5K race tonight... out of shape need suggestions?

Question

I'm running a 5K race tonight and I haven't done any sort of running for the past 7 months. I do strength training but am scared of how bad my cardio is going to be after this long break.

Any suggestions on how to pace myself or anything else that may help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

A great thing to do is to make sure you're eating the right foods.

Food high in carbohydrates are great to eat before a race because they'll give you lots of energy.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar including candy and soda. Replace them with high-starch, low-fat foods - bread, crackers and pasta - since they tend to digest easily.

Allow adequate time for digestion - three to four hours for a large meal, two to three hours for a smaller meal and less than an hour for a small snack.

Make sure you eat some energy gel before you run as well. Make sure you're hydrated good.

Good luck. :)

Answer 2

All good suggestions especially 2 & 3rd answers. Just remember to start really slow, that will make it easier at the finish. Try enjoying by chatting and making some new friends, look around at the scenery etc, break it into segments say 1km splits and say 'right I have acheived that, onto the next km'.

Answer 3

I would not race this run with a timed goal, its not realistic.  Just keep your pace at a comfortable pace (if your able to carry a conversation, thats good), take short walk breaks (ex.:  run 10min., walk 1min.)  Run with shorter strides will take less energy (shuffle like strides, to speed up, quicken your cadence) and can help you run farther, longer.

Good luck :)

Answer 4

Check out this website to make you a better runner an to know more info about your running. good luck!!!

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoa...

Answer 5

If you can help it dont stop. It is harder on your lungs if you stop then all of a sudden are running again.