Photo Credit: Robert Couse-Baker

Charity fun runs might sound easy to some, but if you’ve never done one before, you’re probably a little nervous. Doing a run like this is a great way to show your support for a certain charity and raise money at the same time. But how can you make sure that you give it your all on the big day? Take a look at these steps to prepare for a charity fun run:

Do Your Research

First off do your research to find the run that’s right for you. If you’ve already signed up for one, make sure you know what it entails. Some fun runs will be obstacle courses, others will be mud runs. Some might even be colourful paint runs. Make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for so you can prepare yourself properly on the day. There are hundreds of different types. This will make the run seem much less scary on the day and make it easier for you to prepare!

Start Training

If you don’t exercise and even if you do, it’s a good idea to start training. A lot of runs are 5-10k, so you’ll need to get used to running or walking that distance. You don’t want to train every single day though! You need to start by working your way up slowly. You can then stagger your distances so you’re not running 10k every time to prepare. Make sure you keep things interesting and make things harder – this way, your run will seem easy in comparison. For example, you could try doing some uphill sprints, or running with a heavy weight. Rest is important too, so make sure you have a couple of days rest per week to give your body a chance to recover. Training too much will not help you to do better in your run, it’ll only hinder you.

Eat Right

Eating right in the weeks leading up to your run is really important too. Eating junk food will make you sluggish and slow you down – eat rubbish and you’ll definitely feel rubbish! Eat plenty of vegetables, and healthy carbs like sweet potato and rice. Protein is important too. You want to keep your muscle mass up; running can eat away at it, so make sure you eat lots of lean protein. You can take supplements too if you need to. Have the occasional treat, but don’t let them weigh you down. You can think about having a nice treat as a reward once you’ve completed your run! Make sure you experiment with different foods before you train so you can get a feel for what gives you the most energy and doesn’t slow you down. You’ll need to give your food a chance to digest, so bear that in mind.

Create a Team

If you’d like to raise more money for your chosen charity, you could consider creating a team. Ask your friends to join. You can then train together too. Make sure you all decide in advance whether you’ll wait for one another and run together or do your own thing. Make sure they are as committed as you are to the idea!

Spread the Word

Spread the word of your charity fun run so you can raise as much money as possible. You can do this in person and online. Write a note and put a sponsor form up at work. Don’t pressure people to donate, just let them know what this cause means to you and why you’re doing it. You can create a ‘Just Giving’ page too, so that your Facebook friends and anybody too far away to donate can get involved. Some local businesses may even be willing to sponsor you. They’ll get more exposure, and you both might even get some press out of it! The only way you’ll know is if you ask.

Pick an Outfit

Your outfit should be suitable to run in, but as this is a fun run, make it fun! You can dress in bright colours, wear a tutu, or dress up as a superhero. You could even wear cool accessories, like these breast cancer temporary tattoos. With things like this, you’ll make it even clearer as to what you’re running for.  You can afford to go as crazy as you want with your outfit on a fun run. Just make sure you practice running in it beforehand so you can make any adjustments. You don’t want to feel uncomfortable on a long run.

Take Care of Your Feet

One of the best things you can do in advance of your run is take care of your feet. Your feet are basically going to be running the show, so make sure you give them some TLC. Get rid of hard dead skin, and clip your toenails. Make sure you don’t clip your toenails too short or get rid of too much skin, as your feet will be very sore. If you’re unsure of what to do, then it’s best to visit a professional for a nice treatment. Keep them soft with moisturiser. I wouldn’t bother painting them though! You should also invest in some comfortable running socks. Suitable running shoes are so important too. You don’t want to get injured! The best thing you can do is go and have your feet looked at by a specialist running shoe retailer. They’ll take a look at your foot type and how you run and find the perfect shoe for you! Having soft feet, good socks and good shoes will make all the difference when it comes to the day of your run. It might not make it easy, but it’ll definitely make it more comfortable for you.

I hope these tips help you to prepare for your charity fun run. Above all else, make sure you actually have fun! You’re doing a great thing for charity, so enjoy it and be proud. Believe in yourself and you’ll get this done, no problem. Good luck!