My First 10k is the Atlanta Peachtree Roadrace

[Kristee]

I am nervous. I am excited. But mostly wondering if I will survive. There is a hill that is nicknamed heartattack hill. My husband has a strategy in place for me to go one weekend and just walk that hill to see if I can do it.

That's not the issue. The issue is, I'll be doing this race alone. So my question is this...

Has anyone on here ever done a 10k and can you share some tips?

PS Please keep me motivated on this. I need it. I know if my overweight brother can complete it that I can do the same thing.

[peterr · Accepted solution]

Hey Kristee,

I've done few in the past so my tips would be:

1. Pace yourself.  Work out a pace that you are comfortable with and stick to it. Don't go try to set a PB time.

2. Run your own race.  I found it's easy to get distracted and try and tag along with faster runners.

3. I usually think in 1km mini races and not the 10km overall.  Think "1km" not "9km to go".

4. Be preprared to walk, there is no shame in it.  Better to finish a little more slowly than not at all.

5. Fuel up.  Banana or porridge 1 houre before and maybe some pasta the night before.

6.  Be positive.  You can do this.

Good luck!

[Kristee]

Only downfall is I have a banana allergy 😞

I was going to have the hubby take me to Olive Garden the night before. I also decided that if my sugar was in a good range that morning to make sure I load up on carbs. Don't want to have it drop too low. I'll probably take a snack with me to take as well if I can. I am also planning to walk. I'm not a runner.

[Roseman · Accepted solution]

Hey Kristee,

Advice - run one of the 5Ks in the area a few weeks before - I suggest the Atlanta Children's Shelter 5 to Thrive on early June. You will see at least part of the area.

Also, be aware the Peachtree is HUGE, unless you are a seeded runner (in which case you would not be posting here) you will have at least 10-15 minutes of walking with thousands of fellow runners, before you even get to the starting line.   Once you start, running your pace will be difficult due to the crowd. Use that! Walk when it is impossible to jog so you can run when the way is clear. And do not fear Cardiac Hill, it really is not that steep, but it is long. practice running uphill for at least 1 mile now.

[peterr]

I would not recommend a heavy meal the night before, just some carbs in a sensible portion.

My pre-race snack used to be Jam/Peanut butter sandwich.  During the race I would munch on jelly babies for a quick sugar hit.  As you are walking I would recommend avoiding gels or anything like that, there more likely to give you an upset stomach if you are not used to digesting them.  Pretzels are another favourite, they have loads of sodium but digest really easily mid race.

[Kristee]

Thanks. I plan on going to stone mountain as much as I can since the mountain is a 1 mile hike up. I figured a few times up that on differnt weekends would be awesome practice for cardiac hill. My husband is also planning to take me to cardiac hill and letting me walk that.

I am registered for several 5ks so I should be set. My first one is April 19th. Plus I walk at my local park an average of 5.56 miles and every two or three days I can throw in an extra lap which makes it 7.44 miles.

I know that if I can walk 7.44 miles that I can do the 10k. Sure I'll be sore and tired, but it will be worth it in the end.

[captzoom]

Peachtree! Wow, what a great first race... enjoy the big time. Report back on how it goes. GL w/ your training - 6 weeks to go 🙂

[1Fitgal]

Me too! Woohoo! 

[WendyB]

@1Fitgal I see you found it

[1Fitgal]

What did I find?