My First Race--Any Advice?

E

elsie3

Cathlete
I'm running my first race this Saturday. I've got the first leg (7 miles) of a Marathon relay. I'm going to keep running after I hand off my timing chip--beats sitting around and being bored. I know I can go at least the next leg (6 miles), because I've gone as far as 15 miles on my long runs. I'll just see how far I get.

I'd love some tips and advice: nutrition, preparation, what to bring, race etiquette, anything.

I use my Polar F4 when I run. I'd like to use it in the race, but I wonder if I would I get too much interference (my model can't handle the WIND technology).

Thanks,
 
First off, Congratulations. You must be so excited. Let's see ADVICE:

First eat what you normally have eaten while training. Today is not the day to try somthing new.
Get plenty of water.
Lay your stuff out the night before.
Arrive early.

Second, if the relay is set up anything like mine was you may not be able to continue to run. We had buses that took certain relayers to certain points on the course. Leg two and four you needed to get on a bus to be driven to that point on the course.. Where leg 3 was at a location that could be gotten to by foot at the start. So check into that before you run so far you might have to go to the end. Trust me you won't get board. After you hand off the chip your going to want to sit back and cheer and take it all in so you may or may not want to stop. Plus you may want to go back to the start and see your teammates come in and enjoy the festivites going on. There may be 5K runners coming in or any other race they may be having. Either way enjoy it. Good luck.
 
No advice better than what Karen gave you, but good luck and have a great race! Enjoy it and have fun! Remember to let us know how it went!
 
Good luck!

I've never done a relay race, but it sounds like fun! Only advice I have is to line up correctly...meaning if they have pacers, try to get in the area closest to your target pace. My biggest pet peeve is when slower runners line up in front near the elites and then for the next 2-4 miles you have to weave in and out, slowing everyone else down. Karen had great advice, and I'd like to add to the statement about nothing new...that includes shoes, socks and clothes :D Enjoy the environment and don't forget to thank the MANY volunteers who usually are there for YOU and fellow runners!
Best of luck and HAVE FUN!!!
julie
 
Thanks for the great advice and encouragement. I am really getting excited--and a little nervous--but mostly just excited. We've got 2 teams going, so I'll be with friends.

You can continue running on this particular race, so I'll see how I do. After my leg, my time won't matter, so I'll just relax and have fun. My goal is to do the full marathon next year, so this will be a great way to just experience everything.
 
Another thing: you'll probably find that the extra adrenaline boost you'll get from competing will give you an extra boost, but beware of letting it, and the other competitors, make you start out too fast.

I've done several 5ks (as a speed walker), and always see some people who take off like a shot, only to lose steam very quickly. Whereas those of us who keep a more steady pace (or even starting out a bit less fast, then speeding up later on) end up lasting and placing better.
 
kathryn said:
Another thing: you'll probably find that the extra adrenaline boost you'll get from competing will give you an extra boost, but beware of letting it, and the other competitors, make you start out too fast.
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Thanks! I've been giving myself a talking to about that one. I've run a couple of times with the first-legger on the other team, and I know I can't start out at her pace or I'll burn out: She likes to start out fast and hard, but I prefer to ease into a run. But I know I'll be tempted to keep up with her and others, so I'm glad for the reminder.

Does anyone use their HRM in a race? When I run, it helps me pace myself. I guess I'll try it and hope I can get good readings.
 
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Elsie, good luck with your race! I just ran my first half marathon, and there were nearly 20,000 people. I used my polar F6 with no problems.

Have fun! The race environment is awesome!
 
jamiehorn20 said:
Elsie, good luck with your race! I just ran my first half marathon, and there were nearly 20,000 people. I used my polar F6 with no problems.

Have fun! The race environment is awesome!
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Good to hear. Thanks so much for your input and good wishes.
 
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