TC10K Race – April 30th, 2017

One of the biggest running event of the year in Victoria BC is just around the corner: the 28th annual TC 10K run! This year the race is on Sunday, April 30th.

The TC10K Run is accepting registrations for racers of all ages, as well as, competitive and recreational wheelchair athletes , elite athletes, visually impaired athletes, Nordic pole walkers, and The Thrifty Foods 1.5K Family Run.  The Competitive Walk Category will not be offered this year.

Whether you are a seasoned runner or a first timer, here are a few tips to help you on your way:

The day before the race:

• Keep to your regular schedule, eat correctly, hydrate and get sleep. Race week isn’t the time to try new shoes, new food or drinks, new gear, or anything else you haven’t used on several workouts.
• Re-read your race package and double check that you have everything you need. Pack your race bag, lay out your clothes and runners and know what time you need to leave the house.

The night before the race:

• Make sure that everything you need for the morning is ready to go. Make sure you pack essential items such as the Race Bib number, safety pins, race timing chip, watch, smartphone etc.
• Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine the night before your race as it can have a dehydrating effect.
• Find out the weather conditions and dress accordingly Don’t overdress –  a good rule of thumb is to dress for 20 degrees warmer than it is outside.

Race day: before the race

•  Allow yourself plenty of time to travel to the race start area,  check in, and warm up – factoring in the large crowds and street closures.
• The race start area will be chaotic. At the start of the race there will be lots of people running shoulder to shoulder so be mentally prepared for this. Take a few minutes to find your pace.
• Line up early, so you don’t have to be rushing to the starting line
• Try not to stress about the race – The TC10K  Race is a positive community events. There are volunteers throughout the race that will be cheering you on, offering water, and entertainment along the route.

For a “first timer”, is is better to start slow, and stay steady. Run the first 10 percent of the race slower than you normally would, and then keep an even pace throughout the reminder of the race.  Save your extra energy for the final stretch to the finish line.

Race day: after the race

• When you’ve crossed the finish line, grab some water and get in some calories when you finish, then keep moving.  A 15 minute walk will help your recovery.
• The next day, it’s important to do some sort of non impact activity like swimming to help your body recover.

On race day, it’s all about believing in yourself, enjoying the journey and having fun.