Signed up for an 8K this weekend in cold weather HELP!

[virginiamama]

What am I getting myself into? I'm signing up for an 8K in Williamsburg VA this weekend. I am a new runner/walker and I was training for a 5K at the end of the summer and could easily run at least half of it, but have not exercised much since the time change (a month or more) except for walking 8 miles a day at WDW a couple of weeks ago. I walked/ran 8K on my treadmill last night and averaged 15 minute miles without totally exhausting myself. (I wanted to see if I could actually do it before I signed up.) I'm worried that the cold will affect me. I'm worried that running the treadmill vs. running outdoors is giving me a false sense that I can really run that far outside. And there is a 1 1/2 hour time limit. I figured if I could complete a 5K with walking about half of it, that it would be a challenge for me to try an 8K, but now I'm afraid!!!

Also, I have no clue what to wear. The forecast is for about 30deg. that morning!

 

[cewait]

General Rule of thumb for a 30F start….

First, you will want to feel cool to almost cold as you are standing for the start. If you feel nice, warm and toasty you are more than likely over dressed.
For a 5 mile race you really just need shorts and a sleeved top. For pre-race I would have an old shirt that I did not mind losing or better layer in two layers of tech tops and just tie one around your waist if you over heat. I would be in shorts for the race, or if windy maybe a set of tights but generally shorts for a shorter race. You may want to pick up a cheap pair of gloves to keep you hans warm and wear a hat for your head.

As far as heading out from the comfort of a treadmill to a cold race that is not going to affect yu in a negative way… or if it does it you may have a runny nose to deal with that you would not develop on a treadmill. Your speed should increase and stamina increase slightly. This is due to less energy being devoted to keeping cool.

Sounds like you are more than ready and just go have a great time.

 

[ohMom]

i wouldn't worry about outside vs treadmill either...i think we are hesitant to use whichever one is not normal. for me TM takes for.ev.er...

you will be enjoying the course and the people and having a great time!

what is your pace? i could offer my thoughts on what to wear if our paces are close

 

[natale1980]

I trained for my 5k on the treadmill.
The first time I ran outside was race day. It was so much easier then the treadmill.
Your going to have a blast!!!

-nat

 

[virginiamama]

Thank you for the responses.

@ cewait Shorts, really??? I will think about that, maybe just keep sweats on until almost race time.

@ohMom. Yes, the 5 miles on the treadmill was excruciatingly boring, I had to recruit my kids to keep me company. Without pushing too hard I am around a 15 minute/mile pace average. I am only 5 feet tall, so it takes a LOT of steps per mile for me.

@nat, thanks for the encouragement. I am WAY out of my comfort zone with this race thing. My main goal is to not embarrass myself! I am just a worrywart, so I'm hoping I'll relax when race day comes.

 

[virginiamama]

Just wanted to say a big Thank You to those that replied. I had a great time. I was really motivated to keep a faster pace and not walk very much during the race. I ended up mainly doing a slow jog and only slowing to a walk for a minute or so a few times.

The clothing suggestions were great. I wore shorts under thin gym pants so I could take off the pants if I got hot. I finished in 54 minutes, so I was at around an 11 minute pace. I also picked up an amphipod running belt from REI to hold my iPod, gloves, tissues, and gum. I highly recommend them , it did not bounce around at all.

So, thanks again, I'm already looking for another race to run!