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Getting seriously nervous for my race on Saturday

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Saturday is my first ever 10K race, and I am really getting nervous. I don't know why, really. I did not intend to peak for this race--I want to peak for the fall race season for a 10K in October. This is supposed to be my "dress rehearsal" for that race, right? Doesn't matter, I'm still nervous.

I've never run the 10K distance, not even in training. I ran a 6-miler one day, ran 5 miles last Sunday and near 4 miles today. I'm supposed to be "tapering" down for the race, but I keep finding it hard to cut back, mostly because of my uncertainty. I'll rest Friday, but I'm waffling about tomorrow--cross-training? I usually do the elliptical. Or an easy run? The 4 miles was fairly easy today, but I was pretty slow. Almost 41 minutes, and I never had to stop and wait at any stoplights.

I've never been a runner, never trained with a coach. Am I overtraining? Should I rest for two days before the race? Aaaagh!

Fortunately, next year I am going to join the local running club and have a coach. Since the remainder of this year is so short for running season, I cannot afford to pay for coaching, but I will for next year. I need guidance!!
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • ARCHIMEDESII
    Don't worry ! You're going to do great ! When you head to that starting line, you're going to be surrounds by hundreds of other runners ! Soak up all that energy ! Because when you start running, the adrenaline rush is going to surge through you. ENJOY !!

    Also, don't try to go out too fast too soon. A lot of runners make that mistake. I'm one of them. LOL. Go at your own pace. I know the urge to run as fast as everyone else will make you want to go faster, fight that urge. What happens is that everyone goes out too fast and end up slowing down and walking 2-3 miles in. So, if you want to be able to run the entire race, you've got to keep to your own pace.

    AND... hit the water stations ! You may not think you're dehydrated, but you are once you start running. I made that mistake too i.e. thought I could get through the whole race without hitting a water stop. Well, I made it across the finish line, but it wasn't pretty. eh-hem...

    Try not to worry ! As far as exercise, you should start tapering off. Don't do anything intense for the next two days. otherwise, you won't have enough energy for the run. It's okay to rest these two days. In fact, if you do, you will have a better run because your muscles won't be fatigued from any other workout.

    You are going to have a marvelous time ! Soak up all that energy around you. drink plenty of water and go at your own pace.

    Have a good time !

    emoticon
    3450 days ago
  • KAYOTIC
    Good luck! You've gotten some great advice already.....I'd take the rest days (it's only 2 days....) and enjoy the race! You will run better on fresh legs.
    3450 days ago
  • BECKYANNE1
    Good Luck! Being able to run a 10k is awesome. I hope to do a 5k next year.
    3450 days ago
  • CHALLENGER15
    I am anxious to hear how you do! You are already tops in my book!
    3450 days ago
  • THEHONESTME
    I don't have any of the answers, but I'm proud of you and your accomplishments and I know you will do just fine!! I'd think nervousness comes with the territory (trying something knew and pushing your boundaries)!
    YOU GO GIRL!! Be sure to let us know how it goes :)
    3450 days ago
  • YIBYAB
    I follow CODE around like a puppy dog, and her activity feed led me here.

    I think BlackRose offers sage advice. You ran 5 on Sunday and 4 miles today? I'd suggest you don't need to run anymore before Saturday. As BlackRose said, your training is done. Nothing you do now is going to better prepare you for Saturday other than allowing yourself sufficient rest and recovery time. If you just need a psychological run, make Thursday your last day, and keep it light and easy.

    You could always just treat Saturday as a training run rather than a race, in which case you'd just work it into your training schedule. Use it to orient yourself to how these events go and kind of demystify things a little. Or allow yourself to enjoy the festivities rather than worrying about setting bars or meeting goals. Some of my favorite race events have been those when I just basked in the celebration and didn't worry about performance. You can save the personal competition for the October race.

    But either way, use Friday as a rest day, or if you can't do that, just workout (not run) at a level of intensity and duration just to burn off a little pent up energy and stay loose. Resist the urge to cram. It never works.

    I'd wish you luck, but I don't believe in it and you wouldn't need it if it did.
    emoticon
    3450 days ago

    Comment edited on: 9/14/2011 1:46:59 PM
  • CODEMAULER
    I'm not a runner, so I don't know. I'll send good thoughts and wishes for sound guidance to help you through these pre-event days.

    emoticon
    3451 days ago
  • NYC_NATIVE
    An important question to ask is if you're feeling tired. If that's the case, step back and do easy cross-training, or just go for a walk.

    You ran 6 miles - that means you're ready for the 10K. I wouldn't be worried if your easy 4-miler was slow. Easy runs are meant to be run slower than usual. Most of my easy runs are currently in the 10:30-11 min./mi pace. But I can easily crank out an 8:30 min/mi pace at a 10K race, if I'm well-rested. Just have fun on this 10K, and remember, you have your October race, too!
    3451 days ago

    Comment edited on: 9/14/2011 11:28:37 AM
  • no profile photo CD1035627
    Tapering is the hardest thing - but it REALLY does help. Don't run the day before, trust me. Cross training is fine - you can even include that in your Tapering, in the future (if you feel like a 3 M isn't enough, add a little bit of Cross Training). But there is nothing you can do up to a week before the race, that is going to help with your training. You have already learned as much as you are going to.

    Woo hoo! You are going to rock this! Hang in there, and take it in baby steps! I'm going to add you as a friend so I can check up on how you did! emoticon
    3451 days ago

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