First 10k. Advice please!

[SFRSmum]

Hi all,

Im running my first 10k in October (AJ bell, great Scottish run 🏃‍♀️)

I've never ran a organised run before (well apart from parkrun) so im a bit clueless as to how it all works and ive got a couple of questions i can't find clear answers to online. Probably stupid questions!

Firstly, we set off in waves going on our predicted run times. I predicted 1hr 10 mins if I remember correctly but the truth is ive absolutely no idea how long it'll take me. I complete 5k in 26 to 27 mins but its hard and I couldn't do 10k at that pace. I then came across a post on strava from someone who said he is a pacer for the race, does this mean we have to stay within our wave group? Or can we pull ahead if the pace is too slow or fall back if its too fast?

Secondly, on the day, registration opens at 7am, do we have to be there for 7am? My wave won't start until nearly 9am, theres a warm up at 8.20. How soon should I get there?

Finally, after, is there much milling about or do people disperse quickly? Sounds daft but we've got a premier inn booked and id like to get a shower before they check out time of 12pm!

Im sorry for the silly questions, im a serial planner and the unknown makes me anxious 🤣

Once you cross the start line just relax and go at your own pace.

There's likely to be lots of pacers. They will be wearing a vest with there approximate pace time on. So for example 50 minutes. So anyone aiming for 50 minutes can use them as a rough guide along the route. They are just there to help people get the approximate finish time they are aiming for.

Do you have to register on the day? Some events let you register online and you receive stuff like your number in the post. There will be an update on the event page telling you what time registration closes.

Some people will do the group warm up . Others will have there own warm up routine.

You don't have to hang around after the race. Some people stay and socialise and support friends and family others will go home.

Just relax and enjoy it. Just be aware the toilets are usually busy.

@Yellowshirt
Thank you so much for your response. And the explanation on pacers. Of course, that makes sense thank you. I had it in my head they were there to make sure people didn't bunch up too much or like in racing cars where the car goes in front to slow them all down! Idiot 🤣

Ive already paid online and will receive a pack in the next week or two, so I shouldn't have to sign in? The info says they'll send my timing chip in the post. Again no idea. 🤣

Im sure it'll all make sense on the day.

For a big event, I’d aim for 90 mins before, smaller, more like 45. This is mostly to allow time to queue for the loos!
Ypu might want to take a bin bag - wear it while waiting to keep you warm, and then you can discard it on the way to the start line.
The pacers are optional, it’s if you want to follow them to help achieve a certain time.
People tend to leave quickly - selfie with their medal, put clothes on, go off to get something to eat.

@dancingbymyself thank you! The bin bag is a great tip

What happens to family on drop off? My kids are coming up with me, when I go to the boxes is that a no go area for the spectators?

Apologises for my terminology too.

If you're receiving the chip in the post it's sounds like your already registered and you just need to turn up on the start line but it's worth just asking the question on the day to reassure yourself.

Check things like are you allowed to wear headphones as well as lots of races now don't allow them and warn of disqualification.

Once you get into your stride and away from the crowd on the start line you usually end up following the same one or two people around the course as they are going around the same pace as you. Stuff like that will keep you motivated to push on.

I take it the boxes are the drop off point for your bags and clothes etc ?
There's never really been a no go zone when I've done races. It's normally fairly laid back

Sorry, I meant pens, like the holding pens for different waves to go in.

Thank you again for all your knowledge, I am really rather excited and enjoying having something to work towards. Ran 8k yesterday and didn't struggle as much as I expected to so hoping thats a good sign

I’m doing this too! Haven’t been running long and am only at 4k so far so wish me luck!!

It’s reassuring to read that someone else doesn’t know what to expect because it seems like everyone online is an expert.

It looks like there’s an app your family can download to track you and hopefully manage to see you finish if that’s what you want.

You don't need to register on the day. Your race number will have a timing chip on the back of it and there should be a detachable tag for your bag if you're leaving it in the bag drop bus. As it doesn't start and finish in the same place I would put a change of warm clothes in the bag drop.
You will be allocated a wave based on your predicted time so fast folk will be at the front and slower ones in the back waves. This helps everyone run at their race speed and not get stuck behind slower runners (although accept that this might happen in a big event!). If you feel you need to walk during the race please step to one side of the road so folk can get past you.
Definitely no spectators in the start pens and please discourage them from using the portaloos that are meant for runners too. There's nothing worse than being in an epic queue before a race and half the folk in it aren't even runners!
The pacers are there purely to help people who want to run a specific time. If you've not done a 10k before it might help you to not set off too fast.
People only mingle at the end if they're waiting for others, you can head straight off once you've got your bag back.
Do not panic about the hill at the start, take your time, it's not half as bad as it looks!!

OP my 5k pb is 26 mins and I can do 10k about 57, so you’ll definitely be able to get under the hour I reckon and certainly quicker than 1hr 10, (unless you go off crazy days at the start, or it’s really hilly). Have fun!

