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| Why Race? (and how to
do it, by Connie Kelly) |
WHY RACE?
Keeps you motivated and driven to keep your running up.
A good way to measure your progress.
Great weekend event for families to participate in together.
Some of the races have kid's races immediately before the actual race or after the race.
Great way to meet new people.
Most races are for a charitable cause.
CHIP TIMING -WHAT IS IT?
Over the last several years, races have started timing runners using a technology called
CHIP TIMING. The runner is given a chip that they fasten on their shoe prior to the race.
The start and finish line will have mats that the runners run across. When they do this,
their chip is activated and tracked thus giving them an accurate race time. This allows
people in the middle of the pack or the back of the pack to get a start time from when
they step on the mat and not from the time the start gun goes off.
Races that are chip-timed provide the runner with a chip as part of the race registration
fee. Runners must return the chip at the end of the race or be charged a fee if it is not
returned. You can also purchase a chip at any RUN ON store and use this chip at any
chip-timed races. You simply provide your chip number on the registration form and the
staff in charge of timing the race will use your chip number for timing.
RACES - HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT THEM?
Calendar at www.runontexas.com
Brochures located in the RUN ON stores
Many of the local races are scheduled September through November and March through July
timeframe - during these months there can be two or three races held by different
organizations throughout the metroplex area. However, you can always find some type of
race any month. The months listed above have more choices than other months.
LOCAL RUNNING CLUBS
Plano Pacers - www.planopacers.org
Dallas Running Club -
www.dallasrunninglcub.com
These clubs are great ways to meet new runners and participate in family running events
for a small annual fee. Go to their respective websites to read more about their purpose.
DOES IT COST $$ TO RACE?
Registration is typically $15 to $25 unless it is a ½ marathon or marathon
Registration gets you entry into the race and usually a Generally, have places three deep
for each age division.
Divisions are typically broken into men and woman and divided by 3 to 4 years. Example;
20-24, 25-30, 30-34, etc etc. Winners usually receive a trophy of some kind at the awards
ceremony following the race.
HOW TO PREPARE (as a runner, many of the tips below should be practiced
on a daily basis not just before a race)
The day before
Rest - get a good night's sleep - skip the party or late night event.
Hydrate the day / week before - drink lots of water and try to avoid a lot of caffeine.
Eat properly the day before (carbohydrates and light protein).
Lay out your clothes the night before - Remember the 20 degree rule for race clothes.
Dress like it is 20 degrees warmer than the actual weather because your body temperature
will quickly warm up to that during your warm up and first ½ mile of the race. Example;
if it is 40 degrees outside, dress like it is 60 degrees.
Pack a bag
Remember your bib number, safety pins.
Bring a dry shirt for after the race.
Race Day
Eat something light the morning of (if possible 1 to 2 hours before).
Get to the race at least 45 minutes early to warm up.
Do a light warm up of 1 mile - very easy jog. Try to warm up in the direction of the race
so you can see where the ½ mile marker is which will be a good indicator of where you are
time wise when you are actually racing. Example; if you are wanting to do a 10 minute
mile, it is handy to know where the ½ mile marker is to see if you are on track at 5
minutes.
If nature calls, get in line at the Port-O-Lets as soon as possible. Many of the races
have plenty of restrooms but the lines can get lengthy so don't wait until the last minute
and be scrambling to the start line.
Pace - remember to go out easy and pace yourself. Ideally, you should try to have what is
a called a negative split which means your last mile is faster than your first two if you
are doing a 5k. Remember to race yourself - not others in the race. You know how you feel
and what you are able to maintain for a 5k. |
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