First 5km road race

martyeds

On Friday Aug 3rd, i hope to take part in my first 5km road race. My training has been very stop start in the last few weeks. Initially i would have been hoping to do my first road race in a sub 24 mins time. I think that i unrealistic at this stage so i will be happy with a sub 24 min 40 seconds.

I am not really sure what to expect when taking part in an actual race. I always listen to music while i run and have the endomondo app on my phone. Do many people listen to music in road races or will i look a bit odd with my headphones!!

It is only over a distance of 5km so is there likely to be water stations along the route?

What is the protocol for a road race....do the faster runners take off from the start and the slowers ones in the middle and walkers at the back?

Last night i had quite a few questions but for some reason i seem for have forgotten most of them. Thanks in advance

Krusty_Clown

Many races prohibit the use of headphones for health and safety reasons. Give the race a try without them. You probably won't miss them, will perform better without them, and will enjoy the experience far more.

It is very unlikely that there will be water stations, but if they are, will be at the discretion of the race organizers. They really aren't necessary for any race that takes less than 40-50 minutes to complete. If you feel you need water en-route, by all means carry a bottle with you. You won't be the only one.

Yes, typically the fastest runner (15-18 minutes) line up at the front, then 20-25 minutes, 25 minutes+ then walkers. The idea being that if you start in front of faster runners, you will slow them down. If slower runners start in front of you, then they'll slow you down. If you think a realistic target is 24:xx minutes, aim to start somewhere in the middle. If you're unsure, ask others around you what their targets are.

Most important: Enjoy the race. It's supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Smile as you cross the finish line. There's often a camera!

huskerdu

Good luck on Friday, you might find the buzz of race day gives you the extra bit of pace that you feel you are lacking,

To answer your questions

A lot of races ban headphones for safety reasons, and very few people use them when they are allowed. Its more fun to hear the crowd and get the full experience of race-day if you are not listening to music.

There is unlikely to be water-stations in a 5k race.

Good race etiquette is that slower runners start at the back, but lots and lots of runners dont obey this. Very fast runners will start at the front and the rest is likely to be a mess. How big a race is it ?

Dont worry about anyone else. Start at the back if you feel more comfortable. Decide your own pace and stick to it.

Have fun.

pconn062

martyeds wrote: »

On Friday Aug 3rd, i hope to take part in my first 5km road race. My training has been very stop start in the last few weeks. Initially i would have been hoping to do my first road race in a sub 24 mins time. I think that i unrealistic at this stage so i will be happy with a sub 24 min 40 seconds.

I am not really sure what to expect when taking part in an actual race. I always listen to music while i run and have the endomondo app on my phone. Do many people listen to music in road races or will i look a bit odd with my headphones!!

It is only over a distance of 5km so is there likely to be water stations along the route?

What is the protocol for a road race....do the faster runners take off from the start and the slowers ones in the middle and walkers at the back?

Last night i had quite a few questions but for some reason i seem for have forgotten most of them. Thanks in advance

To answer your questions:

Headphones are usually best avoided in a road race as race organisers usually consider them a safety hazard as you wouldn't be able to hear the stewards instructions, and for such a short race you probably don't need them.

In a 5k there will probably be no water stations as it's such as short distances, if you need water, bring your own.

The race protocol is that faster runners start at the front with slower runners in the middle and walkers at the back. If you were aiming for 24 minutes that would make you a mid pack runner, the general understanding is- don't stand in front of anyone who looks quicker than you! If someone behind you and they are only 9 stone and wearing a club vest you are probably in the wrong place!

Good Luck.

Edit: Holy sh*t you guys are quick, you must have fingers of steel!

CS_Runner

Hi

Most races don't allow headphones for safety reasons. So you would be safer not to wear them.

As for where you'll start the race, In most races with big entries there are markers behind the starter, sub 20, 20-24, over 24 mins.

Best of luck

martyeds

Thanks for the replies,

I usually carry water with me when i run anyway, so having to carry a small bottle during the run will not be much of a problem.

The headphones will be a slight problem though, the music keeps me going, but the main issue would be the running app that i use.
It gives me lap times and so on. I had the app on silent by mistake during a run and my pace was all over the place.

I am not sure how many will take part in the race but from speaking to a friend who has just finished a couch to 5km training group, they hope to take part also.

As for not standing in front of the 9 stone person in a running vest......if anyone is standing near the overweight lad who is sweating and out of breath while walking the starting point.....chances are that will be me!!

martyeds

Just an after thought, would it be allowed to wear earpiece solely for the use of my running app, and not play any music.

huskerdu

martyeds wrote: »

Just an after thought, would it be allowed to wear earpiece solely for the use of my running app, and not play any music.

Depends on the rules of the race. Some races just ban all headphones.

menoscemo

martyeds wrote: »

.

The headphones will be a slight problem though, the music keeps me going, but the main issue would be the running app that i use.
It gives me lap times and so on. I had the app on silent by mistake during a run and my pace was all over the place.

I'd still say go without the headphones. Can you not let the app run in the background and check it afterwards?
Chances are the App will only slow you down as you'll fear going too fast but races are for going faster than you would normally go. If you run by feel you'll likely go much faster than if you were listening to the app. You will have a lot of adrenaline in a race cmpared to a trainign run and you'll be able to pace yourself off the toher runners.

Slydice

Do runners in races like these really ... ya know... go for it? Like take off and go mad trying to get to the line first?

I've never ran in a race of any length. Thinking about it and not knowing has me worrying that I'd be embarrassed if I was the only person taking it easy or going as fast as I could.... if I ever did a race.

Or maybe is it a mix... where some people go all out, some take it handy and maybe even chat and some just have a relaxing jog to themselves.

Any general opinions on that side of things?

menoscemo

Slydice wrote: »

Do runners in races like these really ... ya know... go for it? Like take off and go mad trying to get to the line first?

I've never ran in a race of any length. Thinking about it and not knowing has me worrying that I'd be embarrassed if I was the only person taking it easy or going as fast as I could.... if I ever did a race.

Or maybe is it a mix... where some people go all out, some take it handy and maybe even chat and some just have a relaxing jog to themselves.

Any general opinions on that side of things?

Races are for going as fast as you can.
Why would you pay €10, €20 whatever to enter a race and then just 'go for a jog' You can do that by yourself any night of the week.

A race should be the goal of your training. The whole point of yur training is so that you go as fast as possible in that race.
You wouldn't find a footballer or a rugby player putting in years of training and then taking it easy in a match would you?

It doesn't matter whether running a 5k takes you 15 minutes or 35 minutes; you should run a race to go as fast as you possibly can. It should hurt.

huskerdu

Its a complete mix. Some people will be planning to finish in 16/17 minutes , some in 20/25 minutes, some slower. Everyone takes off at their own pace. Sometimes the start of races are a bit of a mess as a result.

Dont start at a pace that you cant keep up, you will end up with a slower time, than if you start at a pace that you can keep up and then if you have something left in the tank, you can speed up at the end.

Whatever you do, you will not look embarrassing ( unless you are the only one in fancy-dress). no-one will even notice what you are doing.

Just run your own race and enjoy it.

EDIT : I just read menos post above. I agree about it being a race and the point of a race is to run as fast as you can, but you will not run the fastest 5km that you are capable of, if you run the first 2km so fast that you tire and cant keep running.

martyeds

Quick update.....i am still waiting to do my first race......BLOODY HAYFEVER!! :mad: