First run!!! Advice sought.

Tom Archer said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely as I
certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but myself.

i did my first race this past march so i can still identify
with you. aim to finish. even tho it's "only" 5K, you'll
feel better if you can run the last few hundred
metres and pass a few people.

you don't need to eat anything before you run. if it's hotter
than anything drink just prior to the race, otherwise don't
worry about that either.

enjoy it. it only happens once.
....thehick

Tom Archer said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely
as I certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but
myself.

It's a 5k run, which is no great shakes for those of you here that
have been running for a while (seems like all of you are marathoners
🙂 but it's a great accomplishment for me as 14 weeks ago my waist was
7 inches larger, I was 25 lbs heavier and I couldn't run 1/4 mile.

Congrats. That is a great accomplishment for anyone.

Quoted message said:

Since I've never run next to anyone else (I run very late at night),
the main things I'm telling myself are stay within myself and not to
let the moment get to me or allow the gait of other runners to
distract me

That's probably a good frame of mind. However, "race day magic" can make
you run at a faster pace than you would normally by yourself. The key is
to not start too fast. Have you done any training at 5K race pace?

Quoted message said:

So my question is What other advice can you guys/gals offer me? I'm
especially interested in questions regarding nutrition such as what to
eat the morning of and how long to eat it before the run.

A 5k is short enough that you would do better to have nothing than to
have too much. If you do have something to eat before the race, I would
keep it easily digestible and something you are used to. And don't eat
anything too close in time too the race start. I would not eat anything
solid at least 90 minutes before the start.

Quoted message said:

I also see that they have a pre-race meal the night before. Is that
just a way to meet one another or important to my run?

For a 5k I don't think that your meal the night before is going to make a
difference. Again, just don't have anything unusual.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Phil M.

--
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make
them all yourself." ­Martin Vanbee

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That's probably a good frame of mind. However, "race day magic" can make
you run at a faster pace than you would normally by yourself. The key is to
not start too fast. Have you done any training at 5K race pace?
<<<

That's my biggest concern. I've been running 5k, 3 times per week for a
couple of weeks now, but it's not like I own the distance or anything. I'm
worried that if I go out too fast, I'll really suffer on the back end.
Therefore, I really want to just focus on my breathing and pace.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A 5k is short enough that you would do better to have nothing than to have
too much. If you do have something to eat before the race, I would keep it
easily digestible and something you are used to. And don't eat anything too
close in time too the race start. I would not eat anything solid at least 90
minutes before the start.
<<<

I typically eat about 3 hrs before I run at night. I learned that one the
hard way as I ran about 2 hrs after eating and felt very sluggish and
uncomfortable.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For a 5k I don't think that your meal the night before is going to make a
difference. Again, just don't have anything unusual.
<<<

That's what I was thinking. It's probably more a social bit than anything.

Thanks!
Tom

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

...feel better if you can run the last few hundred metres and pass a few

people.
Yeah 🙂 That would be really great! I hadn't thought that far ahead.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

enjoy it. it only happens once.

Great point. I'll focus on that as well.

Quoted message said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely as I
certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but myself.

Much like talking and your posts, you're the only one reading them. Zzzz....

Leave your self respect in the car. You shan't be needing it.

Leave your self respect in the car. You shan't be needing it.

Tom Archer said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>

That's probably a good frame of mind. However, "race day magic" can
make you run at a faster pace than you would normally by yourself. The
key is to not start too fast. Have you done any training at 5K race
pace? <<<

That's my biggest concern. I've been running 5k, 3 times per week for
a couple of weeks now, but it's not like I own the distance or
anything. I'm worried that if I go out too fast, I'll really suffer on
the back end. Therefore, I really want to just focus on my breathing
and pace.

As I've found out, pacing yourself in racing situations is not easy. Since
this is your first 5k, I would just start out easy and finish strong. Don't
get caught up with the testosterone brigade as they bolt off the starting
line. Like the hick said, you'll feel pretty good passing lots of people
that started too fast. Then for your next 5K you can work on pacing
yourself better throughout the race.

Phil M.

--
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make
them all yourself." ­Martin Vanbee

Tom:

First, let me say "good for you!" To go from not being able to run to
doing a 5K in 14 weeks is awesome! And don't worry--there's at least
one other non-marathoner here (me...).

Quoted message said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely as I
certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but myself.

That's my strategy, too. I set a goal time for myself, then try to
beat it with each race I do. For what it's worth, I'm trying to get
under 30 minutes by the end of this year. But the bottom line is
there's a lot of joy in jus finishing.

Quoted message said:

Since I've never run next to anyone else (I run very late at night), the
main things I'm telling myself are stay within myself and not to let the
moment get to me or allow the gait of other runners to distract me

I don't know if you've learned your own "rhythm" yet--but concentrate
on trying to run at a pace that seems normal when compared to your
usual runs, or maybe slightly faster (race adrenaline, especially in a
5K, can be a substantial contributor toward a faster than normal
time). My personal strategy is to start as far back in the pack as I
can, and then just target people to pass along the way. With a 5K
you'll most likely have a lot of walkers and walk/runners...so get one
of them in your sights, pass them, then pick your next one. It helps
you break the race up into pieces. Don't sprint to pass people, but
just match your pace to them for a while and then add just a little
more--you'll eventually take them over.

