How to choose a race
There are over 35,000 5ks every year in the US according to Runningintheusa.com. If you’re a first time runner, how do you know what one is the best for you? Read on for some advice on how to choose a race that will keep you excited and motivated!
Location, Location, Location
Much like real estate, the location of your first 5k is critical. Because most races start somewhere between 6-8am, you probably aren’t going to be thanking yourself on race day for picking a race 45 minutes from your home. While destination races are fun, being close to home is going to be more comforting if you are someone who gets a little nervous before a race. Not to mention the extra sleep you’ll get and the removal of the commute to the race. Certainly I’m not the only one who still gets lost or miscalculates my departure time for a 6:30am arrival! Location can also play into the next thing to consider, terrain!
Terrain
Trails, road, city, country, hills…there’s so much to consider when it comes to the terrain of your race. You should train on the same terrain that you will race on, so if you like to run on trails near your home then an off-road 5k is probably more suited to you. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to get out of the city for a nice trail run I wouldn’t recommend signing up for a trail 5k. The same is true for hills. While hill training is important and fun, you risk injury to your knees, quads, and shins if you go from a flat training course to a mega hill race course. Conversely, training in your hilly neighborhood and running a flat 5k might yield your best time yet!
Benefits
While this isn’t the most important part of a race, it certainly can make your first one a great experience! Some 5ks offer some really cool benefits that can get you even more excited about running first thing in the morning. This could vary greatly depending on what matters to you like the course, finisher medal, post-race food, and race sponsors. I’ve seen races that run through sporting stadiums, beautiful countryside views, and in the heart of the city. One of my favorite races had free Chick-fil-a at the finish line…definitely worth the race! Plus you can’t discount that finisher medal! It will serve as the beginning of your new home decor scheme.
You only get one first race, so pick one that is going to feel special to you! I recommend it’s nearby your home to reduce pre-race jitters and is similar or tamer than your training terrain to reduce chance of injury. If you can get a sneak peek of the race freebies, that’s a great dose of motivation during training! Still having trouble deciding? Reach out to us today and see how we can help find the perfect race for you!
