Race Day FAQ's

G-Money

So I'm thinking about entering my first race, the Jingle Bells 5K. I know it's hardly the 5000m at the Olympics but you have to start somewhere.

Anyway I've a few fairly basic and probably stupid questions but you pro's on here have probably been through many races like these and longer one's so I figured it would be a good place to start.

My questions are more of a practical nature I guess.

On race day morning, do you show up in your gear ready to go or do you have some sort of outer layer on that you take off before the race? The race is at the start of December so it will most likely be quite cold beforehand.

If you bring clothes that you ditch at the start. What do you do with them? I don't really have clothes that I'm looking to throw away and never see again but I don't know if there would be anywhere to store stuff? It would be nice to have something to wear on the way home other than a tshirt and shorts or whatever.

I usually stretch at my place and head straight out for a jog with a 5 minute warm-up walk and then go straight into the jog. If I go to this race, I will probably have to take a bus for at least 30 mins to get there. Do you stretch or do some sort of warmup when there?

I notice when I jog at the moment, it seems to take me 5-10 minutes to sort of get into a rhythm and get my breathing sorted. Is there any way to speed this up so it doesn't slow down my potential race pace?

nerraw1111

I usually wear an outer layer with shorts and top under to race.

With races in the park, the bag drop is usually v close to start so you shouldn't need to dump anything at the start. Leave top on till 5 mins to go and leave at baggage. I've never had to dump any clothes before a race.

Best of luck

menoscemo

At the Jingle Bells 5k, the registration is at the Donore Harriers clubhouse in Chapelizod and the start is about a mile away inside the park. So You'll be able to leave your bag at the clubhouse (there are changing rooms and showers there too) and your warm up will be a walk/jog up to the start line. The warm up will allow you to get straight into your rythm one the race starts.

If it is really cold, wear a long sleeve top and hat/gloves if necessary for the race. If it is raining it would be a good idea to bring a Black Bag (bin Liner) to wear up to the start line. It'll keep you dry and warm and you'll be able to dump it before the start.

Best of Luck I'll probably see you there.

aero2k

Last year a lot of people wore long-sleeved t-shirts/tops that they took off just before the start and tied to the trees near the start, then retrieved after the race. The finish is not too far away so in dry weather that's not a bad idea.

marchino

grandmaster wrote: »

So I'm thinking about entering my first race, the Jingle Bells 5K. I know it's hardly the 5000m at the Olympics but you have to start somewhere.

Anyway I've a few fairly basic and probably stupid questions but you pro's on here have probably been through many races like these and longer one's so I figured it would be a good place to start.

My questions are more of a practical nature I guess.

On race day morning, do you show up in your gear ready to go or do you have some sort of outer layer on that you take off before the race? The race is at the start of December so it will most likely be quite cold beforehand.

If you bring clothes that you ditch at the start. What do you do with them? I don't really have clothes that I'm looking to throw away and never see again but I don't know if there would be anywhere to store stuff? It would be nice to have something to wear on the way home other than a tshirt and shorts or whatever.

I usually stretch at my place and head straight out for a jog with a 5 minute warm-up walk and then go straight into the jog. If I go to this race, I will probably have to take a bus for at least 30 mins to get there. Do you stretch or do some sort of warmup when there?

I notice when I jog at the moment, it seems to take me 5-10 minutes to sort of get into a rhythm and get my breathing sorted. Is there any way to speed this up so it doesn't slow down my potential race pace?[/QUOTE

the more you run the easier it will get. its all about getting your body used to it. i started running after i had brain surgery and the reason i got my body and BREATHING sorted so quickly was because i got out 6 days a week and ****ing pushed myself. if you want to follow programmes that advise three days a week running thats fine if you want to keep fit and fair play but if you want to improve and 'race' comfortably well then you have to train hard. it dosnt mean you have to kill yourself but push yourself a bit and get out at least 5 days a week (minus the junk miles) if you want to really get your fitness levels up. as a former elite marathon runner told me not so long a go ''its just about doing the miles, its not rocket science''

RayCun

aero2k wrote: »

Last year a lot of people wore long-sleeved t-shirts/tops that they took off just before the start and tied to the trees near the start, then retrieved after the race. The finish is not too far away so in dry weather that's not a bad idea.

+1
Bring a bag and leave it in your car or the clubhouse, with warmer gear to put on after the race. If you're feeling cold, bring a cheap sweatshirt to the start line and tie it to a tree just before the start - something for 2 euro from Penneys so you won't be too worried if someone nicks it.

Tipp man running

Same as all the above really...usually wear a baggy tracksuit top and bottoms over my running gear and bring a bag with a towel, socks etc in it. Take the tracksuit off shortly before the race and leave the bag into the baggage area. Then use the jog down to the start to warm up, do a few stretches, another wee jog and get really for the off. If its raining bring the bin-liner and don't feel foolish as everyone will be wearing them...best of luck with the race and enjoy the atmosphere.

BeepBeep67

RayCun wrote: »

+1
Bring a bag and leave it in your car or the clubhouse, with warmer gear to put on after the race. If you're feeling cold, bring a cheap sweatshirt to the start line and tie it to a tree just before the start - something for 2 euro from Penneys so you won't be too worried if someone nicks it.

+ if it's cold, cheap hat and gloves from Penny's or the like that you don't mind chucking after a mile or so!

MaroonTam

grandmaster wrote: »

I notice when I jog at the moment, it seems to take me 5-10 minutes to sort of get into a rhythm and get my breathing sorted. Is there any way to speed this up so it doesn't slow down my potential race pace?

What I find works for me is a short jog of a warm up - normally around the 10 minute sort of level - about 40 minutes before the start of a race (as others have said, the run up from the registration at Donore will be ideal).

Then maybe 10 minutes before the start I do a few short, sharp, strides with the intention of getting my heart rate to spike at close to my expected race effort (not too hard, and only 20 - 30 seconds at a time, with the same walk between repeats) - repeated maybe 4 or 5 times. Gets the system ready for the effort right from the start.

(useful in a 5 km where you cant really afford 10 minutes to get into your rhythm - sure the leaders are nearly finished at that stage )

Anyways, enjoy the Jingle Bells - I loved at last year and gutted I wont be able to this year (away that weekend) - Still using the free mug regularly....

G-Money

Cheers. I just registered a few minutes ago. No backing out now! :eek: