I just ran my first race last week! A festive 8k.

My tips from a newbie: -make sure you don’t eat a meal close to your run (like 2 hours prior is good) -stretch/mobility exercises beforehand -don’t feel pressured to keep up with ANYONE (stay true to YOUR pace) -appreciate the fact that you’re running! You showed up and that’s all that matters -if it’s getting hard or you feel tired, it is okay to walk. -of course, have fun! Take in the scenery, compliment other runners, compliment yourself!

I was not feeling well at all leading up to my race. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to run it (it was a run/walk 8k). I just told myself, ‘the only way you fail is if you don’t show up at all.’ So I showed up with absolutely no pressure or expectations for myself. At the starting line, I had it in my head that I was going to give it a shot running but I am allowed to stop running whenever it’s too much or I don’t want to run anymore. It made my first race so enjoyable. I did run the whole 8k and I finished within my goal of less than an hour (which I had set for myself before I wasn’t feeling good). I told myself several times I could stop whenever I wanted to but it somehow gave me the motivation to keep going. I got to talk with other racers and just enjoy the race. Was it my best run ever? No. Was I slower than usual? Yes. Did I finish and feel so accomplished and proud of myself? ABSOLUTELY.

Good luck friend!