I read an article via FitSugar about preparing for your first race and it was just what I needed!! Today, my workout consisted of a 25 minute run, which was about 2.5 miles give or take and since I ran outside it was definitely helpful in getting used to running outdoors but it was tough! I ran a lot, but I also walked too. I don’t really know what it was, but I started feeling out of breath and a little nauseated! I finished the workout, but I knew that the next time I run is the last ‘dress rehearsal’ until my debut race… 3.1 miles. The idea scares me a little because I don’t know how I’ll be come race day, but I know one thing – I’m finishing that race!
Helpful tips on preparing for your first race include:
- Sign up early for the race you want to participate in. I signed up for my race last Saturday only because that was the day you were allowed to sign up in person. So I would say I signed up early, rather than the actual race day.
- On the night before, you should eat food that agrees with your stomach. That means, save those exotic spicy foods for after the race to avoid an upset stomach.
- On race day, you should wake up at least 2 hours before and eat a light breakfast and drink plenty of fluids.
- Warm up by stretching and jogging for at least 10 minutes before the race. It will loosen you up and keep you less nervous. I’m definitely going to do this because I know I’m going to be SUPER nervous.
- At the starting line, it’s best to position yourself in the middle or the back of the line. From there, keeping a steady pace in the beginning will help you and keep you going.
To read the entire article, click here.
My name is Susan, and I blog here. This blog is my personal journey to living a healthy and happy life. When you think 'fitness' you think exercise and sweating. But there is more to life than that. Eating mindfully and being happy is also important. That is what this blog is all about. 
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Sue,
Good luck this weekend!
I have a few things to add.
First, do not warm up by stretching and jogging. If you are going to stretch, then warm up by jogging and stretching. Stretching cold muscles will do more harm than good. The jury is out about how much harm or good stretching does before a workout or race, but I tend to keep it pretty light and wait until after the race to stretch.
If you can, I recommend getting a short jog in when you first wake up a few hours ahead of time, and then do another short jog to warm up before the race. It seems to wake you up better and you’ll be looser and happier. It works for me, anyway.
Make sure that you eat something the morning of the race, preferably a few hours ahead of time. The advice about not eating exotic spices (or anything that might not agree with you) the night before is probably one of the most important rules. You don’t want to stop halfway through the race to ask somebody on the course if you can use their bathroom!
All in all, great advice. Just make sure that you get your muscles warm before you stretch them at all, if you feel that you must stretch ahead of time.
Thanks Blaine for the added advice. I’ll definitely follow the short jogging! I’m excited and nervous at the same time, but it’s all in good fun.
Do these races typically have mile markers so you can judge your pace?
Great Tips, Sue. When the adrenaline kicks in at the race, you’re going to do fine! Have fun.
Thanks Cindy!
John, since it’s my first race I’m not sure if they’ll have mile markers…we’ll see! I hope they do so I can see how well I did after my first mile.
Great tips. Eating food that agrees with our stomach is definitely something we should consider, because no matter how prepared we are, an upset stomach will surely change everything.
John,
Most races will have mile markers, which always seemed a little silly to me. I’d think that they would mark the kilometers in a 5 kilometer race…
Great list. Warm up is something we shouldn’t forget. I’ve tried running without doing any warm up and it was definitely not a good experience.
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