The morning of a race

If its a half or less I dont usually eat (I will if its an 11am start, but my body is slow at digesting and i just invite a stitch otherwise )...

For 5ks I run a 5k warm up broken into a slow 2.5k and a faster just sub race pace 2.5k

For a 10k I'll do a few miles and then some nice strides, for a 10 miler or a half I'll do a mile or so gentle jog then warm up in the first mile 

Whats with all the showering when you are going to get sweaty?!? Not worrying about photos are we?

For races up to 10k in distance, I'll do a 2 mile warm up and 1 mile warm down and then about 10 - 15 minutes of stretching - it's essential.

As for your 'morning of the race' routine, just do exactly the same as you would if it were a training run.  You could cut down on the water consumption though, as other posters have commented, it's only 10k so, unless it's really hot, you won't get dehydrated.

Good luck with it!

Thanks for the replies people.

 I think what I was trying to get across (and failed miserably) was that there were lots of things that you probably do for your first race (because of nerves, lack of experience etc) that you wouldn't do from then on (such as getting up stupidly early, not warming up properly) and I wanted to get a feel for what other people did.

I carried a water bottle with me last time as well - something I definitely won't be doing this time around!

Colonel Blimp wrote (see)

For races up to 10k in distance, I'll do a 2 mile warm up and 1 mile warm down and then about 10 - 15 minutes of stretching - it's essential.

As for your 'morning of the race' routine, just do exactly the same as you would if it were a training run.  You could cut down on the water consumption though, as other posters have commented, it's only 10k so, unless it's really hot, you won't get dehydrated.

Good luck with it!

I always do a warm up - minimum of 20 mins jogging, maybe it's just cause I'm getting older and a bit creeky, but I find I race much more comfortably than if I just turn up and run.  That applies to my club sessions too - usually 20-25 mins warm up before a club run.

Race day I get up early (nothing out of the ordinary), have a bowl of muesli, then make my way to the race giving myself time to arrive an hour before hand.  This mean that I can get parked without getting stressed looking for a parking space, time enough to do my warm up, nip to the loo, and socialise with the other runners.  I don't drink water before a race (or during if its 10k or less).

wake up and make cup of tea

decide it's a good day for a race

look on runners world for suitable races

realise it starts in 40 mins

throw on clothes grab a cereal bar and bottle of watrer and drive like a lunatic to race

run from car and hope to make registration in time

try to get breath back before gun fires

 well that was this morning anyway normally i have time to have breakfast and go to the toilet 10 times before the start just in case

I am running my 3rd 10k tomorrow 22/11 - its a late start at 1200 so I will be getting up at 0830 ish, have a quick shower - make a smoothie for breakfast - drink it -have loads of water and caffine-get running kit on - get into car -drive to race - try to go to loo - jog a bit - get round race - finish - look pleased with myself - pose for photos..

I also dye my hair a bright colour a few days before the race!!!!

happy racing