New Runner - Triathlon Week

jmcnally · 05-07-2003, 08:11 AM

I've just been re-introduced to running after a few years, and I'm enjoying it a lot. My wife and I will run our first 5k race in about 4 weeks, and I can't wait. My goal is to finish in under 30 minutes, and her goal is to run without any walking breaks, regardless of her finishing time. Any advice for first-time "racers" like us? :)

Walterh · 05-21-2005, 06:37 AM

Get there in time on race day to pick up your bag, take it back to the car and THEN get into your warm up. Our first 5K a couple years ago we registered on-line weeks ahead, went on the morning of for "packet pickup" whcih turned out to be a bag with t-shirts, bottles, magazines, Gu etc. etc. And we had to park a mile from the reg booth! So in the 20 min before the gun I ran hard all the way back to the car to dump the stuff and get back in time.

As you can guess I eneded up lining up out of breath and was more stresses than I really needed to be by the whole thing!

It took me half the race to realize that I'd 'won' just by lining up and starting. Esp when you're new or a new-return, I'd say focus on that. By the time you actually line up on race day you should be grinn'n ear to ear, you guys have already won! All the hard work and grueling is over....now all you have to do is go run around in your underware with 500 of your closest freinds! (beats work'n.)

julian · 06-02-2005, 08:21 AM

What ever you do just enjoy the race and let us know how you get on and dont take it too seriously!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Cheers
Julian.

Smartt/RST · 06-02-2005, 10:01 AM

I'm certainly with the "have fun" group. However, for those of us who set goal times or are looking to PR, running a smart race is also part of the fun.
Most common mistake is getting over excitied and going out too hard. Start just under your goal pace for the first .5 k or so, then pick it up to your goal pace until .5-1k to go...that's when you slowly pick it up and lay it out. If you've set your goal high enough that you could potentially "blow up" somewhere out on the course, make it during the last few hundered meters, not with 2.5k to go....that's never fun. ;)

Zylo · 06-27-2005, 12:35 PM

Just One Tip:

Pace Yourself and you'll do fine!

Good Luck & Enjoy The Race!

:)