entering-a-running-race

Your race training questions answered

Once you've embarked on the path towards running success, health, and fitness, you may feel it's time to enter one of the many running races around. Whether running a 10k for charity or entering a half-marathon simply to test your running stamina, running events are brilliant opportunities to test out your stamina and mental strength. Here we answer your questions about when it's the right time to enter a race and which one to choose.

1. I find I train better than I race. Why?
Wendy, Dundee

Answer: Unless I saw your training diary and/or observed you train, it is difficult to comment. The main reasons could be that you either get too nervous in a race, your freeze up and you talk yourself out of it mentally so that you do not perform to your present fitness level; or you are training too hard and have nothing left to take into the race as you are expending it all in training. Ensure you are tapering your training. Basically, tapering means that you ease your training back prior to your chosen race so that you come to it fresh and do not leave your best form on the training runs.

2. I have been running for two months, should I enter a marathon?
Haily, Plymouth

Answer: It depends basically on three things. Are you in good health? If the answer is yes you can move to question two, if not do not bother as you will need to be in good health to complete a full marathon. Are you running consistently and achieving a reasonable mileage? If the answer is no then you should reconsider your entry. If the answer is yes you can give it consideration and move to question three. How competitive do you want to be in the marathon? If the answer is that you want to be competitive, you have to improve your number sessions, mileage and the quality of your sessions over the next few months. If the answer is no you can get round by answering yes for the first two questions. Good luck.

3. My daughter is a very good runner for her age but has no local competition. Should she now compete against older athletes in a race?
Susan, Wolverhampton

Answer: There are varying views on this subject and my answer is that once you are a senior (including veteran runners) you are in that age group forever. Therefore I would move her through the age groups in the correct sequence to enjoy success whilst she can. When your daughter does eventually get to be a senior it is far more difficult to be successful. Different age groups are sometimes combined in school and club competitions, which will mean your daughter gets the opposition she requires.

4. I am having trouble with some of my kit (not trainers) rubbing and chaffing my skin on the long runs. Are there any remedies?
Julie, Burton

Answer: I would first of all check the fabric of the kit you are using and see whether you are allergic to any of the material. It may be that certain synthetics do not cause as much or any problems as others do. If it is happening with a variety of synthetics, then before you train, cover the sensitive areas with either Vaseline or talcum powder. As an extra precaution I would also ensure that the kit you are wearing is of a wicking nature so that it wicks away any perspiration and stops any of the perspiration irritating the sensitive areas any more.