Ladies!
Are you doing the Women's Mini-Marathon this weekend? If not, it's too late to enter but read on for some tips, especially if it's your first event as a runner!
I have never taken part in this particular event, but I have heard it is very busy and there is something of a dash at the start line. This means some of the tips below may be of varying degrees of helpfulness, but sure - onwards and upwards we go. I have heard it is great fun, so I hope you all enjoy it and, of course, raise lots of money! (If you see a man - most likely on a bike - handing out Haribo jellies, it's just my dad 'helping out'!)
Tips (in no particular order):
- Don't do anything any differently to when you usually go running.
- Wear clothes you feel comfortable and confident in.
- Don't wear clothes or shoes for the first time. The shoes will probably blister and the clothes may not be as comfortable as they look.
- If you feel you're getting tired or losing motivation, pick a person whose pace you're comfortable with and try to stick with her.
- Towards the end, pick a person ahead of you and try to catch up with her then pass her out. This will add to your sense of achievement and probably give you a better time.
- Eat whatever you normally eat before a run, and the same amount of time in advance. Now is not the time to try out that new health food product you picked up or the 'superfood' your friend recommended.
- Unless it's a very hot day, which it isn't expected to be, there is no need to bring water with you. Don't drink too much water just before the event, but make sure to be well hydrated in the days leading up to it.
- Cut your toenails! Trust me!
- Start slowly (not an option to start quickly with the numbers anyway). This will help you finish stronger - assuming you want to of course!
- Doubleknot your shoelaces.
- If you have any blisters on your feet buy Compeed NOW! Go! NOW! They are one of the best investments you will ever make.
- Endeavour to eat and drink in the first hour after the run. Bananas are a favourite of mine. Remember, running 10km doesn't make you an Olympian, so you do NOT actually deserve the Mars Bar or pain au chocolat you might think you do.
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| This isn't the look we're going for when we're killing ourselves running! |
- It is expected to be partially cloudy Monday, but as we all know, Ireland isn't a very reliable country weather-wise (or otherwise, but this isn't the time or place for that!), so bring sunscreen. Make sure it's in date and use it even if it's not looking very sunny before the run; who knows what will happen in the next hour!
- Familiarise yourself with the route, so that you know where there are water stations, first aid and toilets in case you need any of them. It is also good to know where the half-way point is, or whatever your personal goal stages are, i.e. 2km intervals. This is particularly handy if you plan to walk, run, walk, run.
- Finally - have fun! I have heard this event is great craic, so make the most of it! :-D
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| Last year's start. |
I am hoping to go along and cheer everyone on. My mum and sister are doing it for Crumlin Children's Hospital, so I'll be there to hand over the sponsorship money and give some cheers. See you there :)
I've done a few 10k races but I have never done the flora mini marathon, mainly cause I have an aversion to very crowed places. I remember my most disappointing race, I choose to follow a group which were doing a much faster pace than I usually would run, as I really wanted to do it under 50minutes. As a result, I pulled a muscle and while I finished the race (out of pure stubbornness and way over an hour!) I couldn't run or really move properly for a few weeks. Since then I've imposed a rule, run at my pace! Finishing is what matters timing is just a bonus.
ReplyDeleteDon't start too far back as you waste a lot of time overtaking people.
ReplyDeleteSurely a Mars a day helps you work, rest and play? Don't mini marathons fall into at least one category?
ReplyDeleteI have made that mistake as well and after a few kms, you're exhausted. I endeavour not to, but I still find it hard not to get caught up with the crowd. The Dublin Marathon Series is great for that, because the races are organised by estimated time so you're much more likely to be surrounded by people going at your own pace.
ReplyDeleteDeb, a did a run recently and a lot of people in it were new to running; I spent so long overtaking people who started too ambitiously or trying to get around people who were running or walking four- and five-abreast. So frustrating, and you do just waste so much time.
Siobhán - it looks like advertising worked! ;)