RUN YOUR FIRST RACE AND LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT

Running your first race will get your heart pounding long before the starter’s horn blows. It’s pretty exciting, but some of that excitement can be better labeled as nervousness or just plain fright. If you’ve never done it before, it’s hard to know where to begin.

First up on your to do list on the day of the race is to remember to bring the clothes you want to run in. The shorts and top should be light and cool, so that you will stay cool. A sleeveless tank top or racing singlet are the way to go. Shoes don’t have to be racing shoes but they should be the lightest pair that you have.

Registration is the first place that you will go after you arrive at the race. If you have pre-registered you still need to pick up the racing bib number that has been assigned to you, and the scoring computer chip if it is being used. The chip is attached to your shoe and must be worn or you will not be given a finishing time and place in the race.

If you are registering on race day you need to bring a filled-in application, or pick one up on the table provided and then take it and the appropriate amount of money to the registration area. You will be assigned your bib number and then you too need to go pick up your corresponding computer chip and don’t forget the souvenir race T-shirt.

All of this will hopefully take place at least a half hour to and hour prior to the scheduled start of the race. That gives you time to go visit the restroom or portable toilet and to do a little warm-up jog. Then back to your car to fasten your chip to your shoe and to strip down to the clothes you will wear to race. The bib is pinned to the front of your shirt, or shorts, not the back.

With ten minutes until race time, make your way to the starting line. It is not always apparent where that is, but generally if you see a lot of runners heading in the same direction it is a safe bet they are heading to the start.

Unless you have timed yourself and know that you can run all three miles at 5:30 to 5:45 per mile pace, stay away from the front line. Leave that space for the quick starters. For a first race your goal should be to finish comfortably and not to finish with an especially fast time.

So start in the middle of the crowd or toward the back. When the starters horn, gun, or shout of “Go” signals the start, the other runners will begin to move but at first, just like at a traffic light, it will be slow. As the field moves out, and the faster runners lead the way, there will be more space for you to run. Keep your elbows in and remember that the person you just passed is still close behind you so do not cut in front of anyone who you have just passed. You could both go down and spoil your race.

Most races have the miles marked along the race route so be looking for the first mile marker. A person will probably be standing there calling out the time from the start of the race. That will give you a good idea of the pace that you are running. If you hit the second mile and the time is considerably more than just double the first mile time, you will have committed the original sin of all runners – you went out too fast and will now suffer the consequences. Your third mile will be even slower.

Finishing a race is more than just crossing the finish line. If the race is not being scored with a computer chip then you must stay in the order that you finished with the other runners as you crossed the finish line. You will be directed to keep moving, but to stay in line. As you approach the end of the chute, tear off the tag at the bottom of your race number. It is perforated so just a sharp tug will bring it off. Hand that to the person at the end of the chute.

If the race is being timed with the computer chip then all you need do once you cross the finish line is go to a volunteer with clippers who will snip the chip off of your shoe and you will be free to leave the area.

After that it is all positive. You will find water and at most races, food and fruit, and sometimes much more. Enjoy, you’ve earned it.

MASTERS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP IN IRON BOUND NEXT SUNDAY

For the first time in its long history, the Portugal Day 5K is a USATF-NJ championship as it is hosting the Masters Women next Sunday in Newark. Portugal has a long history of racing champions so it is fitting that USATF chose the race for one of its prestigious races, which will have a high value of 700 points in the New Balance grand prix.

For more information go to www.usatfnj.org.

MERRY HEART 5K FIRST MONDAY NIGHT RACE TOMORROW NIGHT

Time has not run out to register for the Merry Heart 5K Run that is tomorrow night in Succasunna. Active.com will take registration online up until on half hour past midnight tonight. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the start at 7:00 p.m. More information at www.compuscore.com.

Published in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, June 4, 2006.

Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2006