A Newbie’s Guide: How to Get Ready for your First 5K Race (the Minnie)

[heartbeeps]

I thought I’d start capturing "how to start a 5K race" in a thread and continue to update it as I learn more from this board.

Can you help by telling me what I am missing from my plan below? (After all, as a first timer, I don’t know what I don’t know and didn’t even know I needed to bring safety pins!)

1. Get Started
• Figure out an exercise program that will work for you
• Select a target goal (i.e., finish the Minnie 5K in 45 minutes)
• Walk! Jog! Run! Work your program

2. Get Dressed
• Wear clothing that features wicking capabilities
• Undies –
• Shorts –
• Shirt –
• Socks –
• Shoes – allow enough time to break in new shoes or wear existing
• Body Glide

3. Get Ready
• Lay out clothes night before
• Pin bib to shirt with safety pins
• Body glide my feet before putting on socks

4. Go
• Have fun and enjoy making memories
• Take pictures

Some outstanding questions:
1. What do you bring along with you as you race (i.e., fanny pack, cell phone, wallet)?
2. What do you do with a GPS and how do you carry that?
3. Will they close the roads for the 5K?
4. What time should I arrive for the 5K?
5. What should I eat the morning of the 5K?
6. What should I eat the day before the 5K?
7. What's a W.I.S.H. and how/why do you join?

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hello and welcome to the Wish Forum . I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can from my experiences...others may have additional comments...

Some outstanding questions:
1. What do you bring along with you as you race (i.e., fanny pack, cell phone, wallet)? For a 5K i just run without anything extra as the distance doesn't typically require a fanny pack, hydration or fuel other than what's provided on the course. A cell phone and ID may be necessary if you are running alone but I haven't found the need to run with those in the past at this distance.
2. What do you do with a GPS and how do you carry that? It's typically in watch form for runners. It's usually used during training to calculate your distance, pace and potentially HR during a run.
3. Will they close the roads for the 5K? Yes all 5Ks that I've run had closed roads. In terms of the Minnie...it is run within epcot this I believe so no road closures are necessary.
4. What time should I arrive for the 5K? I would get there an hour before...at Disney you may need additional transportation time and make arrangements for that in advance.
5. What should I eat the morning of the 5K? Whatever you have been eating during your training runs...something light...some don't eat at all...but I find an energy bar is best for me. It's something you usually try out in advance.
6. What should I eat the day before the 5K? For a 5K just stick with eating healthy...carb loading isn't completely necessary for a 5K but a pasta dinner the night before any running activity never hurts. Just don't go too heavy with your dinner.
7. What's a W.I.S.H. and how/why do you join? Wish is the forum here and we tend to meet up at Disney races, and other races across the country. You can purchase a T-Shirt or Hat via another thread. It stands for We're Inspired to Stay Healthy. It's a friendly forum of people who enjoy staying fit and healthy, and in many cases doing running and other athletic events throughout the year.

Best of luck with your first race .

 

[heartbeeps]

Hello and welcome to the Wish Forum . I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can from my experiences...others may have additional comments...

Some outstanding questions:
1. What do you bring along with you as you race (i.e., fanny pack, cell phone, wallet)? For a 5K i just run without anything extra as the distance doesn't typically require a fanny pack, hydration or fuel other than what's provided on the course. A cell phone and ID may be necessary if you are running alone but I haven't found the need to run with those in the past at this distance. ....

Thanks AmyBeth68! I appreciate your insight.

Umm, how does one grab the water while still keeping pace? I can't afford to hesitate a second or I'll be swept for sure! Is there a technique? And bathroom breaks - FORGET IT! I'm just not going there.

 

[getnthinr]

I do carry my cell phone and ID at the Minnie 5K, as well as my car key, room key, and park tickets. My situation may be a tad different than others though, in that I have teens I need to rendezvous with after the race (who can be tough to find in the crowd and will likely arrive late -- hence the phone) and we'll be going directly to Disneys Hollywood Studios (Disney MGM) for early opening right after the race.

At any other 5K in the "outside world" though, I'd be right there with Amy Beth -- the less I carry, the happier I am.

 

[windwalker]

Another thing you can do is join a team to help you stay motivated and get help along the way.

Recruiting Panda

 

[joan4mickey]

Worst case scenario your bib number can be used to ID you should it become necessary.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Heartbeeps (love the screen name btw)..

The drinking while racing thing is tricky IMO...still haven't mastered it without getting myself soaked. If it worries you, then maybe a fanny pack that will hold cell phone, ID and water bottle would be in order for you ....that way you can just squeeze the water bottle out and not worry about drinking from those cups. Just another thought!

You're so organized that you are going to do GREAT! Don't you worry!

 

[Cruella de mom]

If you are worried about slowing down for water then skip the water and just run through the middle of the stations. (Watch your step as the ground at a water station can get very slick especially if they are serving a sports drink as well.) However, if you are planning on skipping the water stops then definately drink something before the race and immediately after the race.

Also, plan on hitting one of the portapotties before the race. Hopefully that will take care of any bathroom decisions for the entire race.

AmyBeth's answers were all right on, but I want to add one thing: Do not try any new food the day before or the morning of the race. Your going to be a tad nervous so your stomach does not need anything unusual to deal with. Pasta is the traditional prerace food, but sometimes its not the best choice. Restaurants tend to be a tad "creative" with their pastas. If I am not eating at home, I try to eat at a restaurant I familiar with so I know what I am getting. (I prefer a small steak and a baked potato for my prerace meal)

And a race is not the time to try gu or clif shots or sport beans for the first time either. If they give you some, save them for your next run at home. After the race though, anything goes!

Also, if you are going to meet someone at the finish then have a specific spot designated. Usually Disney races have reunion spots with the alphabet above them.

Next thought: Look for the Lime green shirts before the start and go over and introduce yourself. Don't worry about not "knowing" anyone - chances are they just met in person for the first time.

 

[princessrunner]

Heartbeeps: Love the name too, lol. I reinforce everything everyone has said here prior. One thing is to remember to pin your number to the FRONT of your shirt or you will spend days and days searching through the lost and found photos for the pics of you.

I have not mastered the water stop thing and usually walk through taking my water and then speeding up again afterward. I am surprised all my photos do not have dribble down the front of me!! Someday, I hope to be a professional, lol.

As for eating, I do a protein bar and some PB on a bagel or oatmeal depending on race timing. Whatever works for you. I also cannot do the pasta dinner before any race, no matter the length, it gives me horrible heartburn all night and I cannot sleep. Experiment and do what is best for your body. A 5K is a great time to experiment as if you do something wrong, you don't suffer for long, lol.

Best of luck and I hope you have a great experience!!

 

[twoWDWfools]

On the water thing, I've figured out if I "pinch" the top of the cup (kinda fold it in) it creates a mini funnel effect and I can actually get water in my versus on me. Most of it at least.

Good luck and definitely stop on over to the crowd of lime green shirts and say hello!