the starting spot of the race. About 10 minutes before the start time you need to find your corral. There will be big signs that say each corral number, go stand by the sign with all the other people. If you forget your corral letter it’s most likely on your bib. Some smaller races might not have corrals, in that case just stand wherever you want, faster people in the front, slower people in the back. They’ll usually make some announcements and play the national anthem.
6
Now the horn goes off and the race starts, but you aren’t going anywhere yet. There will be a large number of people ahead of you so you won’t cross the start line for a few minutes. It’s ok because your time doesn’t start until your timing chip crosses the start line.
7
Now you’re running on the course, there will be porta potties, mile markers and water stations. You’re probably already hydrated so you don’t have to drink a whole lot of water unless it’s hot out. You’ll most likely be running faster than you planned because of adrenaline.
8
You cross the finish line. They’ll announce your name over the speaker system and you should be feeling good. They’re going to give you a medal and you can leave. Most races have free food and drinks at the end. After the race is over they will text or email your time and stats. That info will also be on the race website. You can also buy photos that photographers took during the race.
Dos and Don’ts
Dos
Do go to bed early the night before – or at least try to, it can be hard to sleep if you’re excited. If you only end up getting 4 hours of sleep it’s ok, it shouldn’t affect your time too much. You can always take a nap after.
Do prepare everything the night before – layout everything, your clothes, sunscreen, petroleum jelly, sunglasses, pin your bib to your shirt, etc. Also make a list of things to remember, like where to park, the start time, your corral, etc.
Do drink some coffee and go on a 5 to 10 minute jog. It will help you go #2. You want to go before the race, not during it.
Do bring throwaway clothes if it’s going to be cold (or use the gear check). You might be standing outside in the cold for a half hour.
Do stretch before and after.
Do wear a watch and track your pace. It’s good to know how fast you are going even if you don’t have a goal time.
Do have a friend take your picture (if you want a picture). The photos they sell afterwards are very expensive.
Do push yourself hard – this is the time to leave it all out there.
Don’ts
Don’t change your diet – you don’t need to carb load for a shorter race like a 5K or 10K, stick with what you’re used to.
Don’t tell everyone about it – wait until it’s over to talk about it and post about it on social media. I think you’re just adding unnecessary pressure by talking about it too much before.
Don’t dread it, it’s going to be fun! I get the dread…my inclination is to wake up and drink coffee and watch tv. But once I get there I always have a good time, even if the weather is bad.
Don’t drink a gigantic amount of water before. You want to be hydrated but you don’t want to be peeing every 15 minutes.
Don’t eat a meal before – I would suggest something light like a piece of bread and a banana as soon as you wake up.
Don’t wear clothes you haven’t worn before – you should have ran in everything before, socks, shorts, etc. You never know what might cause an issue.
Don’t show up late. Let me repeat that. Don’t show up late. Don’t add the unnecessary stress of being late.
Don’t get nervous. There isn’t anything to be nervous about, worst case scenario you have to walk for some of it. If that happens, who cares? You learned from it and you completed a race, there is always another one you can sign up for.
Don’t run it with a friend. It’s fine to go to the race with a friend but don’t run it side by side. The whole point is to push yourself to the limit. Inevitably one person will run a slower time than they would have solo.
Don’t sit down or lay down when you are done, your legs might lock up on you. This is something that definitely happens. Walk or jog slowly for at least 5 minutes afterwards.
