The day of the race...

Posted by: Top Cat on 17 June 2004

Hiya folks.

Tomorrow I am entering and running in my first race. I've been training twice or three times a week for three months or so, and I'm feeling pretty excited about it. It's a 5 mile run from a seaside town, out across sandbanks, round a big rock and back. At the finishing line is a pub with a beer and a banana included in the entry price. So, motivation!

Anyway, never having done this before, I was wondering if anyone had any tips about what to eat, drink and do on the day of the race. Obviously this is no marathon, but being run across various banks of sand (some dry, some wet) it could be quite demanding anyway.

So, what sorts of foods should I eat tonight and tomorrow, and are there any tips for the couple of hours leading up to the race, during the race and afterwards?

I know this isn't your normal Padded Cell sort of topic but I would really appreciate any advice - I'm not planning to win it (if only!) but would like to do as well as I can and so I think preparation must be worth looking into.

Thanks,

John

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Dev B

John,

Five miles is nothing at all, if you are reasonably fit it should be a doddle.

Jeez.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Top Cat

quote:
Five miles is nothing at all, if you are reasonably fit it should be a doddle.

That's what I think - I'm reasonably fit, running about 6 or 7 miles a week, walking about the same and doing rowing classes once a week. However, running on sand...

That's the scary bit - isn't that going to make it so much more difficult?

I realise this seems daft for such a piddling little race, but I'm keen to do as well as I can as I was the kind of guy at school who was always amongst the last at cross country, so this will be a little achievement for me...

From this, I'll progress to a 10K, and maybe a marathon within a year or two (a thing I've flirted with for a few years now).

John

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Alex S.

John, a fine upgrade path. Presumably, when you're at marathon level you'll decide it was all a waste of time and revert to jogging round the block.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Top Cat

Touché, my dear laddie. Such wit, you should be on the telly

John

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by count.d

John,

As Dev has already said, 5 miles is pretty short.

A carbo loading diet (high protein/little carbo for the 5th, 4th & 3rd day before, then high carbo/little protein for the 2nd & day before) is not going to make any difference on your short distance, because your body won't need to feed off it's reserves. The important thing is to have a light meal the night before, eg pasta or fish.

Morning meal should be light again like toast.

The key to a good race is loads of sleep. Go to bed early and try and get 9-10 hours sleep. No alcohol night before.

Don't load yourself with liquid on the morning, you won't need it at this distance.

You'll find that the race will be over quicker than you imagined as you'll be hyped up for it and you'll have plenty of runners around you.

Best of luck and let us know your time.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Nigel Cavendish

TC

Firstly, ignore Dev.

If you have never run 5 miles in one go it is not necessarily a doddle.

The Count has more sensible advice.

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Dan M

TC,

I agree with the count. Also
1) Remember to relax and enjoy yourself
2) Pace yourself, especially early on. Resist the urge to keep up with everyone
3) Drink lots afterwards (not just beer)
4) Don't overdress -- it's OK to be a little cold at the beginning of a race.

Dan

Posted on: 18 June 2004 by Top Cat

Thanks, guys. Not long now. Interestingly enough, I've done some more research and depending on the tide some of this race could be run in water half way up to my knees. So that might make the 5 miles seem a bit trickier...!!

The start is 8pm, and I'm aiming for a time at or around 42 minutes for the 5 or so miles. Might depend on the tide

I'm a curious mix of excitement, dread and nerves, as I've never done anything like this before, so I'm kinda looking forward to it but also wondering how the heck I'm going to do...

Confidence, confidence...

Basically, a mile or so uphill at the start, then downhill onto the beach, running out across the sandbanks round a rock at low-tide (and probably wellies might make sense here) then back. Record is something in the region of a little over 20 minutes, which seems incredible considering the unusual nature of the running surface. I'll be delighted to break 40 minutes, and more than a bit amazed...

Wish me luck!

John

Posted on: 20 June 2004 by Markus S

So?

Posted on: 20 June 2004 by count.d

I fear he may have drowned.

Posted on: 20 June 2004 by Mr.Tibbs

TC was quick, but the sand was quicker...

Mr Tibbs

Posted on: 20 June 2004 by count.d

He was a nice guy aswell. I feel really bad that I never wished him good luck.

Top Cat, if you are listening, we'll all miss you.

Posted on: 20 June 2004 by long-time-dead

quote:
TC was quick, but the sand was quicker...

New thread - "What skis for Top Cat"

Posted on: 21 June 2004 by Top Cat

I'm back!

Tough race (though not very long) - 3 miles or so over sand, much as per the photo (without the skis, though at times I did wonder if I was destined to be sucked under the sand...). Also, it was blawin' a hooley on the outward leg and the rain got us too. So, sare nips, as they say up here...

Due to lack of sand-running experience, and hassles running through 3"+ of water at times, I managed ~43mins. Not particularly quick but it was a lot of fun, and I was 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the field, so no prizes for me.

So, I enjoyed it, and the beer & banana at the end was most appreciated. Next year I plan to smash through the 40 minute barrier, which is ~8 minute miles, which sounds pretty easy but the sand, the sand, the sand...!!!

John