River Run Geelong returns this weekend for its 8th year! With both a 10km and a 5km event, there is certainly something for everyone this year. With only a few days till the run, Colac and Drysdale podiatrist, Andrew Graham, has his top tips to get you race ready!
- Make sure you have the right footwear! Ideally, you already have the right fit for you and have been able to do at least 100km in them prior to the race. If your current pair look a little on the tired side it might be worth updating after this weekend’s race. Most pairs of runners will generally last anywhere between 500-900km so if yours have covered some high mileage head into Active Feet Ocean Grove to get fitted professionally for your next pair of shoes.
- Focus on mobility. If you’ve been increasing your training loads prior to this weekend’s event, there’s a good chance you’ll be needing to increase your mobility work too. Take the extra time to focus on reducing stiffness through your calf muscles by doing some daily stretching or jumping on the foam roller. Another area to focus on is your feet! Improving your foot’s mobility will reduce fatigue. Grab a tennis ball and roll your foot over the top, focus on doing slow and controlled movements.
- Stay hydrated! A simple yet easily forgotten essential for your training and race day routine. This year’s River Run Geelong will have 5 drink stations at 2km intervals. Make sure you know where they are and put them to good use! Alternatively, dust off your hydration pack and bring it along this weekend.
- Arrive early. Try to avoid the stress of arriving close to the start time. Get in early, do your warm-up and get to the start line with plenty of time!
This weekend is sure to be another enjoyable event for all those in attendance. Similar to previous years, the River Run will be supporting River’s Gift and their pursuits of stamping out SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). So come on down, buy some merchandise and most importantly, have fun!
Podiatrist