First 5K coming up this weekend - Tips? - Update

[ddi741]

I am participating in my first 5K this weekend.   Any tips or etiquette rules I should be aware of?

Thanks

Update:  My race was today.  I finished in 39:28.  I am really really happy. It was a lot of fun and I did better than I expected.  One of my friends was there who has done a couple of 5Ks before and she stayed with me the whole time.  It was nice to have her there and to tell me it was ok when I needed to walk. 
Thanks for all the advice, I tried to be as consciencious as possible to the people around me.  Thank you for all the encouragement & tips.  I will definitely do it again.

(ps - I had to wait for them to post the results because I didn't see my time when I crossed the finish line because I was smiling for the my husband who was taking my picture)

[kams]

Have a great time!!!!

When you're all lining up at the start, line up according to your pace as best as you can. If they don't have signs, then I always place myself a little ways behind where I think I should actually be. Stay towards the right side of "traffic" unless you're passing, and if you need to stop and walk, be sure to get off to the side so that you don't stop in front of someone who is running.

Let us know how it goes!

[LWoods]

I always do best when I set small goals "run the first mile" or "keep that lady within site" or whatever. Usually I get to the goal and set a new one before I walk or slow down a bit so that I know when to start again. Ditto everything Kams said about moving out to the edges, etc.

[ddi741]

Thanks so much. I'll report back on how I do. There is green beer at the end of race so I am using that as an incentive

[Deleted]

Good luck! I'm racing on Sunday too!

[bullygirl979]

ditto to what kams said. And if you need to spit, be very aware of who is around you. No one likes getting spit on If you are listening to an ipod make sure you don't have it turned up so loud that you can't hear what's going on around you. Lastly, if you get water from the water station, try to throw the cup in or near the garbage--volunteers need to pick up all the cups up!

[gt7301b]

Have Fun!!!

[pamela]

As for actual running, make a concerted effort not to start out too fast. It's easy to get caught up in adrenaline and excitement and start out too fast and wear yourself out too early. You can always pick it up as you go.

[shauni27]

Have fun! Otherwise, Kams covered it all. Can't wait to hear a recap!

[shorty20]

Good luck and make sure you thank the volunteers, without them there would be no race!

[D2M]

Have fun! To make your morning as easy as possible, set out all your gear the night before. Pin on your bib (or have the safety pins out), put your socks beside your shoes and attach the timing chip or whatever your race is using. Give yourself extra time to get to the race itself so you don't have to worry about parking/traffic/public transit woes and you can hit the port o potty or check your bag with time to spare.

[abramos]

Just have fun and ditto the pp!
Let us know how you did!

[CallingAllAngels]

Have fun and good luck!

[jchokie79]

How exciting! Have fun, good luck and come back and tell us about it!

[ddi741]

Wow, Thanks so much for all the responses. I hadn't even thought about the water or spitting

I am really excited and a little terrified!!!

[wildfloweragain]

To add to the above: don't try to drink water and run at the same time. That's a good time to take a walking break.

I can't stress enough how much you need to not go fast at first. It's so hard to remember to run your own race and not compare yourself to others, but you'll poop out and kick yourself if you do that.

Is anyone going with you? DH almost never comes to my races, but when he does, I ask him to take my picture while I'm running to keep as a memento.

[thom]

I definitely agree with setting out your gear the night before & leaving a little earlier than you think you need to. If it's a busy or downtown area make sure you plan for parking, traffic, etc. I also wouldn't bother with the water stop unless you really feel like you need it. (It's 25 * here though so I'm thinking everywhere is still cool.

Most of all, have fun! Best of luck to you.

[thom]

And pacing! As wildflower said, just run your own race & don't start too fast.

[ddi741]

Is anyone going with you? DH almost never comes to my races, but when he does, I ask him to take my picture while I'm running to keep as a memento.[/quote]



My H is coming. He'll be waiting at the finish line for me and is in charge of pictures.

[ddi741]

Update at the top.

[Deleted]

Congrats on finishing your first 5k! Do you think you'll do another?

[kams]

Mar 12, 2013 8:56:58 GMT -5 ddi741 said:

I am participating in my first 5K this weekend.   Any tips or etiquette rules I should be aware of?

Thanks

Update:  My race was today.  I finished in 39:28.  I am really really happy. It was a lot of fun and I did better than I expected.  One of my friends was there who has done a couple of 5Ks before and she stayed with me the whole time.  It was nice to have her there and to tell me it was ok when I needed to walk. 
Thanks for all the advice, I tried to be as consciencious as possible to the people around me.  Thank you for all the encouragement & tips.  I will definitely do it again.

(ps - I had to wait for them to post the results because I didn't see my time when I crossed the finish line because I was smiling for the my husband who was taking my picture)

I love this
Great job! Congratulations on a great first race!

[hellonurse]

That's awesome- glad you had a great experience!

[jchokie79]

Congrats, that's awesome! So glad you had a great experience and you had a friend and hubby there to help cheer you on!

[cinco]

Congrats!

[kellina]

Great job!!!