Entering your first race

This is a real milestone for new runners – it’s often a desire to enter a race that gets us running in the first place.  For me, it was the Race for Life a few years ago and I’m now in the nice position of trying to work out what to do with my medals!  But I can remember what it was like to do my first, and here are some ideas about how to go about racing, excluding little subjects like training & trying to work out which race to go for....

Finding Out What You Need To Do

When you enter, there is likely to be a website that will cover practical stuff like date, time and location.  You may also be able to look at photos from previous years & examine previous year’s results – all useful.

Most race organisers send you a pack a couple of weeks before the race that includes more details on what/where/when as well as parking and your race number.  There may also be a race chip – more on this later.  The golden rule with race packs is to keep all the contents in the envelope until race day.  Do read all the leaflets & instructions, but put them back in the envelope as soon as you have read them.  This reduces the risk of stress trying to find it all on race day – or forgetting something important.

Other races require you to physically collect your race number either just before the race, or in the case of some big events, the day before.  There should be a registration period in the joining info on the race’s website.  If collecting a number, it’s even more important to research the race joining instructions online in advance.

What to Do in the Month before Your Race

Break in any new kit.  You’ll want to ensure that shoes & clothing are as comfortable and as supportive as possible.  Drum up sponsorship if you are running for a charity & drum up supporters too!

What to Do in the Week before Your Race

Don’t do any major runs!  You’ll want to be injury free with fresh legs.  If you’re doing a marathon or other long distance, you’ll have been winding down your running (“tapering”) for a week or so already.  Do run, but keep it gentle, short & easy.

Plan your transport.   Car share if driving – parking can be tricky for big events & it also means you don’t have to hunt around for your running buddies in crowds!  Check you know where you are going & allow plenty of time. 

Big scale events where roads are being closed require careful preparation & do talk to people who’ve done the race before for advice as well as reading the race pack & the race’s website.  For the Great South, it’s a long walk, but I like using the Gosport ferry as traffic levels & parking are so much easier.  For the Eastleigh 10K, I normally cycle.  If I have supporters with me, I often ask them to drop me off.

What to Do the Day before Your Race

Lay out your kit & read through the joining instructions again, just in case you’ve missed anything!  At most races, you can leave a bag at the start – don’t leave anything valuable in it, but this can be useful for a warm top and some fuel for afterwards.  If it’s wet, a pair of dry shoes & some socks can be great. 

Don’t forget the race pack and some safety pins to attach the race number to your top.

It’s not a great idea to drink masses the night before – I achieved my personal worst for the Eastleigh 10K the morning after my friend’s hen night, nursing a banging hangover.  Alcohol will dehydrate you!

Do however drink lots of non alcohol today – it’ll help with your hydration levels tomorrow.  I prefer to stick to foods I know don’t give me indigestion the day before.

And finally, set the alarm!

Morning of the Race

Do have breakfast, do drink water or juice.  Don’t eat or drink anything outside of your normal routine – if you have a bowl of cereal, go for that.

Get your kit on, out of the door and off to the race.

At the Race

Loos.  Always a monster queue, mostly nasty portacabins, always the worst bit of the race!  Sorry, nothing I can say can make the essential visit to the loos any better.
Fix your race chip according to the instructions.  Some wrap around your ankle, some fit to your trainers.

Drop your bag off at the bag drop area, try & warm up, find your start point & get ready to run.....

10 Things to Remember When Racing

1. Find the pace that suits you & stick to it.  Try not to be influenced by runners overtaking you.  I prefer to start towards the back as I find it easier to run at my pace when I’m not being constantly overtaken!
2. If it is a new distance, focus on finishing as opposed to your time.  Better to start steady & have enough energy for a crowd pleasing sprint at the end than push yourself so hard that you don’t finish.
3. Look out for debris by water stations.
4. Don’t accept sports drinks from marshals unless they are a type you’ve tried (and liked) before – otherwise, stick to water.
5. Don’t accept sweets from marshals unless they are a type you’ve tried (and liked) before! 
6. If the race pack tells you that runners listening to MP3 players will be disqualified, don’t jeopardise yourself by listening to music.
7. Marshals have given up their time to volunteer at the race & they make it possible.  Smile, thank them & consider volunteering yourself sometime for a race.
8. Do regular body checks – how is your posture?  Try and keep your technique strong.
9. I have come last in a race.  It was not humiliating – I was supported brilliantly by the crowd & the marshals.  And there were plenty that didn’t finish.
10. Look around, take in the atmosphere, enjoy!