It's my first 10K on 9th Feb - I'm behind on training and am feeling very tired but so so want to complete it. I normally train first thing in the morning but have been feeling really sick about 3/4 of the way into it. On very cold mornings I carry out the training session in the gym after work - everywhere aches and the machine says I'm doing far less km than my phone when I'm outside training. Any ideas about the sickness in the morning at all (I don't eat and only have a small cup of lukewarm water before jogging). I'm nervous about the 10K, nervous I won't complete it, nervous other joggers will think WTF is that fat middle aged woman thinking of even trying to compete in a 10K, nervous I'll need the loo and won't be able to find one, but oh I'm so excited about it too. But am I jogging correctly - I'm so slow - will it matter that I walk for one minute and then continue slowly jogging. I'm like a jittery teenager going to her first Disco. What time should I turn up, will I make a holy show of myself. I really don't mind how long I take to jog it just as long as I do it but your comments would be much appreciated. Many many thanks Jo
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Hi Jop66 would it help if you ate something light before running. If I’m only doing 5k I do it on a empty stomach but if I’m doing any further distance I always have some porridge a hour before. Walking In between is fine. I know how nervous you feel as I’ve got my 1st race in March . As for making a holy show of yourself I don’t think anyone is going to think that at all. I wish you good luck with your training and also your race. I think a lot as to do with believing in yourself.
Thank you so much Maz, much appreciated. I believe I've come to realise the sickness is nerves - can you believe it?! However, I take on board what you say and wish you good luck with your training and race too in March. Belief in oneself is so so important. Thank you
It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before your first event. I was bricking it before mine but once you start running you feel nothing but excitement. Think of the nerves as extra adrenaline 🏃♀️🙂
Ok, lots of questions in your post so let’s break them down and take one at a time.
How far have you run in training? I believe that if you’ve got to 7K in training then you can do 10K on race day so don’t worry about this. Yes, you can walk for sections and lots of people do. The important thing is not to start off too fast. Start nice and slowly and then you can better pace yourself for the rest of the race but if you feel you need to walk then do it.
The sickness thing might be because you haven’t eaten anything. Everyone is different and we just have to experiment with what works for us. Some people can run for miles with no food and others (like me) need food to do anything. Perhaps you could try a little porridge or toast with peanut butter or even a banana before a run to see how you feel.
You could also be running too fast. That makes you feel sick. So slow right down if that’s the case. Also, you might be dehydrated so drink plenty of water throughout every day making sure your pee is a pale straw colour.
One way to help your nerves is to plan for the day. Check out the website for details like the location of the toilets and water stations and the route. This helps enormously. Also, plan your journey and give yourself plenty of time to get there so you can get to the loo and have a little chat with other runners. Runners are a very friendly lot! I don’t think you can be too early for a race (well, within reason 🙂). I always turn up extra early at my races and I’m still surprised how many others have beaten me to it!
As to the fear that others will wonder “WTF is that fat middle aged woman thinking of even trying to compete in a 10K....”. Other runners will be thinking about themselves and will have their own anxieties and the spectators, if they’re not looking at their phones 🙄 then they’ll be looking at you with admiration and awe and probably guilt (thinking they should be doing this). At the race you’ll see all sorts of runners, all shapes, all sizes, all ages. It really is a wonderful experience. You’ll fit right in because you’re a runner.
Amongst all your questions you have said that you’re so excited about this. Hang on to that feeling, it’s supposed to be fun. Just remember that the race is yours and yours alone. You’re not competing with anyone else.
I have a race that day too so I’ll think of you on the way around. Enjoy it all and remember to smile for the photographers 🙂 and just relish that feeling when you cross the finish line. You’ll feel epic 💪🤗 Honest.
Fantastic answer. Exactly right. A crowd will pull you along. Relax and just enjoy the event, and I agree if you can do 7K you will do 10K on race day.
Don’t compare the thread mill to outside running. Your phone or GPS watch will never accurately calculate indoor running.
Thank you so much Irishprincess this is so very helpful. I've learnt my sickness is nerves more than anything yet it's under my own steam I put myself up for this!!! Crazy or what- I really am looking forward to it and am taking on board all you say. I shall think of you as I compete and shall smile proudly for the cameras - Thank you so much!
Hi and congratulations for signing up for the event. IP says it all. My addition is that I'd signed up for a 5k 3 days after completing c25k. I've never spent so long on the toilet due to nerves, so you're not the first and won't be the last. I hadn't actually ran 5k before the event so didn't know if I'd manage. What actually happened was there were loads of other runners all ages kids to oldies, all shapes and sizes. Some were fast, some aimed to walk the whole way slowly. I actually got to the stage of weaving in and out the really slow walkers as I'd started too far back the pack. Everyone was really friendly, speak to people, they may be more nervous than you and glad of a friendly voice. Aim to just do the event and enjoy it, unless you are an elite runner, speed really doesn't matter. Relax, breathe, enjoy. I'll be cheering you on. Happy running
For morning runs I used to be able to run on an empty stomach in the early days of c25k but not anymore in my 10k body... I wake up 2 hours earlier to have some breakfast and then go back to bed. Breakfast will typically be a bit of porridge with honey. This will ensure I have energy for the morning run. Then before I head out of the door I will pop a cola chewy sweet for a bit of sugar. I have found that when I eat something tiny before a morning run I am functioning much better.
