After running for years and completing dozens and dozens of half marathons and marathons I’ve learned a lot of race day lessons the hard way. Luckily I remember most of my running fails so I can share them with you. Here’s a list of 13 things no one tells ya about your first race… add your own lessons in the comments.
13 Things No One Tells You About Running Your First Race
You’ll get very used to using porta-potties and actually be happy when you see a short line and get to use one.
You might not be that hungry immediately after the race – so all those dreams of pancakes and pizza and donuts will have to wait until later.
Your very pricey running clothes might decide to rebel against you and leave chafing burns on your skin.
The water at the aid stations will either be way over filled or under filled but either way you’re going to be happy to take water from a stranger who’s dirty finger was just inside that cup.
You are going to be really happy you signed up for a race.
You are going to be really mad at yourself for signing up for a race.
You’ll want to wear your race medal for the entire day but probably won’t.
Even if you’re super chill 99% of the time – when a spectator is holding up a sign that says “You’re Almost There” when you are in fact – NOT almost there you’ll get a little murder-y.
The hardest part of a race is actually looking at your race photos the next day.
![no one tells you about running 4[3]](https://runeatrepeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/no-one-tells-you-about-running-43.gif "no one tells you about running 4[3]")
You might have signed up thinking you just wanted to do one race, just something to cross off the ol’ bucket list… but you’ll be thinking about your next race before you know it.
It’s going to be fun.
It’s going to be hard.
But you remember the fun parts a lot more than the hard ones.
My personal first race story… When I first started running I just put my hair up in a ponytail. On my first half marathon my hair got so so soooooo knotted it was hard to even take the rubberband out of my hair. It was the worst super teased crazy mess and it took tons of conditioner and patience and tears to get all the knots out. I guess the combination of all my sweat and it being a whole 13.1 miles (versus the probably max 10 I did in training) made it an epic mess.
And that’s how ya learn.
BLING!!!!!!
Check the results before you leave. I placed second in my age group. No one told me I earned a medal. I went home and never knew.
My first race was a half marathon. When I saw the race photographers on the course, I thought you were supposed to pretend they weren’t there and not smile or act like they were taking your picture.
However, no matter how I smile or jump or make a funny face, my race photos still turn out bad.
To enjoy the time. It’s a big deal to run your first race. Even if it is to just cross it off your bucket list you should definitely experience the whole thing from the expo to the after party. Be social enjoy it! Just be smart about how much time you spend on your feet the day before and right after.
The crowded corrals. I love running but until I ran my first larger race I hadn’t experienced the crowded corrals. After 35 halfs and 7 fulls i still don’t think I’m ok with that part. But I know it’s only for a few min.
I wish someone had told me these things during my first race! When I saw the “almost there” signage… I really thought I was almost there. It was the longest stretch of “almost there” run ever, haha.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
OMG, I have to comment about the race hair thing, because many years ago during a half marathon I got GU in my hair. My ponytail, specifically. It wasn’t my GU, but I guess from another runner (it was a big rock n roll series half and very crowded course)? It was awful to get out!! Seriously. These days I always run with a braided ponytail. It helps tremendously with tangles, and although perhaps there is no true way to avoid “GU hair”, I do believe it decreases the odds! 😉
HAHA race photos are the best. Some good stuff right there. I just remember that I completely forgot about peeing during my race. For some reason thought I wouldn’t need to and then I had to pee a good 3 times during it… woo