My 1st 10k Race Looming

[RosesAreRed777]

Hi,

I have my 1st official 10k next week. Apart from a couple of Parkruns, I have never done a big organised run before.

Any tips on the lead up to on the day would be very welcome. Getting a bit nervous/excited already.

Thanks

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I wish you luck RosesAreRed777 on running your first official 10K next week, I assume that's on Sunday, not really much time to do much more running, I am also a little nervous about running my first official 10K although I have ran more that 40 on my own, but that's not for 5 weeks, on the first Sunday in September, what you should do is slowly run a 10K on Tuesday and a slow 5K on Thursday to check that you are ready for your first official 10K next week, once again good luck.

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

Ooh exciting! I love the atmosphere of a race - it’s easy to get caught up in the momentum but just start where you feel comfortable and try to run at your usual pace so you know you have enough energy to see you through to the end - good luck and enjoy 😉

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well you know you can do the distance, so nothing new - keep any runs short and easy now, so that you arrive with fresh legs. Also, on the day make sure that with all the nerves and excitement of the start, you don’t inadvertently go off too quickly - it is easily done and can come back to bite you! Other than that, enjoy the atmosphere and that very special piece of bling that you will soon be wearing around your neck!🙂🏅

Which 10k is it by the way?🙂

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏Excellent advice already posted! Enjoy the experience.. make it about you.. your pace .. don’t try to keep up with anyone else. Hope it goes really well!!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Don’t go off too fast! Have fun. Take in the sights and sounds. Finish with a smile 😃. Eat cake! 🍰 🏅 👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Good luck! It really helped me to remember that nerves are excitement in disguise (I can’t remember who said that to me but it stuck!). You’ve trained and you’re ready. You’ve earned the right to stand on the starting line with all your hard work and all you have to do is enjoy it!

It’s much nicer to start slower and finish feeling strong. It’s hard not to go off too quickly but if you can try and stick to a planned maximum for the early kms, that will really pay dividends later. MrU did a 10k for the first time recently ( I was on cheer duty with an injury) and said the best part was overtaking lots people at the end because he’d kept to the pre race schedule and not burned out too early.

Allow loads more time than you think for going to the loo! Also more time to travel than you think. Running late is no fun!

Head to Marathon and Race Support for some pom pom waving in your honour if you haven’t already!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

The main thing now is to keep telling yourself you’re ready and you can trust all the training you’ve done to get you round.

Good luck! 🏃‍♀️💪🤞

[RosesAreRed777 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to RosesAreRed777]

Hi  RosesAreRed777 ,  linda9389 has posted the pompoms over on the marathon forum.

[RosesAreRed777 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Done thanks

[CBDB Graduate10]

Oh how exciting! No specific advice from me, having only raced virtually,

But as others have said, join and have a browse through our sister forum, dedicated for supporting runners getting ready for races (and training for longer distances ) at healthunlocked.com/marathon...

And if you need a few virtual Pom Poms waving, drop a reply to this post and they will cheer you on healthunlocked.com/marathon...

And we’d love to hear how you have found it!

Awesome!!! Go you!!!

[Folkylass Administrator]

Lots of great advice here already. When I did mine in May this year I was nervous too aswell as excited.

Don’t start fast if you do this will knacker you out too quickly. Relax your legs and feet into a happy comfortable pace ,Don’t try to keep up with the rest of the crowd. Think of a happy distraction not how far you have to run because that will dampen your enthusiasm

So channel your thoughts to a happy place and just enjoy the moment,soak up the wonderful atmosphere and everything around you.

Remember that you won’t be the only one running their first 10k race and their probably just as nervous as you.

This is your race and yours to enjoy!👍😂😂.

Don’t forget to let us all know how brilliantly you did 👍🥰

[RosesAreRed777 Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Yes this seems to be the big thing. Don’t start too fast.

[Folkylass Administrator in reply to RosesAreRed777]

Yes I think that is key ! Don’t set off too fast and I’m sure you be fine👍😂😂x

[Pinkpig20 Graduate10]

Get there with plenty of time to spare, particularly if you need to pick up your number. Eat something you are used to for breakfast. Don’t do anything different on the day. Try not to start off too fast. Try and start a bit slower as then you can build your pace. Otherwise you can tire quicker. Enjoy it! 😀😀