Over the weekend I met up with Ref Jenn to run a Chocolate 5K. We survived, and have the following tips for fellow runners:
- Find an interesting run, preferably with lots of swag.
- Choose an out of town location to make a weekend out of it.
- Choose a running partner who is more organized and responsible than you are. This will make your life easier. For example, they might have portable drinking thingies (not to be confused with water bottles or sippy cups).
- Do some training/prep work.
- Make a packing list.
- Refer to the packing list.
- Be sure to pack your running shoes.
- Give yourself time to stop to buy shoes, should you forget them.
- Be sure not to 'break in' new sandals and running shoes the week of your run.
- Bring bandaids.
- Have a tiny car so when you do things together, the other person drives.
- From Ref Jenn: be sure to leave for the race last, so your running partner is the sucker who has to stand in line and collect both race kits.
- Another Ref Jenn tip: Be sure to leave the race area last before your goodbye brunch. That way the race partner waits for a table at the restaurant while you drive around chillin'.
- Sign up for your next race right away, so you keep the momentum.
(Also, Ref Jenn's tips were assumed and may not reflect her actual tips on this matter).