On Sunday the 2nd of September over 20,000 runners are set to take to the streets of Glasgow to take part in the Great Scottish Run. If you’ve entered, or even if you’re supporting someone who’s entered you might like to read the following top 10 tips from Running Coach Lorn Pearson.
(If you like what you see, you can like Lorn’s Facebook Page here).
‘I first did the Great Scottish Run half marathon in 2010, dressed as Supergirl. And last year I ran the Great Scottish Run 10k, then ran up to the start of the Half Marathon and did that too. It’s a great event and one I keep going back to year after year. I love running around the Glasgow streets and parks I know so well (the course even goes past my front door!) and as ever the event is well organised and a great experience.
Here are my top 10 tips which will hopefully help you complete and enjoy the Great Scottish Run, whatever distance you’re running on Sunday.
1. THE DISTANCES: 10K & HALF MARATHON
The 10k is a very popular distance for all types of runners. It’s a good step up for people who have succeeded in running 5k and it’s a good distance for experienced runners too. The distance that a 10k covers is far enough to test any runner, yet short enough to be doable in a satisfyingly quick time, even if you’re new to running. Running 10k is a challenge that anyone can do, all it takes is a base level of fitness, a positive attitude and some training to get you across that finish line.
I’ve run many distances right up to ultramarathons, and the half marathon is one of my favourite distances to run. long enough to be a challenge but not as long or as daunting as marathon. If you can run a 10k non stop, you can probably run a half marathon – all it takes is a bit of dedication, training to increase your long runs, a bit of confidence and a little more positivity.
When running distances, be it 10k, or a half marathon, it can be a good idea to split them down into smaller chunks so they seem less daunting.
- So instead of 10k, think 2k, 2k, 2k, 2k and finally… 2k!
- And for a half marathon think of small runs of: 6 miles, 4 miles, 3.1 miles.
(or 3 miles, 3 miles, 3 miles, 3 miles, 1.1 miles to make up the 13.1 miles)
Tick each one off as you complete it and you should gain confidence and belief that you can do it as you go on and get closer and closer to that finish line.
2. THE ROUTES
You get a copy of the routes in the information leaflet in your race pack, but one thing it doesn’t show you is where the hills are – or even if there are any hills. I’ve done both routes myself, in training and in the event, so I know where all the up and down hills are.
For the GSR 10k route:
The hills on the 10k are:
- At the start: St Vincent Street: you probably won’t notice this much as you’ll be in a sea of runners. Smile when you hear the loud pitter patter of feet. 🙂
- Going onto the Kingston Bridge: take your mind off it by thinking how cool it is to be going over it!
- Up to mile 3 there’s a small gradual climb up Sheilds Road and St Andrew’s Drive.
- At mile 4: there’s a steady ongoing hill from mile 4-5: look down and tell yourself it’s flat!
- Then from mile 5 onwards when you turn onto Eglington Toll it’s more r less downhill all the way! 🙂
For the GSR Half Marathon route:
The half marathon course itself isn’t very hilly, but the elevation map below should give you an idea of where the hills are:
- At the start: St Vincent Street: you probably won’t notice this much as you’ll be in a sea of runners.
- Mile 4: Paisley Road West: a slow gradual hill which you won’t really notice up to mile 5.
- Mile 7-9: Pollok Park: after you enter Pollok Park there’s a bit of a climb (0.25 miles) then a down hill and around the corner in Pollok Park. Then there’s a downhill before you turn left along past the cows. After the cows you take another left up a short steep hill towards the Burrell Collection.
- Mile 10: a steady slight hill up past Crossmyloof.
- Then after that it’s more or less a nice steady downhill towards the Clyde with a right past the Gorbals and into Glasgow Green.
I’ve done some posts in the past with advice on how best to tackle uphills and downhills.
3. WEATHER
When you’re running and event it’s a must to check the weather before hand to make sure you wear the right clothes and prepare for the conditions.
STV weatherman Sean Batty said that rain will stay away for most of the weekend and runners should have a pleasant race with temperatures between 17C and 19C. He said: “It looks like a dry morning on Saturday but there will be a strong west wind so that should keep the runners quite cool. There is a chance of rain mid-afternoon.”
“There is a risk of a little bit of rain on Sunday morning but it will be a bright day and there will be less wind than on Saturday for the runners going over the Kingston Bridge.”
If you compare the weather to the previous few days, it can help you make a good decision about what the conditions are going to be like and what you should wear on the day.
4. WHAT TO WEAR
If it’s sunny, make sure you put on suncream and maybe wear a cap and some sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun. If it’s raining, you will get wet so I wouldn’t bother with a jacket, especially as it’s forecast to be a warm 17C-19C! A tip if you are hot when running is to either fill your cap with water, or pour water over your head and down your neck as you run.
I’ll be wearing shorts and my race vest, along with a big Saltire cape which I’ve worn for my past three half marathons I’ve run. As for trainers, it’s a good idea to wear the ones you’ve trained in, and don’t run in new trainers incase sore feet ruin the event for you! Wear what’s comfortable for you and what you’ve been training in.
There are changing and drop bag facilites at the finish in Glasgow Green which is a short walk from the start in George Square. You could wear a black bin bag to keep warm at the start, or an old top which you’re ok to throw away just before the race starts.
Me at the finish of the GSR 2010
If you fancy a laugh, you could add some fun into the Great Scottish Run by dressing up like I’ve done in the past. It takes the pressure off and makes the whole thing that little more special.
And if you want to get cheered on by supporters – why not put your name on your t-shirt? Every bit of encouragement helps, especially in the last mile or so.
5. PACING
If you’re not sure how to pace your run, look at some of your training runs and find out what the average pace per mile was for them. Divide the number of minutes you ran for by the distance and you’ll get your minute mile pace. Or you could use The Runners World Race Time Predictor to predict your race time, and get a race band on the Runners World Pace Band Generator here.
