FOR EVERYONE, THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME

I well remember the first race I entered. It was the Midland Run three mile. Talk about jumping into the big pool. People were everywhere. I didn’t know where to go or what I was expected to do. What did I do with the race number I was handed? Did I put it on my back or on my front? Where were the pins I so obviously needed. People were walking away from the registration area with a shirt. How did they qualify for that? Oh, I got one too. Was I expected to wear it in the race?

Remember how it was for you? You are chuckling to yourself, right? Newbies do the dumbest things, and none of us are exempt from that appellation. We were all race virgins once.

I have been reminded of this because I have been fielding the calls to the June 5th, Merry Heart 5K race hotline. I can hear the hesitation in their voices as they ask their Newbie questions.

So for all the Newbies out there, this one’s for you.

Registering for the race before race day makes a lot of sense. Most races have the applications scattered around their town, sometimes at the most unlikely places, like the local lumber yard. The best place is at the local running specialty store. In Morris County that would be Runner’s Haven in Randolph. Runner’s Haven will also take your application and payment for the Merry Heart run and will do the same for the William and Teresa Wright Memorial 5K that takes place later in the month in Randolph.

Another option is to pick up an application at an earlier race. Of course if this is your first, you won’t have been to an earlier race. But it is something you need to know. Look for the applications table at the race you go to. You will find a plethora of applications for races coming up all over the area.

When filling out the application, make it legible. The name that you use can only be as accurately spelled as you printed it. If you run well enough to win an award it is embarrassing to hear your name totally mutilated and the finger of blame has to point right back to you. You have more assurance that your name, gender and age are correct, when you fill out an application unhurriedly at home. Cut off and send in only the registration part of the application form. Save the part with the race information for your own reference.

Very often registration can be done online. By going to www.active.com you can follow the prompts to your state and then the date of the race, etc. and you will be directed to the online process for the race that you want to enter. Another avenue is to check out what scoring company is going to be timing the race. By going to their calendars, very often there is a link to the on-line registration. For the Merry Heart, and for many of the local races, the scoring firm is CompuScore at www.compuscore.com. Another is Best Racing at www.bestrace.com.

There are two advantages to registering prior to the actual race. The first is to save money. All races give a discount if you pre-register. For instance, in this area, it is common for the pre-registration fee to be in the $15.00 to $17.00 range. On race day the fee may go up seven to ten dollars. For the Merry Heart, the pre-race rate is $15.00 for all Roxbury Township residents, and also for members of USA Track & Field. For all others the fee is $17.00. On race day the fee is $25.00. That is not to be punitive, but to encourage pre-race registration, which helps to cut down on confusion and errors on race day.

Some races also only guarantee the souvenir t-shirt, or whatever is the give-away, to pre-registered runners, and to post entering runners only until they run out. This can happen, although most races do their best to have a good estimate as to how many t-shirts they need to have on hand.

Oh, and about wearing those shirts to race in. Don’t do it. You may see some people wearing the race shirt, but those are likely to be the volunteers who have been given the shirts in thanks for helping out. Most race shirts are not really suitable for racing. They are usually all cotton or a cotton blend and can be too hot for racing, resulting in a shirt soaked and heavy with sweat that will not evaporate. Best to race in a special racing shirt that will wick moisture away and keep you cool. Go to Runner’s Haven and other specialty stores for such clothing.

Do wear the shirt after the race, or at the race you go to next. It’s a good conversation starter – especially if you had a good race. To insure that it is a good experience, check back here next week for “How to Run Your First Race.

RIDGEWOOD RUN ON MEMORIAL DAY

Neither the 10K or the 5K at the Ridgewood Run are USATF championships this year, but that shouldn’t stop you from heading east tomorrow morning. The Ridgewood Runs are well organized, loaded with talent, and a fun morning of racing. If you haven’t pre-registered you will have to settle for being a spectator as there is no post registration.

Be sure to hang around after the 5K is finished for the elite mile races for open and masters runners.

Published in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County on Sunday, May 28, 2006

Copyright, MADELINE BOST, 2006