@MiddleAgedDread thank you for this, this is all excellent advice, really good to know.

@Surlycoo good for you! Im really looking forward to it, im currently running around 8 or 9k, 3 times a week. I didnt find going up from 5k to my current level that hard to be honest. Ive signed up for a half marathon next may, I think that may be a different story!

@Daisydoesnt wow do you think so? To be honest im not really bothered about time, I just want to complete it without stopping, which at the moment, im fairly confident I will do. Under an hour would be amazing though.

Good luck OP! I'm running the same one, and it's my first ever race too :) I've been running a 10k every Sunday morning for the past six weeks and I'm coming in between 1h3m and 1h8m, and my 5k time is considerably slower than yours (31m), so you'll be quicker than you expect, I think!!

Definitely get in a queue for the loo early but don't be fooled by needing a 'nervous wee' 2 minutes before the start!

The best piece of advice is to not go off too fast. You feel amazing at the beginning with spectators cheering and the excitement of it all, but you will feel it later on.

I did a 10 k a few years ago and was following a pacer for a pb, so it was hard work for me. He was having a chat to a mate for a bit, then looked at his watch and said 'Oops, I need to get a move on' and speeded up, and about 3 of us following him all went 'Oh no!' in chorus 😂

Good luck!!

I’ve started running occasional 10ks, & I find they’re really good fun: great atmosphere on the day & a real sense of achievement afterwards. I’m very bad at training beforehand, but I do the parkrun every weekend so I have a reasonable level of fitness and I’ve always managed okay on the day. The best top tip I was given before my first one was to take it slowly & carry some jelly babies so you can give yourself a boost if you find that you’re flagging in the second half. Good luck!

How’s the training going OP? DH and I just in from our second 7k. We are going to do a couple of 8ks this week then just need to hope the atmosphere carries us through!

@Surlycoo Well done!
Ive been on holiday for a week, got back this morning! Kept up with doing some runs while away but all 5k and under.

Bit the bullet this morning and did 10k on the treadmill as soon as I got back. Did it very slowly and steadily (1hr 13mins) but I know now I can do it, so I'm very pleased.
Ill hopefully do a couple more 5ks through the week then rest up until sunday.

Have you received your racing number @Surlycoo
Mine came last week, feels very real now!

It sounds like it’s going well and at least you know you can manage the distance. I’m planning to stay with the slowest pacer so think it’ll be 1 hour 25 for me.

Yes, it’s arrived. Definitely feels real now.

It looks like a fun race OP.
I've just read that the event toilets are a 10 min walk from the start.
Is your Premier Inn walking distance from the event or do you need to drive?
I usually park a mile or so away and walk. Most people want to get nearer so parking is often easier. Treat the walk as a walk up/cool down.

Arrange a place to meet your family afterwards.

As others have said, the amount of time you need before the race is pretty much down to the toilet queues. Hopefully at an event this size they'll have Pee Pods for the men and have marshals telling men who don't need a cubicle to use the pee pods.

If it's busy at the start try not to weave between people too much. It might seem like you're going really slowly but IMO it's better to have an enforced slower start and pick up later, than aim to stick to whatever pace you have in mind but wear yourself out weaving. Just settle in to the race in the first mile w/o looking at the pace on your watch.

If you're doing 1hr13 on the treadmill as a training run, your 1hr 10 goal is very achievable, especially if you feed off a crowd.

Good luck!

@limescale
Thankfully I booked a city centre premier inn, a 10 min walk from start line (and similar from the finish too!)
My start time is 8.42, not to arrive before 7.42, so Id plan to leave the hotel around 8, no point standing around in the rain!
Im hoping to be ok without having to use the loos to be honest, they sound a bit grim, but I will if need be.

Weather looks to be a bit rubbish on sunday, although not as bad as Saturdays forecast! So ill be using the tip of taking a bin bag to wear before the start.

Im not sure ill use the baggage bus, husband is going to meet me at the finish, he'll bring a bag with a change of clothes or at least a jacket.

Silly question (which im sure i could google!) Im presuming a 10k is marked in km on the course, not miles?

Yes it’ll be marked in km but be aware some of the route is shared with the half marathon and theirs will be in miles! The signs are usually different colours.

Good call on the Premier Inn! You def won't need the baggage bus. You can leave the PI ready to run (with bin bag!). I see they are also collecting any clothing discarded at the start to the BHF, so you could also wear something you were ready to send to the charity shop.

Hello 👋🏼 I'm running this Sunday too and it's my first group run. I have no clue what to wear on th day especially now with weather taking a turn. I usually wear a t-shirt and leggings or shorts and cap. Is a long sleeve top best? Do most females wear short, or leggings? How to keep warm at start?

I’ve seen videos from last year and most were in shorts tbh but definitely some leggings too so just wear what you are comfortable in.

I’m really worried I won’t manage this now as suffering with horrific knee pain. Did 4k on Thursday night and practically hobbled the last km. Am hoping things feel much better tomorrow.