If it hadn’t been for two poorly timed summer holidays I would be continuing my ever present streak at Run Norwich this Sunday.

Still, with four out of six completed including the hot one, the wet one and the one dressed as an astronaut, I’ve got 40k worth of experience when it comes to Norfolk’s biggest road race.

I’ve heard plenty of people getting worried or nervous about what to expect this week so

I’m here to share my wisdom.

Whether it’s your first one, seventh one, or you’re somewhere in between, here are my tips to getting the most out of Sunday’s big day.
 

1) Run on Saturday
Woah! You’re kidding right? Yes you heard it, don’t spend Saturday doing nothing, go for a run. 

Take in a slow parkrun or just go for a gentle saunter. You will definitely shake off some pre-race nerves with a mild mile or two on the Saturday morning. If the thought of going for a run really doesn’t appeal, a walk in your race day running shoes will take your mind off Sunday morning.
 

2) Try your kit on
Get everything ready on Saturday so there are no last minute dramas on Sunday morning. 

You could do worse than putting all your kit on and making sure you’re happy with it.

Don’t make any big last minute changes. Give your toenails a trim and cover anything that may rub with plasters. Comfort is key for race day.
 

3) Don’t have a big breakfast
By all means eat on race day morning, but keep it to a banana, flapjack, cereal bar or small bowl of porridge - and make sure you get it in early - I won’t be eating anything after 6.30am. 

Remember, you’re running a little over six miles. You don’t need any Elvis-style breakfasts. Take a bottle of water with you that you can sip on in the starting pens and then throw away. Maybe have an energy gel with you to take in the early stages if needed for a boost towards the end.
 

4) Get there early and enjoy the atmosphere
There’s nothing worse than feeling rushed on race day. 

Get into the city, drop your bag off with a towel and change of top inside - you may want to think about a nice cool drink inside a cool bag too - and wander around Chapelfield soaking up the race village feeling. Now is the time to get your smiley, happy picture taken if you don’t want to look like a sweaty mess on social media later on Sunday.
 

5) Place your fanbase
“We saw you, but you didn’t see us”. That’s the usual post-race comment I’ve had hurled at me.

Non-runners won’t appreciate how hard it is to spot friends and family on the sidelines while you are running. Instead of getting them to stand outside M&S nibbling a croissant with half of Norwich, get them to move to the quieter parts of the course. You’ll appreciate their support far more on King Street, Riverside Road or Tombland - and at all three places they can make it back to Chapelfield to meet you after the finish.
 

6) Pace makes for the perfect race
Seasoned Run Norwich-ers know the first half of the race is easier than the second half. 
With nice drops down St Stephens Street, Westlegate and down to King Street there are sections on the first 5k in which you’ll be feeling great about everything.

It does get tougher though in the second half so enjoy those nice downhills early on and try and save something in the tank for the second 5k.
 

7) Don’t be scared of Rose Lane
As if by magic, that second 5k starts right at the bottom of Rose Lane, which has becoming something of a myth in Run Norwich circles. 

It’s really not that tough and as soon as you are at the top of it, you get to glide down Prince of Wales Road. The same can’t be said for the drag up Tombland to Castle Meadow with about a mile to go, that’s a far tougher challenge in my book.
 

8) Avoid the Whitefriars wobble
The strangest part of the course is almost certainly at Whitefriars. 

With about a mile to go you’ll leave the cathedral grounds and run away from the city centre with no supporters around and end up near Anglia Square. This is the time to give yourself a good talking to. 

You’re 80 per cent in to this run so now it’s time to regroup while nobody is looking and prepare for that last burst of pace to the finish. You may question everything at this point, but there’s no need for a Whitefriars wobble, you are so close to finishing.
 

9) Smile for the cameras
Try and hold some sort of decent form once you’re on Castle Meadow and push yourself up Rampant Horse Street so you can turn towards the Forum and sprint over the finish line. 

There’s nothing like doing this as fast as you can, even if you’ve had a sneaky walk at Whitefriars. 

Whatever you do, try and look happy as you cross that line!
 

10) Enjoy the post race glow
Grab a beer, enjoy whatever food you like, have a bubble bath, plaster your sweaty face all over Facebook, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. 

But don’t wait another year for your next running challenge. 

You’ve smashed this 10k and there are plenty more running events in Norfolk during the rest of the year. 

I’ll see you at the Worstead five miler on Friday week.