Let’s be real: Signing up for your first race is a little scary. And that goes for any size or distance race. You don’t have to jump head first into a triathlon to feel a little nervous. Even staring at the registration page of a 5K can give you butterflies.
But never fear, Ashley Hudson is here. She’s serving as chair of the Junior League of Little Rock’s third annual Downtown Dash 10K/5K, and she’s got six tips to help you get ready for your first official race.
So lace up the sneakers, grab your sweatband and take a deep breath. You’re doing this thing.
1. Pick your race.
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, so commit early and pick a goal race. The JLLR’s Downtown Dash is a great first race – it’s on a flat, fast course downtown, it’s got a family-friendly atmosphere with fun stuff for the kids after you finish and it’s got two distances to choose from depending on where you are in your training.
2. Make a plan.
Now that you have your goal, sit down and figure out how to reach it. Picking a good training program will not only keep you motivated, but sticking to a plan will help keep you from doing too much too soon and getting injured. There are tons of great (free!) training plans to choose from. If you’re starting from scratch, don’t be afraid to start your plan with walking, and then build in short intervals of running. As you start to train, take your time and listen to your body. You’ll be to the finish line before you know it!
3. Get fitted for shoes and accessorize!
Make sure you have the right gear for the job. There are lots of amazing gadgets and gear to make running more fun (and fashionable). Here are the essentials to consider: technical-wicking socks, a good water bottle and most importantly, good shoes! Take the time to get fitted at a local running store with a good pair of running shoes. Ask lots of questions and don’t be shy about being a newbie – everyone starts somewhere! Your feet and legs will thank you.
4. Pick your tunes.
Load your iPhone with music that gets your feet moving. A good beat will help you find your pace, so choose upbeat music that inspires you to keep moving. And don’t forget – you’ll be wearing headphones, so no one has to know if your running jams came from your kids’ playlists.
5. Fuel your body.
As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. Make sure you’re feeding your body the fuel it needs to carry you to the finish line. Don’t skip meals, and in the days before the race, and make sure you hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
6. Have fun!
When race day comes, enjoy it! You worked hard to get here, so take it all in. Make sure to get lots of pictures and celebrate your success!
If you’re interested in signing up for the Downtown Dash on April 23, click here.