Tips to Run Your First Race (My Experience)

Running a race is a very exciting challenege. The adrenaline you feel in the countdown to start, people cheering you up at the sides of the street, your family cheering you up at the finish line or even during the race course (yes, that's my grandmas hand waving at me on the pic below!) the runners you meet and run with during the whole race and the moment you see the finish line and run even faster than you believe you can. It's a really rewarding experience. One year ago I ran my first 10k and a few more years ago 5k. During the last mile of the race my mind played me a bad time, I just wanted to stop. Suddenly a runner from behind gave me a pat on the back and ran with me during the end of the race.

Since that day the excitement I felt became my motivation to run. That same day I st myself the goal to run a half marathon in a year. With a lot of preparation, deidcation and passion I did it. I read, I learnt, I fell and got up again, participated in a lot of races and today I can proudly say that I ran my first half marathon. So I wanted to give you tips based on my experience to help you love and enjoy a little more your first, second, or any race and make it a time to always remember.

6 Tips to Prepare Yourself for Running a Race

1. Prepare Mentally

Runnig a race it's not only a physical challenge but a mental challenge. The time when your mind says 'I can't, I'm gonna stop' is gonna come somehow but that's the moment you need to be stronger than any other, be persisten and resist (mentally). Remember what you're doing and why, how far you've come and how strong you are. And remember than the mind leads the body wherever you want to take it. When you believe it everything is possible.

2. Follow a Training Plan

Running a race requires at least 3 months of preparation. Start running 3 days a week and follow a plan. You can look for it online or even join a running group and have a professional opinion. The more you are prepared the better.

3. Know What You Are Capable Of

During your training you'll get to know yourself and listen to your body. Only time will let you know your running posture, your pace and what works best for you. Try to improve your posture in each training, relaxed shoulders, breathing and relaxed hands.

4. Practice Mantras

What you think during the race will be your gasoline that your body needs to run. During your training think about a mantra like "I'm not gonna stop" or "I am capable of doing this" and repeat them as much as you need to strenghten your willpower, on the race day you'll thank yourself.

5. Get Motivated

Find something that motivates you to get to the finish line. My motivation is my family and running with them, and never giving up during the race. Set achievable goals like keeping up a constant pace, not walking, improving times or just passing the finish line. Read runner's books, watch Usain Bolt at the Olympics, quotes or anything that motivates you.

6. Surround Yourself With Positive People

It's not worth surrounding yourself with people who don't appreciate what you do and criticize you along the way. There's nothing better than having your family and friends supporting you at the finish line and hugging them after, or even better running with them by your side.

10 Tips for the Race Day

1. Hydrate and Eat Carbs

One week before the race increase your carbs and water intake. 5 days increase the amount of complex carbs such as whole wheat pasta and bread and 3 days before the amount of simple carbs such as pasta, white bread. Eat pasta at night the day before, jsut try to avoid heavy sauces. Your body will sotre glycogen on your blood that will be used as gasoline and you'll have more energy the next day. Double your water intake a week before, your body will thank you!

2. Leave Everything Ready the Night Before

Prepare your outfit, competition number, headphones, even breakfast. There's nothing worse than waking up late to prepare everything. You don't wanna miss anything!

3. Usa Vaseline Don't Wear New Shoes

Friction! Your worst enemy during the race! I didin't know this until It happed, my legs and feet ended up with blisters that hurt during weeks. spread vaseline on the places of your body where there's friction like your armpits, thights, nipples, feet, betwen your finger toes, etc. Don't use new shoes and clothes the day of the race or you'll end up with more blisters.

4. Arrive Early

Organization will always fail in this type of events. Roads will be closed and lots of people will be entering at the same time. To avoid this try to get as early as you can, you don't wanna miss the asisted warming up.

5. Go at Your Own Pace, Breathe and Don't Stop!

Start slowly during the first miles, you don't wanna waste your energy at the beginning. Runners will pass you by, don't try to make it a competition with them, the ocompetition is with yourself. They will be tired in the last miles. Don't ever stop, if you do running again will be very difficult. Keep a comfortable pace and go slower if you need to but don't stop.

6. Don't Throw Away the Medal or Running Number

The medal is a prize you get at the end, don't throw it away! It will be a beautiful memory. I like to hang my medals and competition numberswhere I can see them, they motivate me. Don't throw away your number, it was your company during the race.

7. Rest

Don't leave without stretching. Take at least 20 minutes to stretch every single muscle of your body when you finish, the night of that day and the next few days. Take a week to rest and stretch, do some yoga and eat well. A foam rolling is a great help for runners too. give your body the time it needs to rest properly.

8. Enjoy!

The most important thing here is to have fun. You're runnig to enjoy it, I'f you're not happy doing it then don't. Smile, breathe and enjoy every single step you make, feel the adrenaline and running chills you get. What I enjoy the most is running with my family. We like to wear clothes or write things to be different from the other runners like the pic below. Spread your emotion and share your happiness with other runners and have fun.