Advice on 5k beach run?

celestial

I am taking part in a 5k beach race on 9 June and just looking for some tips. I work out regularly but am totally new to running in any serious form. I did a couple of 3k runs the week before last, had a break last week and have managed to get in a 5.6k run this week (today).

I reckon I can run 5k in about 30-35 mins, haven't timed myself yet. My goal would be to get this to 25 mins or below for the race, but I am actually more interested in doing the race to finish it and for the experience, to enjoy the first one an' all!:)

I'll be training 3-4 times a week all going well for the next month til race day. I reckon the Hal Higdon plan is a good one to follow: http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm

Any tips on the training plan/ my first race in general?

RoyMcC

You've done right to be following a programme for your first race. I'm not going to argue with Hal Higdon.

Enjoy your running and accept that you will have bad days.

Here are some race day tips http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/tp/racedaytips.htm the most important of which is to start steadily, see how you feel and only then wind it up if you want. There's nothing better than passing other runners - unless you intend to lead from start to finish

spaceylou

i not particularily great at running so others will have more technical advice I'm sure, but if the race is on a beach, try and get some practice runs in on a beach as well, because sand is very different to run on than the road - best of luck and out of curorisity where is the race?

celestial

Yep I do most of my running on the beach anyway It's Sandymount beach

ManwitaPlan

How soft is the sand there?


Would there be a huge difference between time for this race versus time on the road?

hunnymonster

I don't know this particular beach but my experience is that any sand will slow you down significantly with the softer sand the worst offender.

robinph

Surely how soft the sand is all depends on the weather and last tide times. You won't be breaking any records either way though on the sand.

hunnymonster

for that particular beach yes but between beaches, the depth and type of sand can vary and results in different running conditions. After the desert, I've become a bit of a sand connoisseur.