Should I run the day before running a 5k race?

Question

I have a 5k race tomorrow morning, should I run tonight or just do nothing to rest my muscles up? Whats the best thing for me to eat tonight and in the morning before the race?

Answer 1

I usually go on a long walk, or a short easy run. Some people don't do anything which seems to work for them, but I have to do a little something to keep me loose.

Answer 2

When I was in cross-country, we ran for a shorter amount of time than usual the day before- our practice was only an hour instead of two and a half.

Answer 3

well yesterday you should have run atleast 5 miles.

I NEVER RUN THE DAY BEFORE A RACE

Answer 4

Yes but don't do anything extreme. Do a light run so at least you are still exercising but will not be burnt out for tomorrow. The best thing for you to eat tonight would probably be carbs and in the morning maybe a light breakfast. Good luck with your race!

Answer 5

That really depends on you, I usually run an easy jog the day before the race, nothing to speedy or long, maybe 3 – 5k.   Through depending on the level of your fitness and how long you usually run for it may not be a factor.  I have done training runs in the morning 10K – 15K and raced 5K in the evening of the same day.  

So it really is a matter of where 5K falls into your training.  If it is the longest you usually run Just go easy as above, maybe 3K at 1 – 1:30 minutes slower then race pace.  That should give you a nice run.

Harry

Answer 6

yes, but don't run hard.  go at a nice easy pace.  the goal is to keep your muscles loose.  i was in cc for 5 years and sometimes my coach would run us easy the day b4 a race n sometimes he'd cancel practice.  eventually he stopped cancelling because we ran better if we had an easy run it the day before.  it just helps out ur muscles keeping them loose and ready to run.  

today you should load up on carbs...lots of pasta and bread and that kind of thing.  carbs are energy, and by the time you digest it and the energy reaches your blood and muscles and everything, it'll be tomorrow...right when you need it!  some protein would be helpful too to help strengthen those muscles, but carbs are the most important thing to have the day before a race.  spaghetti and meatballs would be great for a day-before-the-race-meal.

in the morning, definitely stay hydrated.  don't drink milk cuz that can make you phlem up and make it harder to breath.  drink water or gaterade or something like that...but stay away from really sugary drinks/foods.  pop is especially bad.  for a breakfast food, stick with carbs again.  maybe a muffin, toast, biscuit, or dry cereal (a little milk in your cereal probably won't hurt).  those would all be good.  what you eat that morning doesnt matter as much as the night before, just make sure you don't fill completely up (to avoid throwing up) and don't eat for at least an hour before the race (also to avoid throwing up). 2 hours would be better if you have enough time.

good luck!

Answer 7

You Should Have Been Running Every Day Leading Up To The Race. Including The Day Before. Foods That Are High In Carbohydrates.

Answer 8

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Definitely skip the run tonight.  You're not going to get into any better shape running tonight.  More likely you will end up with muscles a bit more tired and even knotted up than they would be if you didn't run.

If you do have energy to burn, you would be better off doing any non-leg workout, for example, swimming; or at most, go for a 30 minute walk.

A 5K race isn't one that's long enough to require you to carbo load.  Though it may be a bit late to give this advice, I would advise you to eat no meat (or cheese or peanut butter) the day before a race.  You want anything you've ingested the day before to be out of your system way before the race starts, so you don't have the "urge to go" when the race starts.

Eat light, eat simple, eat before 8 p.m. tonight.

Tomorrow morning, 3-4 hours before the race, do plain toast or granola bars.  Sometimes it's also good to start the a.m. of a race with coffee (I don't advise cola of any type these days), just to help you to have as empty a system as you can when the race starts.

Have a good one!

Regards,

Phil