Pre-race Preparation

[PaloAltoCougar]

OK, so it's not so much a "race" as a "contest not to die." Throwing caution to the wind, we're doing a 10K Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morn. My only other organized run was the same event last year. I may be in better shape than I was last year, but I don't run all that much. I'd like to beat last year's time (a 9:10/mile average, so so for a 57 year-old newb), but I'm not sure I have it in me. I ran 10K this morning and managed only a 9:25. But I've been working out at the gym 2-3 days a week, and yesterday did leg lifts, curls, squats, etc. so my wheels were a bit trashed. I typically do something (ride, run or lift) everyday except NFL Sunday, and wonder what would produce the best result next Thursday. Do I push hard for another few days, and then take a couple of days off before the event? How much rest, if any, do you runners grab before your big runs? Any performance enhancements you can recommend?

[Pheidippides]

OK, so it's not so much a "race" as a "contest not to die." Throwing caution to the wind, we're doing a 10K Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morn. My only other organized run was the same event last year. I may be in better shape than I was last year, but I don't run all that much. I'd like to beat last year's time (a 9:10/mile average, so so for a 57 year-old newb), but I'm not sure I have it in me. I ran 10K this morning and managed only a 9:25. But I've been working out at the gym 2-3 days a week, and yesterday did leg lifts, curls, squats, etc. so my wheels were a bit trashed. I typically do something (ride, run or lift) everyday except NFL Sunday, and wonder what would produce the best result next Thursday. Do I push hard for another few days, and then take a couple of days off before the event? How much rest, if any, do you runners grab before your big runs? Any performance enhancements you can recommend?

Here are some thoughts that I have:

- I always take a day off the day before a race. Three for a marathon (counting running a simple mile as rest at that point). Maybe two days for a 10k or half marathon. Total rest - no lifting, no nothing.

- A trick that a friend turned me on to is Imodium AD the night before the race and morning of. Worked wonders on my bowels, which are always problematic the morning of (no matter how short the race is).

- The last run before my race, I wear my race outfit to make sure I'm comfortable with it.

- I get plenty of sleep the night before the night before to the nervous tossing the night before is mitigated.

- If you really are keen on doing well this race, I'd start tapering back your activities now. Lift, but don't go all out. Run, but go at easy slow paces for shorter distances. Let your body fully recover. It is amazing what that will do for you.

[OhioBlue]

Any performance enhancements you can recommend?

Definitely caffeinated sports beans.

Or some pre-race relations.

Seriouisly though PAC I think you win the cuffie for most egregiously silly self-effacement. Running a time like that for a noob runner, with the, uh, maturity of your body and not much training....well let's just say if that's just "so-so" then my name is Dwight Schrute and the answer to your question above is most assuredly "beets."

Good luck, try to have fun, and no more pooh-poohing a 9-and-change pace.