Quoted message said:

So my question is What other advice can you guys/gals offer me? I'm
especially interested in questions regarding nutrition such as what to eat
the morning of and how long to eat it before the run. I also see that they
have a pre-race meal the night before. Is that just a way to meet one
another or important to my run?

I think others have said this, but with a 5K what you eat or don't eat
doesn't matter that much. Maybe a half bagel with some peanut butter
90 minutes or more before the race. Drink a lot of water before and
after the race--helps flush out the lactic acid. And if they're
handing them out, try a post-race banana. Potassium helps you recover
and can ease the aches.

Most of all, have fun and GOOD LUCK!

Jim

Tom:

First, let me say "good for you!" To go from not being able to run to
doing a 5K in 14 weeks is awesome! And don't worry--there's at least
one other non-marathoner here (me...).

Quoted message said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely as I
certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but myself.

That's my strategy, too. I set a goal time for myself, then try to
beat it with each race I do. For what it's worth, I'm trying to get
under 30 minutes by the end of this year. But the bottom line is
there's a lot of joy in jus finishing.

Quoted message said:

Since I've never run next to anyone else (I run very late at night), the
main things I'm telling myself are stay within myself and not to let the
moment get to me or allow the gait of other runners to distract me

I don't know if you've learned your own "rhythm" yet--but concentrate
on trying to run at a pace that seems normal when compared to your
usual runs, or maybe slightly faster (race adrenaline, especially in a
5K, can be a substantial contributor toward a faster than normal
time). My personal strategy is to start as far back in the pack as I
can, and then just target people to pass along the way. With a 5K
you'll most likely have a lot of walkers and walk/runners...so get one
of them in your sights, pass them, then pick your next one. It helps
you break the race up into pieces. Don't sprint to pass people, but
just match your pace to them for a while and then add just a little
more--you'll eventually take them over.

Quoted message said:

So my question is What other advice can you guys/gals offer me? I'm
especially interested in questions regarding nutrition such as what to eat
the morning of and how long to eat it before the run. I also see that they
have a pre-race meal the night before. Is that just a way to meet one
another or important to my run?

I think others have said this, but with a 5K what you eat or don't eat
doesn't matter that much. Maybe a half bagel with some peanut butter
90 minutes or more before the race. Drink a lot of water before and
after the race--helps flush out the lactic acid. And if they're
handing them out, try a post-race banana. Potassium helps you recover
and can ease the aches.

Most of all, have fun and GOOD LUCK!

Jim

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I'm trying to get
under 30 minutes by the end of this year. But the bottom line is
there's a lot of joy in jus finishing.

To what end? What is your goal? Running fast without a specific and worthwhile
goal is just begging to get injured. Just running to beat a time, is like
running for a train when there's none in sight.

"Tom Archer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<4et%c.394129$%_6.190517@attbi_s01>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>

That's probably a good frame of mind. However, "race day magic" can make
you run at a faster pace than you would normally by yourself. The key is to
not start too fast. Have you done any training at 5K race pace?
<<<

That's my biggest concern. I've been running 5k, 3 times per week for a
couple of weeks now, but it's not like I own the distance or anything. I'm
worried that if I go out too fast, I'll really suffer on the back end.
Therefore, I really want to just focus on my breathing and pace.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>

A 5k is short enough that you would do better to have nothing than to have
too much. If you do have something to eat before the race, I would keep it
easily digestible and something you are used to. And don't eat anything too
close in time too the race start. I would not eat anything solid at least 90
minutes before the start.
<<<

I typically eat about 3 hrs before I run at night. I learned that one the
hard way as I ran about 2 hrs after eating and felt very sluggish and
uncomfortable.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>

For a 5k I don't think that your meal the night before is going to make a
difference. Again, just don't have anything unusual.
<<<

That's what I was thinking. It's probably more a social bit than anything.

Thanks!
Tom

You should definitely take advantage of the social atmosphere of the
race. Ask some of the other runners about the course, their
expectations for the race. If you have any idea of your current pace
(minutes per mile), you can find others planning to run about tha same
pace. This will help you line up correctly at the start (fast runners
at nearer the line, slower runners farther back).

One suggestion to avoid going out too fast is to start closer to the
back than you normally would based on your pace. Then just being in
the crowd will help you keep a slower pace for a little while.

Just enjoy this first race. Remember, no matter what your finish time
is, this will be a PB (personal best) for you.

Ed

Great advice! I especially like the line of thinking that no matter what,
I'm setting an all-time personal record! Thanks Ed.

"Ed prochak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Tom Archer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<4et%c.394129$%_6.190517@attbi_s01>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>

That's probably a good frame of mind. However, "race day magic" can make
you run at a faster pace than you would normally by yourself. The key is

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

not start too fast. Have you done any training at 5K race pace?
<<<

That's my biggest concern. I've been running 5k, 3 times per week for a
couple of weeks now, but it's not like I own the distance or anything.

