June 2008 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Allie, Lynsey, and other runners...
I have been running for a year now and haven't done a race. There is one this Saturday that is a 5k in downtown Greenville. I want to sign up - but I'm apprehensive because I have no idea what to expect. Can you guys offer me any insight?
Packet pick up?
How do you deal with the crowds (there are ~1000 people signed up for this race)?
How do you pace yourself with the crowd?
How do you calm your nerves/jitters/excitement?
Anything else I should know?
Re: Allie, Lynsey, and other runners...
1. Definitely sign up. You will love it. Racing is very addictive (I think).
2. Packet pick up is usually pretty simple. I usually try to do it the day before the race if they offer that time. They usually offer packet pick up the morning of the race as well...although that tends to be more crowded. You just go into wherever they are having it, tell them your name, and get your packet. Your packet will have your bib (#), hopefully some safety pins to attached said bib, and sometimes some good coupons to other races or to local stores.
3. Dealing with the crowds can be one of the more tricky parts to racing. 1000 is a lot for a 5k...at least for around here. The key is to position yourself at the start of the race well. Try not to get stuck at the back because that is where the walkers should be. It's very exhausting and time consuming to weave in and out of walkers the first half mile of a race. But, you also don't want to position yourself at the very beginning because that's where the super fast people are (think 5 and 6 minute miles)...unless you are super speedy yourself, of course.
4. Just go at a comfortable pace for you. Chances are you are going to run a little bit quicker on race day than you normally do just because of the adrenaline in your system. It's great.
5. I don't have any great tips to calming your nerves, jitters, etc. Once you get started you will just fall into your pace along with the crowd and wonder what you were so nervous about to begin with.
6. I think a good piece of advice for your first is to try not to go out too fast. You don't want to make it 2.5 miles and then have to walk or really slow down (although there is nothing wrong with that either). I went into my first 5k without really any time expectations for myself...that way I was please with however it turned out. I would recommend doing the same.
7. Just try to relax and enjoy yourself. You will never have another FIRST 5k again.
Have fun! Let us know how it goes. HTH.
ps Pardon all spelling and grammar mistakes...I typed this up quick at work. Ha.
Agreed. I wouldn't even consider myself a runner (I can't even run the whole 5K yet), but I love the challenge and accomplished feeling. LOVE IT.
Also, I unhook my car key and shove it (as well as my inhaler - I'm asthmatic) down my sports bra. I also bring carry a water bottle with me, becaus I need more water just at the mile markers.
Go for it! you will totally love it. And if you've been running for a year you are more than ready.
I agree that the hardest part is the crowds. It's not as bad with a longer race because people space out pretty quickly (this half had just under 3000 participants. The one that I'm doing next month will have 20,000 participants). It can be frustrating at the beginning of a race, though, if there are a lot of people who don't know the etiquette and line up in front and then immediately start walking. Within a quarter mile or so, and with a little strategic weaving, it'll open up and you'll have plenty of room to do your thing.
In terms of pacing, just do what you usually do.Like Lyndsey said, you'll probably go a little bit faster than you usually do just because of the adrenaline (my training runs were typically around 10:20/mile leading up to this race, but then I surprised myself with 9:35-9:45 miles for the first 6 or so). Use your iPod if you usually do (and if the race allows it) and just run your own race! I bet the miles will fly by and it'll be over before you know it.
Last but not least: the only cure I know for nerves is to get out there and do it. Once you do one race, you'll know it's fun and not scary. I was surprised by myself, but I was really not that nervous leading up to this one. It may have been because I only had a 15 minutes drive to the start line instead of the usual hour +, so maybe I just didn't have time to psych myself out, but I think it also was just like, "I've done this before, I know I can do it, I don't really care about my time, just go out there and run like any other Sunday morning."
The nest just ate my reply, basically: ditto the ipod
Consider the Get to the Green 5k here in Cola in March. Ends in the St. Patty's Day celebration in 5 points, it's a much more relaxed race (people in costumes etc.). It is still normally crowded with a lot of walkers, but they try and remind people to group accordingly. Also, if the race in G'ville is organized by strictly running, you'll probably have a chip to tie on your shoe for official time - you get that day of even if you picked your packet up early. Enjoy!