10 Do’s & Don’ts for Preparing for adidas King of the Road 10k

One of the most anticipated races of the country, the adidas King of the Road, is exactly one month away. If you’re one of the thousands who’s signed up and all set to run, here are my top ten do’s and don’ts for newbie runners preparing for the 10k distance:

WHILE TRAINING

1 > DO train for the race. The 10k distance is an event that you must seriously prepare for by gradually building up your mileage weeks before the race. Never ever say you’ll just wing the race and pray you survive. That is no way to participate in a race. Once registered, commit to training seriously for the event and enjoy the training experience.

2 > DO follow a training program. If you’re serious about running and race, it’s best to follow a training program from a coach or a reputable running website. It gives you a weekly schedule and allows you to monitor your distance and pace ensuring you don’t over or under train. It also keeps you safe from injury. Best of all, it teaches you discipline and how to train properly for an event.

3 > DON’T eat all you want. Some newbie runners, especially those who are trying to lose weight, think that they can indulge with their diet since they’re working out more. While it’s true that you’re burning more calories, you still have to watch what you eat. If anything, adopting a healthy lifestyle through running, will help you to be more conscious not just about weight management, but eating to care for your body and use it as fuel for optimal performance.

4 > DO run with a buddy or a group. For most runners, it’s easier to lace up and train when they’ve got other people to be accountable to. It also makes the training experience more fun when you share conversations and experiences with like-minded people who are eager to get on the road to fitness through running.

5 > DON’T train for speed all the time. Most newbie runners immediately want to run fast in their first race. There’s nothing wrong with that. But, if you do wish to train for speed, then make sure you train the right way. Include speed work in your training program only once or twice a week. Do not run fast during each workout. Better yet, consult a coach to ensure you get proper training.

ON RACE DAY

6 > DO think positive. Most new runners are petrified by the thought of racing. Negative thoughts arise such as “What if I finish last?” or “What if I don’t finish at all?” It’s normal to feel anxious because you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. But, overcome all your worries by inviting positive and powerful thoughts and have confidence in your own capabilities.

7 > DON’T wear brand new shoes on race day. It’s always great to get yourself a brand new pair of shoes for race day. But, make sure you break this in properly. Give yourself at least a month to use the shoe during training so you’re certain about the fit and comfort come race day. That means, get yourself those shoes NOW.

8 > DO hydrate properly. Some runners fail to give importance to proper hydration. It’s important to drink water if you’re running less than an hour and take a sports drink if you run over an hour to replenish your electrolytes. Heat stroke is a serious threat especially with the sun beating down on us.

9 > DON’T give up. There will be times when, during the race, you may think “Why am I doing this?” or “I’m in pain. I wish I could stop.” Always remember that the pain and discomfort is temporary and you must rise above it. Focus on your goal: to finish strong and happy and to achieve something that you never thought you could.

10 > DO run your own race. When the race starts, you may get overwhelmed with the crowd of runners going at their own pace. Resist the urge to go as fast as they are. Run at your own pace as you trained and planned. Always remember that you are your own King or Queen of the Road and no one can tell you otherwise.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD 2013

adidas King of the Road will be on July 7, 2013 at Bonifacio Global City.  If you have signed up yet, there are two ways to register for this year’s adidas King of the Road Philippines:

1. Visit http://adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph and register online by filling up all the required fields (not available for 10KM Relay for Students). Online registration is open from May 2 to June 23, 2013.
2. Visit any of the seven (7) adidas KOTR 2013 registration sites in the following stores —adidas Greenbelt 3, adidas SM Mall of Asia, adidas SM Megamall, adidas Powerplant, adidas Trinoma, adidas Two Parkade (Bonifacio Global City), or Runnr at Bonifacio High Street. Onsite registration is open from May 2 to June 30, 2013.

Race fees are as follows: P1,300 for the 16.8K race; P1,100 for for the 10K regular race; and P800 for for the 10K students’ race. Runners signing up for the 10K students’ race will have to present vaild student IDs (must be valid until July 7, 2013) at the registration sites.

There is also a discount for runners that sign up in large groups. Participants who register with their friends and family at the same time at the registration site get the following discounts:

• Group of 10 runners = Php100 off each
• Group of 15 runners = Php150 off each
• Group of 20 runners = Php200 off each

For more news, updates, and promos on adidas KOTR 2013, visit www.facebook.com/adidas or follow the conversation with #kotrph2013.