I just registered for my first ever race

[jroche5998]

Well I did it. At the age of 37 years I will run in my first ever road race.

http://www.coolrunning.com/major/05/bunkerhill/

It's an 8k which is 4.9 miles and I've been running 5 mile training runs, so I should be fine. I'm hoping for a time around 45-46 minutes which will be a new best, but I'm counting on race day adrenaline and crowd for motivation. Based on past results that would place me around 300th (450ish runners) or in the top two-thirds of the field.

Unfortunately my wife and kids won't be there, but my Mother and tons of extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) will be. (My mother is from the race town)

I've wanted to run in this race ever since I was a kid and watched my cousin win it (hometown boy).

[jroche5998]

And any tips or strategy suggestions are most welcome.

[spirittalker]

My main tip is pace yourself. Oh and definitely avoid carbs the night before. When I did my 10k as few weeks ago I cheated the night before and felt sick my entire race!

[Isabeau]

That is so exciting! Wish I could be there to cheer you on.

[MontanaRebel]

Way to go!!!! I ran several races from 5k to half marathon in my younger days(in my 30's) and I just ran my own race and paced myself to what I knew I could handle...I use to love to power up a hill and beat many a runner on that move.

I don't understand this thing about not eating carbs the night before because I would eat a plate of spaghetti the night before as it would burn fast and provide energy...Interesting!!! Johnny :guns

[ttdriver]

Jim, I'm so excited for you!! :icondance :icondance You've been bitten by the RACE BUG .. and I predict more races in your future!! :yes

As for tips:

1. Be sure you're well hydrated before you start. Also eat a good hearty protein meal the night before.

2. What time is the race? If its early, be sure you eat a high protein high fat brekkie no less than 2 hours before hand to give your tummy time to digest the food. We don't want side stitches!!

3. Be sure you have shoes that have good cushion left in them. Double knot your shoe strings.

4. Resist the temptation to get off to a fast start. Yes, you'll be psyched and raring to go, but FIGHT THE URGE to keep up with the pack from the starting line. Trust me, you'll pass them later.

5. Wear breathable clothes .. anything with cool max is great, including cool max socks (available at any running store or athletic store).

6. If you have one, wear your HRM. Stay in your zone and don't overdo it.

7. AVOID THE POST-RACE CARBS THEY WILL SERVE AT THE FINISH.

8. ENJOY YOURSELF!

Betty

[FightingTheFight]

I don't understand this thing about not eating carbs the night before because I would eat a plate of spaghetti the night before as it

Johnny, that is what is known as carb loading. Dr. Atkins talks about it in DANDR.

Many studies have shown that its a myth and that its better to consume a Fat protein meal before hand instead of Carbs! They did a study on runners that showed the Fat consumers had better endurance than the carb loaded runners.

[jroche5998]

I don't plan on carb loading. My understanding is the switch from carb burning to fat burning is where the concept of "second wind" comes in. I'm always well hydrated, and I won't have any glycogen to burn through. I am fully intentioned on pacing myself, I can make up time on the back half like I do on my training runs. Don't wanna have to walk, but I don't see that happening.

I don't have an HRM, and I don't plan to partake in any water offered on the course. I don't frink on my 5 mile training run, why introduce something I've never done. My shoes are in good shape, only about 100 miles on them (have I really run that many, LOL). They stay knotted but I do plan on double knotting them.

No post race carbs - definitely!

The race is at 9:30, so I'l probably have some sausages for breakfast, when I get up around 6-ish.

I so plan of having fun. I talked to one of my cousins whose wife races (and he's run a few 5k's with her) and he said to find out where people are gonna be. Because when you are in the zone you don't hear them just the crowd. This race draws a decent crowd too.

I am pumped.

[ttdriver]

Here's the study!!

http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/athletic_diet.html

Betty

[ttdriver]

I've run a bazillion 5ks over the past 2 years (okay, maybe just 30 or so) and about 5 10ks without ever having to carb-load.

I'm up to running 13.1 miles in my training runs on Saturdays at a slow sustained pace (13 minute mile), running for over 3 hours and still no need to carb up. I get through it fine with a couple of eggs and bacon.

Betty

[Effie]

Hey Jim!
Have fun at the race. I did the Battle of Bunker Hill race years ago when I was in high school. I only did the 2 mile, and my dad did the 8k. You will love it. Let us know how it goes!

[Iapetus999]

7. AVOID THE POST-RACE CARBS THEY WILL SERVE AT THE FINISH.

No post race carbs - definitely!

Are you guys nuts???:burn

If there ever is a time in my life I'm gonna eat carbs...it's after a race.
After burning up 400 calories in a 5K race a sausage on a roll ain't gonna kill me.

Anyways here's my advice
1) PACE YOURSELF! You want declining splits...it's not how you start it's how you finish
2) Make sure you are well hydrated...most races don't even bother with water stations
3) Pee as close to start time as practical
4) Watch out for dogs/strollers/puddles but don't pay attention to anyone else but yourself
5) I'm still finding out what works/doesn't for prerace food so generally eat whatever you eat before long runs
6) Eat whatever the **** you want after the race...YOU JUST RAN A RACE DUDE!!! :icondance

[ttdriver]

7. AVOID THE POST-RACE CARBS THEY WILL SERVE AT THE FINISH.

No post race carbs - definitely!




Are you guys nuts???

If there ever is a time in my life I'm gonna eat carbs...it's after a race.
After burning up 400 calories in a 5K race a sausage on a roll ain't gonna kill me.

Perhaps it won't kill you, but it surely won't make you any healthier!
There are way better choices that are legal on this WOE....

Betty

[Esther]

Jim - have a wonderful time at your race! I'm sure you'll enjoy it - just go at your most comfortable pace and make sure you're grinning all the way round :wave

Re post race carbs - I wouldn't touch them as I'd be terrified of upsetting my blood sugars. If you haven't had any for ages they might upset your stomach, too. But if you know your sugars are stable and you're confident you can stomach them, and don't mind knocking yourself out of ketosis and stalling yourself a little it might not hurt. In my first 5k I made sure I stayed in ketosis before, during and after. A few days later I did a 10k and had a banana with breakfast and half a banana after the race. I ran better for it, but my blood sugars were *not* as stable and I was out of ketosis for 2 days afterwards. I think in future I'd risk the pre-race but *not* the post race banana as for me stable blood sugars and being in ketosis are essential!

[Iapetus999]

Perhaps it won't kill you, but it surely won't make you any healthier!
There are way better choices that are legal on this WOE....

Betty

Actually....there is some good to eating carbs after an anaerobic workout...since your muscles are starving you don't want them to eat themselves...but I'm not sure it makes a huge difference.

Probably just a well eating a protein bar...but you really need to eat something :eating