Top 5 Race Prep Tips ahead of the Virgin Media Night Run 2016
• Only 2 Weeks to go to the Virgin Media Night Run 2016 on May 22nd
• Virgin Media Night Run to support Dublin Simon Community with 60 Virgin Media staff raising 10k for the charity
Dublin, Thursday May 5th 2016: With just two weeks to go to the Virgin Media Night Run on Sunday 22nd May, trainer to the Virgin Media Night Run team and founder and running coach with ForgetTheGym.ie, Mary Jennings has put together five top tips to get the most out of your final training sessions and prepare for the race itself.
Mary says…
1. Get to know the race route
If possible walk, run or even drive the course before race day and you will be comforted to see how flat and scenic it is. By familiarising yourself with the race route you can visualise your run and more importantly work out where to start your sprint finish so you don’t sprint too early!
2. Practice your race day food
9.30pm is not the usual running time for most of us so plan your meals sensibly for race day. Hydrate early in the day rather than later in afternoon or evening. Eat a normal breakfast, your main meal at lunchtime and something lighter in the early evening so you feel comfortable and confident running.
3. Plan your journey to the start line
With a large amount of people descending on the quays, think about how you will travel to the event. Plan to arrive 1 hour before the race start so you have time for toilets, walking to race start, warmup and most importantly time to relax and enjoy the wonderful pre-race atmosphere.
4. Update your training plan
Be practical about what training you can do between now and race day. Work out the time you have available and based on this decide what is realistic for you in terms of pacing and race strategy. Cramming for a race doesn’t work. Build up your mileage gradually over these last few weeks and wind down training in the days leading up to the race.
5. Recruit some cheerleaders
Nothing will make you feel better than seeing friends and family cheer you along the race route. It will add a pep to your step and will keep you running even if you feel like stopping. Round up your friends and make an evening of it in Dublin city.
The route, starting at Custom House Quay takes in the IFSC, Grand Canal Dock and scenic City Quays will see thousands of enthusiastic runners of all levels and ages enjoying a great night out along the streets and riversides of Dublin over the 10k course. Virgin Media will provide all runners taking part with a brand new red hot running top to be worn on the night along with numerous other goodies.
Register now online at www.virginmedia.ie/nightrun. Entries close on Thursday May 18th. Anyone who registers will receive a free Virgin Media running pack, which includes a Virgin Media jogging vest and race number (chipped and time monitored).
The Virgin Media Night Run is in partnership with Athletics Ireland and the Dublin Simon Community. You can also donate to the Dublin Simon Community by texting ‘NIGHTRUN’ to 50300 to make a €2 donate or go online www.virginmedia.ie/nightrun.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
*The above tips have been prepared by running coach Mary Jennings and are provided as general advice only. Experienced runners will already have their own preparation plans. Novice runners should start slowly and gradually develop their fitness levels. If in any doubt about your fitness levels, consult a qualified fitness advisor or your health practitioner.
About Mary Jennings
Mary Jennings is founder and running coach with ForgetTheGym.ie. Mary trains beginners and marathoners and everyone in between to enjoy running and stay injury free. See ForgetTheGym.ie for more details. Mary is also providing advice to the 60-strong Virgin Media Ireland team who are running the Virgin Media Night Run.
Follow us on Twitter: @VirginMediaIEPR
