The Fitbloggin 5K is almost here! Here’s five tips from running coach Julia Jones of Up & Running to help you have a great race.
The Fitbloggin 5K will be a super fun morning: you’ll be surrounded by all your Fitbloggin friends… and running! Before you go to the starting line here’s a few tips for making this a perfect race. I completely understand you might forget all my advice due to pre-race jitters, so I’ll to keep the list to just five things. Ready, set, go!
1. Eat a normal breakfast but leave time for digestion
5k is not a race you need to fuel much for. Since the race start is early and there’s a scheduled Fitbloggin’ breakfast afterwards I’d suggest you have something to just get you going but not fill you up. If I were racing in the Fitbloggin’ 5k (I wish!) I’d wake up and have some coffee or tea and then a banana about 30 minutes before the start.
2. Warm up before the race
If you’re planning on just participating you can warm up with a quick ten minute walk and a few stretches. If you plan on “racing” you should warm up with ten minutes of slow running and finish with a few strides and some stretching.
3. Line up where you think you ought to be…
If you plan on walking the entire 5k, line up at the back. If you’re an experienced runner and you’re going to race, line up at the front. Not sure where you should be? Put yourself somewhere in the middle towards the side. This is actually a great position to start from. Being up front with the faster runners might induce you to run faster… and you don’t want to do that in the first kilometer. Line up exactly where you think you should – you’ll catch runners in front of you with time anyway!
4. Start slow and then find your sweet spot
If your first kilometer feels too slow, that’s a great sign. Going out too fast in any race is the rookie mistake. After starting off slow, try and find your running rhythm and concentrate on keeping the tension out of your body. Shake up your shoulders once in awhile or even your arms. Run relaxed, look forward and around you, enjoy the scenery. Don’t be afraid to walk if you need to.
5. Celebrate at the finish line
I know so many people that immediately start talking about what they coulda, shoulda, woulda done if, if, if. When you cross that finish line all I want you to do is celebrate your awesomeness and congratulate yourself on your Fitbloggin 5K. You totally deserve it!
Julia Jones lives in Italy and alongside Shauna “Dietgirl” Reid created Up & Running online running courses (@runningonline). They offer e-courses for super-new and seasoned runners tackling 5K, 10K and half-marathon runs with expert coaching, awesome training plans and vibrant community support. Visit them at www.upandrunningonline.org.