Thank you for this JaoJao and I will try 20g museli and spoonful of yogurt tomorrow - I also bought jelly babies today - not keen on them but have been told they are the things to rely on so that may be my something tiny to pop in my mouth before I take off on my training. Kind regards
Irishprincess has written a great reply, hope it helps. If you pop over to the Marathon and race support forum (covers all races, including 10k) you will find oodles of posts there about nerves - it's just so normal. Reading a few race reports might help you with regards to logistics too. I wonder which 10k you are running? There's a lot of us running in the LWR on 9th Feb too, so if it helps just imagine all of us nervous Nellies that will be with you in spirit every step of the way! If you add your name to the February event post, you will also get a personal shout out full of good wishes and cheers to take with you on the day of the event healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Finally it'sworth mentioning that when you do start running all the nerves drop away, a calm descends, one foot in front of the other feels so normal just like any training run, BUT there is the added sprinkling of race magic which is genuine magic and it will carry you to the most amazing feeling at the finish line.
If you feel like it afterwards, post a race report to the Marathon and Race support forum - it would be a help to others facing their first race.
This is so good to hear as it is indeed the LWR 10k I have signed up to take part in so I shall be pleased to know there are other nervous nellies beside me as that magic dust settles on us all to take part, compete and reach the finish line. Thank you for the links too. Good luck - see you next Sunday! Kindest regards
Fantastic. It's sounds like it should be a great - and above all relaxed and FUN - event. I hope you love every minute of it - beware, you may soon be hooked on bling 😍
Jo, I saw myself in nearly everything you just wrote! I'm running the London Winter 10km on Feb 9th too and it will be my first proper race. I'm absolutely terrified now. I've seen all the photos of last year and everyone is in hats, gloves and multiple layers - I have ample insulation so I'll be the person in short sleeves and sweating after a km! The loo issue is my greatest fear - running can have a bit of a laxative effect on me! I've done a 10km practice run and am about to go out now to convince myself I can do it. I've decided that I'm running 'my' race so will be running on my own, at my own pace and just enjoying running around the lovely roads of London. Give me a wave - I'll be the chubby, middle aged purple faced lady who is determined to complete the distance and prove to herself that she can achieve something! Good luck and have a great run.
OMG SlowyMcSlowlegs as I was reading your response I had to take a break for a loo stop (!) as those background nerves are there but I think from your response we must be twins that were parted at birth I am usually very slowly jogging in a t-shirt and light rain jacket and glow bright red so to see people with hats, gloves and long sleeves did worry me a bit but like you I agree it's my race and if I jog 15 then walk 1 and repeat all the way around that will be fine with me just as long as I get around taking in this beautiful city and yet proving that at least this is one thing that I have started and achieved. I'm in a black t-shirt with the London Winter run t-shirt stitched onto it as the one sent to me was too small even though it was xl! Sal la vie Good luck and you too have a great race and day
You are awesome just for signing up and getting yourself to the start line, in my opinion. I can’t imagine anyone wondering why someone is doing it, no matter their size or speed - you are more likely to evoke admiration, or inspire someone to give it a go themselves.
I always get up a bit earlier before a 10k and have some porridge and a banana. Find out what time the registration is? I always register about half an hour before it closes so I’m not hanging around too long to start. Start of slow! If you have strava on your phone or watch perhaps walk a little after every km or 2 so you don’t get too out of breath or tire to early. Have a walking break just after 9km and finish strong!
You will be surprised by how many people will be slower than you or even walk most of the event! It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to do it! 10k is still 10k! Enjoy it! Have a wonderful time and enjoy the atmosphere!
Thank you so much Paula and this is great advice - by this time next week I along with many of you will have achieved this 10K and be feeling as you say wonderful having enjoyed my first race and the fantastic atmosphere of the day!
Irishprincess covered everything beautifully. Eat a banana or something before running. I ran my first 10k after 3 weeks training, having only done a 5k before that.
Nobody cares what you look like. I'm a 63 yr old type 1 diabetic. (There are more hot dinners behind me than in front 😜)
Worse, it was a local race, and I knew half of the competitors, and the crowd arrrgh.
I jeffed it (run 2 mins, walk 30 seconds). Well, apart from the last 200 metres...I spotted my nephew up ahead. A seasoned runner and 30 years my junior. (He had been a bit sniffy about me running the 10k.) So I thought I'd run and catch him - which I did....
Passed him, and right at the finish line, I heard him coming up behind me...so put a sprint on. I was gasping and panting like a dying dog. But beat him by 30 seconds.
Believe me, the adrenaline surge will get you there. Enjoy every minute! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Teresa you have given me so much inspiration - well done I can feel how much that last push beating your nephew felt soooo good - Fantastic - I shall think of you when times get tough in the 10k and enjoy every moment. Thank you
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Thanks to all inspirational posts that have helped me to achieve 10k
Started new running course, helped my parkrun!
Need help with cadence / pace etc.
Strava experts help me.
So the countdown begins … but I need help with a plan please
