Complete a 5K in Las Vegas with the proper preparation.
Running in a 5K race is a great way to ramp up your fitness program or prepare your body for running in longer races. Beginners can walk or run the 5K, and long-distance veterans can use the 5K for timing in the training process for a longer race. Las Vegas, Nevada, presents some challenges for runners, including the terrain and the weather, so the smart runner will be prepared by choosing the proper course, the proper time and a personalized training program.
Instructions
1. Select a 5K based on the time of the year you are available to travel to Las Vegas for the race, for the course the race is run on and/or for the beneficiary of the race, if you want to run for a cause. You should also select the 5K based on any ancillary activities that the race may feature, including prerace preparation, assistance with training and availability of water and other amenities during the race. For example, the American Heart Association features health screenings and education sessions so that you can measure the success of your training.
2. Create a training schedule that will allow you to properly prepare for the race, including getting your physical conditioning where you want it to be as well as any weight-loss goals. The Las Vegas Running Team not only manages the races for organizations, but the Team coordinates training sessions with a focus on overall fitness as well as assisting runners who are planning to move beyond the 5K to compete in other races.
3. Select the race based on weather conditions in Las Vegas, as the weather can adversely affect your run. For runners who tend to heat up quickly when running, the winter months may make more sense, while runners with lower body heat generation may want to run in the warmer months. Consult a resource such as the Running in the USA website, which lists upcoming 5K races by month across the country.
4. Plan the trip to Las Vegas, allowing enough time to get a good night's sleep before the race. It is also a good idea to check out the actual course before race day, taking note of any hills or long stretches of race area that may be adjacent to a freeway, making water/energy replacement stations sparse. You should also allow for recovery time following the race, particularly if you are a beginning runner.
5. Arrive to the start area on race day, earlier than the start time by at least one half hour. This allows you time to warm up by stretching and doing some short sprints. Warm muscles allow for a more comfortable race and decrease the chance of injuries.
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