This
post is going to be a little more nutsy-boltsy. In choosing,
planning, and running a race, pay attention to basic stuff (put more
bluntly, be smart, not stupid).
Know
what you're getting into. Most race organizers – whether of just
one annual race or of a couple dozen races a year – have in their
online information for a race a course map and an elevation profile.
Another valuable online tool is Google Maps Satellite View feature.
Sun and heat are not a runner's friend, but shade can mitigate their
effects. Use Satellite View to look over the course, where and how
much of it is shaded. Use these tools! Use them to pick races and
distances suitable for you. Use them to prepare properly.
Hot,
cold, and wet weather are not a runner's friend, but they are part of
running reality. Be aware of a race location's seasonal weather
patterns, and use online tools such as AccuWeather's weather
forecasts. The point isn't so much avoidance – by the time you know
rain is probable, you've already registered – but planning. Dress
appropriately for cold weather. Bring extra snacks and hydration for
hot. Bring extra clothes and shoes for wet weather and/or mud. Except
in the heaviest cloud cover, use sunscreen.
Be
realistic in challenging yourself. Learn what your abilities are on
your neighborhood streets, a community track, or a local trail. Pick
a race appropriate for your abilities, plan carefully, and be careful
in how aggressively you walk or run it.
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