We asked the Runkeeper community what advice they would give to a runner who was about to run their very first race. Here’s what they had to say:

16 Pieces of Advice for Anyone Running Their First Race

1. “Don’t stress about it—you can always walk!”

@AnaLiss0

walk

2. “You’ll always remember your first race. Do your best, but make sure to enjoy it.”

@SmartWatermelon

have fun

3. “Have you pooped?”

-Craig via Facebook

there is no bathroom

4. “Think about all the food at the finish line!”

@Elementtuch

food

5. “Listen to the crowd, they give you energy.”

-Ashely via Facebook

energy

6. “Start out slower than you want to finish.”

@Danny_Ray5

7. “Regret caused by quitting lasts longer than the muscle soreness.”

-Michel via Facebook

8. “Find your mantra you can chant when you’re feeling like “why the F did I sign up for this again?!”

-Michelle via Facebook

9. “Enjoy it all…training is work, the race is celebration.”

-Ken via Facebook

10. “Don’t try to keep up with everyone, run your own race.”

@RunInRedSox

Phoebe-Running

11. “Finishing walking is finishing. Finishing slowly is finishing. You are lapping everyone on the couch.”

-Kim via Facebook

1 walk

12. “Look, you may lose hope before you reach the end. But when your friends wake up and see you finished, it would be worth it.”

@tipcan

13. “Run the mile that you’re in! Don’t stress over what looms ahead.”

@Fblake77

youre almost there

14. “You will find a buddy/mate at your pace, stay with them & encourage each other.”

@SRWaddle93

15. “SMILE at the finish—that’s where they take most of the pictures.”

-Kelly via Facebook

look at the camera

16. “Tie your shoes.”

@JakubKusmierz

What advice would you give to someone running their first race? Let us know in the comments!

Happy running!