This year there are also pacers at the Great Scottish Runs. So if you have a realistic time in mind, find a pacer and try to stick with them (or overtake them!) to get your goal, achieve great things and maybe smash your PB!
At this year’s GSR half marathon there will be pace setters for the following times :
1.20 mins
1.30 mins
1.35mins
1.40mins
1.50mins
1.55mins (to get sub 2 hours).
2:15 (me!) mins
And for the 10k there will be pacers for: 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60 minutes. 🙂
Pacers will run the distance at the time allocated to them, and they should run a steady evenly paced speed.
I think the most important thing about pacing is to make sure that you don’t go out too fast, especially on a longer distance like the half marathon. Be conservative with your pace at the start (especially because you’ll be going up St Vincent Street in the first mile) and try to enjoy yourself rather than push yourself so hard that you don’t enjoy it. I’ve also done a Q&A here which might help.
6. HYDRATION & ENERGY
If you’re running the 10k, the chances are you won’t need any sports drinks or energy, but some water might help if you are thirsty. There are two water stations on the 10k route: one at 5k in (Scotland Street) and the other at 7k in (Maxwell Drive).
For the half marathon, I’d suggest you take on water when you need it and also take some form of energy. I usually use energy gels and take one around mile 5 and one at mile 10, but everyone is different. If you haven’t used them before in training, it’s not a good idea to try new energy gels or drinks on the day as it’s best to stick to what you’ve trained with.
However if you are using energy gels, I recommend holding one in your hand for 10-20 minutes before you take it to make it more fluid like and easy to take when you do gulp it down. Some people need to take gels with water and some people are quite happy just taking on board water for their runs. Do what’s right for you.
7. POSITIVITY & MINDSET
Running the Great Scottish Run is great challenge for anyone. However running for a 10k or half marathon can be a bit of a daunting thought so it’s a good idea to be positive and believe you can do it. Think positive thoughts and have positive self talk phrases or mantras to keep you going:
- You can do it
- Run strong
- Stay Strong
- This is easy
- Relax
- Have Fun
- Keep Going
You can think of a loved one who would be proud of you for all of your training and how well you do on the day or just take in the atmosphere and enjoy yourself. You’ve done the training – you can do it! 
For more on positivity and mindset see here:
Believe in yourself and think positively
Goal Setting and Motivation
Self doubt vs Self belief : ‘YOU CAN DO IT’
Are you a Positive or Negative person?
8. ENJOY YOURSELF
One of the most important things that I’ve learned about running is that you have to be able to enjoy yourself to keep coming back for more. If running is hard and you hate it… try to take the pressure off a bit. Slow your pace down and try to enjoy yourself and the experience of running in such a great and amazing event.
Me in the wolf outfit at the Women’s 10k in May 2010
Be realistic and flexible about any time goals you set yourself, run with a friend or dress up in fancy dress. My favourite events have been the ones where I haven’t put pressure on myself with time goals, but where I’ve dressed up in fancy dress, or run with friends to have a laugh and share the experience with them. You can encourage each other and laugh together later about the funny things you saw and did on the run.
How to run and enjoy it
10 ways to achieve your Personal Best
9. ON RACE DAY
Aim to get a good night’s sleep the night before the race (6-10 hours), hydrate well in the week before the event, and make sure you taper and rest adequately.
As already mentioned, try to avoid using anything new on race day (gels, trainers, or drinks). Always try to use the gear, energy and hydration types which you’ve used during training and which you are comfortable with.
Get up one to two hours before the start times (10k: 9:30, Half Marathon 11:00) and make sure you know how to get to George Square to start. Eat a good breakfast and one which you’ve eaten before training runs to make sure it agrees with you whilst on the run. The organisers suggest you get there around 30 minute before the start time.
You may be nervous before the start and it’s a good idea to go to the toilet before the start if you can. Hopefully you’ll have used your weeks of training to get a pre long run routine.
See how I prepare for long runs here:
Rituals & preparations for long runs / races
Running Long
10. RECOVERY
After your run, it’s important to keep moving if you can. Continuing to move around at a very low intensity for 5 to 10 minutes after a workout helps remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscles stiffness. There’s usually a massage tent at the event so you could go and get a good massage after all your hard work if you want.
It’s important to drink and eat well after your run. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and eat a good carb and protein based meal afterwards. I always recommend a chocolate milkshake for afters which helps your muscles recover and tastes really good too. 🙂
Make sure you get plenty of sleep afterwards and don’t jump right back into training. Take some well earned recovery time after an event, especially if you’re sore for few days after it. See my Top 10 Recovery Tips and my Rest and Recovery page.
You can bask in the knowledge that you were one of the thousands of runners who did the Great Scottish Run this year. Just don’t hang up your trainers for too long… get back into it when you feel ready to and remember to enjoy it! …Santa Dash anyone?’
Want to know more?
See more info on these links:
Runners World: Half Marathon Training
RunnersWorld: BIG Half Marathon Index
Top 10 Marathon Tips
Half Marathon Strategy
Up Hill Running Tips
Downhill Running
Run Workouts (using your Heart Rate)
Progressive training runs for the Half Marathon
Top Ten Ways to Avoid Over Training
Simple Treadmill Hill Run
Pacing
Running Long
Top 10 Long Run Tips
Q: Running long and thoughts on runs
Suitably pleased with that long run….
5/5 Top 10 ways to achieve your personal best
Believe in yourself and think positively
My goals for the D33: Tick! + some tips!
Goal Setting and Motivation
Self doubt vs Self belief : ‘YOU CAN DO IT’
Are you a Positive or Negative person?
Lorn Pearson Trains... 
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