First 5K race day advice

 Doing my first 5K on Saturday.  Any advice? 

Should I get a stopwatch thing?
Rest legs on Friday?
Got my compression shirt, might get compression shorts?
New running shoes as a treat for myself?  :)

any and all advice appreciated!  I am excited bu nervous, I have family and friends coming to watch me.... I know I won't break speed records but hope to do well enough.  I have been getting between 3.1-3.2 during my 30minute jog+5minute warm up.  So not sure what is realistic on race day.  And that was on the treadmill.  I am hoping to finish in under 45, my son is doing his race at that time.  6 months ago I was 404lbs, today hit 130lbs gone, it's amazing.  And here I am on my off day running, and bonding with my son.  I love it!  :)

First, congratulations on your weight loss so far, you're doing great!!  I'm very far from being a vet (having done a whopping one 5K so far lol), but since nobody's answered you yet, I'll go first with what I can.

One of the biggest no-nos I kept reading about before mine was wearing anything new, especially shoes.  You don't know how anything's going to feel after a few minutes, if it'll be too tight here or too loose there, or rub the wrong way in uncomfortable places, etc.  New shoes are a wonderful treat to yourself, but go get them after the race! 

Otherwise, you don't NEED a stopwatch, but you might want one just to see where you are as you pass the mile markers. 

Biggest thing is just to enjoy the experience, don't be nervous ('cause what's there to be nervous about, really?), and most of all have FUN!!  Good luck, and post your report! 

Just have fun ..... and don't get caught up in emotion and come out to fast ! Keep YOUR pace until you see the finish and then give it everything you have left. But most of all just enjoy it .... it's your day!

 Thanks for the advice.  I am stoked!  I look forward to the challenge and today I am just ready.  

Good point on the anything new.  My shoes seem comfy, but they aren't "running" shoes.  

I think my biggest challenge will be getting excited and trying to keep up with the seasoned folks.  lol  But I am in my own race and shouldn't bother about what other people are running.

Have fun and don't worry about time.  Your first will always be a record and one you never forget.

Here is what i would do. Start near the back, run a pretty conservative first mile, honest second mile and hammer the third mile. Good luck.

just have fun and enjoy the experience.  if you start in the middle or the front be aware of the surge, it is easy to get caught up in the atmosphere and go out too fast.  if you are aware of it, it is easy to overcome.  race days are definitely not the day to go with new equipment.  best of luck!