so my fun foot race is Saturday.

[vash]

10k. 6.2 miles for us.

i dont even know what to do? do i take tomorrow off? no morning jog?

i think i am just going to show up...ratty shirt, hat. good attitude. do i eat? holy hell, i am so not anything close to an athlete.

i figure a chorizo and egg burrito would be a bad decision. ahhaha...

[masraum]

Is easy the day before, probably something with complex carbs (rice, pasta, etc).
I don't think running the day before would be an issue or required, but I'd make it a light, easy run. Wouldn't want to overdo it it injure yourself.

[rwest]

I have a running coach and he would have me run 1.5 miles at an easy pace along with some high knee running and a few 50-150 meter strides the day before.

You will want to eat high carb foods two days before the race. I cramp very easily, so I try to eat light and stop four hours before my race starts. I drink about 20-30 ounces of Gatorade and water in the hours up to the race and maybe some Swedish Fish candy, which I seem to be able to stomach.

Here’s the sucky part on race day- you really should do a 1.5 mile warm up easy run about 40 minutes before the race start and then a 1.5 mile easy cool down afterwards! Now if you are just treating it as a fun run and aren’t going to go hard, you can just run the first bit easy to warm up without getting an injury.

Good luck!

[IROC]

I used to run a lot of 5k races. My prep consisted essentially of what you've noted - show up with a good attitude. If you're used to running that distance, then you'll be fine.

[Tobra]

You are devoting too much consideration to this decision.

[LWJ]

It all depends. Are you going 99.9% effort? If so, follow the runners advice above. If having a good time? Chorizo burrito is fine.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Tobra

You are devoting too much consideration to this decision.

someone told me about the sweeper van....i am not getting a van ride.

[Les Paul]

Just start at an easy pace and start picking people off if you feel good

[Tobra]

^good advice^ start at a walking pace

This will extend the time you are operating aerobically and greatly improve your efficiency

[LEAKYSEALS951]

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by Tobra

^good advice^ start at a walking pace

This will extend the time you are operating aerobically and greatly improve your efficiency

also start at the back of the pack.
your confidence will improve as you pick off the stragglers

wait a minute... that's not green. Your confidence really will improve as you reel in the stragglers...

[ramonesfreak]

I would bring my skateboard and ride that and carry along a bed pan. Good luck.

[Alan A]

If you can’t actually run a 10k - and your first comment implies that - don’t even try.
Walk it and jog bits of it as you feel able. 6 miles for a non athlete isn’t a joke.

I run 5x5ks a week. Not a flex - I’m old and slow and it’s on a treadmill indoors.
The first time I pushed it out and ran 10k had me needing a cortisone shot in my knee. The extra distance when I wasn’t used to it didn’t work so well…

[look 171]

This is a 10k, fun run? Go there, run it and drink the beer after. I am sure you have done 6 miles before around the neighborhood so do that and jsut don't go out too hard. Once the excitement is gone after the first mile, things will settle down and you will find your pace and keep it or adjust when necessary. If its one of those fun runs, it isn't a race. Finish, get your tee shirt, a metal, and a beer or meal. I can tell you now, you WILL not be dead last. If anything, and you have been running, you will finish mid pack. Enjoy. Hey man, just don't let the girls beat ya

[vash]

did a light jog this morning and let Hank carry his frisbee. did a few long bomb tosses and coincidentally, my dog pulled a hammy....hahha.. he is limping.

[Rapewta]

Don't need to eat before run. Maybe a piece of toast & coffee.
Start out slow. If you feel fresh after the last aid station, Kick out the jams and go bonkers.
Hit the water stations with a good 4 0z of water.
You will do just fine. Enjoy. Keep the "first" T-Shirt.

Me....36 min 10 k. 16 min 5k. Mile 4:44 and marathon... 2.56.
All while in my mid thirties. Very addictvie hobby. Shoes are as important as water.

[Tobra]

shoes are more important than water

[911 Rod]

^^^ Best advice yet. Yes, wear shoes!

[javadog]

My experience suggests that you should not eat a Fudgesicle right before the race.

All I got.

[rwest]

My new Saturday morning routine is two run about a mile and three quarters to a bakery, buy three donuts, run back home and consume two of the donuts and then have the last one later in the day!

I know the HS girl that works there, so this week, I think I’m going to let her randomly select the 3 donuts so that it will be a surprise to me when I get home- don’t think you can get a bad donut.

It’s good to have running goals.