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

worried that if I go out too fast, I'll really suffer on the back end.
Therefore, I really want to just focus on my breathing and pace.

Quoted message said:

>>

A 5k is short enough that you would do better to have nothing than to

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

too much. If you do have something to eat before the race, I would keep

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easily digestible and something you are used to. And don't eat anything

too

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

close in time too the race start. I would not eat anything solid at

least 90

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

minutes before the start.
<<<

I typically eat about 3 hrs before I run at night. I learned that one

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hard way as I ran about 2 hrs after eating and felt very sluggish and
uncomfortable.

Quoted message said:

>>

For a 5k I don't think that your meal the night before is going to make

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

difference. Again, just don't have anything unusual.
<<<

That's what I was thinking. It's probably more a social bit than

anything.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks!
Tom

You should definitely take advantage of the social atmosphere of the
race. Ask some of the other runners about the course, their
expectations for the race. If you have any idea of your current pace
(minutes per mile), you can find others planning to run about tha same
pace. This will help you line up correctly at the start (fast runners
at nearer the line, slower runners farther back).

One suggestion to avoid going out too fast is to start closer to the
back than you normally would based on your pace. Then just being in
the crowd will help you keep a slower pace for a little while.

Just enjoy this first race. Remember, no matter what your finish time
is, this will be a PB (personal best) for you.

Ed

Quoted message said:

You should definitely take advantage of the social atmosphere of the
race.

Ed this is your last warning, you've heard it from race directors in every race
you've run, and now with the internet you just can't get away with it any
longer. RACES ARE NOT TO GET LAID, go meet guys in bars like the rest of your
kind.

"Tom Archer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:NRp%c.259297$8_6.230195@attbi_s04...

Quoted message said:

So my question is What other advice can you guys/gals offer me?

Pick up your packet early enough so that you have time to take a whiz before
the race.

On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 21:36:45 GMT, "Tom Archer" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm going to run in my first "race" - although I use that term loosely as I
certainly won't be running competitively against anyone but myself.

It's a 5k run, which is no great shakes for those of you here that have been
running for a while (seems like all of you are marathoners 🙂 but it's a
great accomplishment for me as 14 weeks ago . . .

Hey, you're doing great, Tom! I started running in January this year, and
finished a 5K in May. It was a great feeling to have done that. I wish
you luck and a happy lifetime of running.

Common opinion that seems to be true anyway: get plenty to eat and plenty
of sleep two nights before the race. So if you're running Sunday morning,
the time to "carbo load" is Friday night, followed by good rest on Friday
- Saturday. Just a half dose of your usual morning coffee race morning if
that's your habit.

Is it a run plus walk? I found out a lot of people do both! -- be prepared
for people stopping in front of you. There can be a lot of zigzagging and
weaving at the beginning.

Allow yourself a cooldown jog/walk after you turn in your number stub. And
your usual stretch. I think my wife (cheering section!) expected me to
sprint through the chute and then just stop and mill around and talk.

I too run alone most of the time. I found the other runners at the race
were friendly and encouraging.

Have Fun!

--
Daniel
[email hidden]

Daniel said:

Common opinion that seems to be true anyway: get plenty to eat and
plenty of sleep two nights before the race. So if you're running
Sunday morning, the time to "carbo load" is Friday night, followed by
good rest on Friday - Saturday. Just a half dose of your usual
morning coffee race morning if that's your habit.

Carbo loading for a 5K?

Phil M.

--
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make
them all yourself." ­Martin Vanbee

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hey, you're doing great, Tom! I started running in January this year, and
finished a 5K in May.
<<<
Thanks and congrats to you also!!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

....be prepared for people stopping in front of you. There can be a lot of
zigzagging and weaving at the beginning.
<<<
Hmm. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the tip as I find running very
boring and typically "day-dream" through the run 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think my wife (cheering section!) expected me to sprint through the chute
and then just stop and mill around and talk.
<<<
I'm lucky there. My wife is the runner. She used to run a lot when she was
younger and her did is one of these "ultra-marathon" people that once ran 98
freakin' miles. Anyway, they're always on me about stretching and warming up
and down properly.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I found the other runners at the race were friendly and encouraging.
<<<
I just want to make sure I finish. I think I will as I run some pretty
tortuous roads here so I'm hoping that the race won't be any more difficult
than what I do 3 times a week now.

Phil M. said:

Daniel said:

Common opinion that seems to be true anyway: get plenty to eat and
plenty of sleep two nights before the race. So if you're running
Sunday morning, the time to "carbo load" is Friday night, followed by
good rest on Friday - Saturday. Just a half dose of your usual
morning coffee race morning if that's your habit.

Carbo loading for a 5K?

Phil M.

Sure! Yeah, hee hee -- "Look at me being just like a real runner!"

See, I've got the shirt, short, and shoes, I can talk the talk, and I can
even jog the run! 🙂

(It's a beginning runner thing.)

--
Daniel
[email hidden]