What can I do if I want to participate in a mountain bike race that is soon?

I would like to ask for some tips. I haven't trained, but on weekends I ride mountain bike for fun, for about 20 miles in pavement 16-17/mph average. I used to ride in trails years ago so I do have an idea what is to ride in offroad and if I have to do some little jumps, I think I can, now I'm in my early 30s.

There is a MTB race in days that I would love to participate, I haven't ever been in that particular trail, so my first ride will be the official race and is about 8 miles long. I can't change that, I just haven't had time to train, work and other reasons.

Any ideas of the good things I can do at this time?, foods to eat in days before the race? in order to be in the best possible shape I can?. Thanks!

First off, your goals, in no particular order, should be finishing, having fun and getting experience. If you don't go racing with the intention of winning, you won't be disappointed.

Secondly, it is too late to physically prepare. Getting in peak condition takes months - not a few days. But don't worry about it. Beginner classes will have people with a wide variety of conditioning levels. There will be some folks who've ridden less than you have and there will be a few sandbaggers who should be in sport class. So, don't attempt to make any heroic attempts to get in shape before the race. You'll do far better if you go to the race with fresh legs.

Thirdly, you can mentally prepare. As another respondent suggested, attempt to preride the course. Go slowly and really study the terrain. Take tricky turns, shelves, rocks, etc. a couple times so you will understand the line. Also, get your bike ready to go.

Eat a good meal the night before. Have your normal meals on race day, but try not to eat for a couple hours before the race to let your stomach empty some. If you are hungry right before the race, you can eat a bananna.

Drink plenty of water the day before the race. Drink normally on the day of the race.

Get to the race course at least an hour ahead of time. (I like to get there about 1.5 hours ahead.) Sign in. Change your clothes. Warm up by riding very slowly and gently for 20 minutes prior to the start. Then do a few hard sprints right before the start. Go to the bathroom. Toe the line and go!

Hope you have lots of fun.

Hope this helps you out.

Read the best at www.bicycling.com, bikeradar.com,mbaction.com, eat PLENTY of carbo load ( pasta, fiber-rich food), PSYCHE yourself----watch mountain bike DVDs, talk to your hammering friends---ride with them with your iPoD on to cool music ( atmospheric to bloody speed metal when kicking butt!). Stretch out , check your bike so NOTHING will malfunction. Bring plenty of hydration and at the starting line---PREPARE for battle!

There isn't much you can do without any time. I would HIGHLY recommend riding the trail at least 1 time before race day. That is the best single thing you could do to prep for the race - by far.

With out much time left, ride the trail a few days prior to the race, study the course. Go for a ride the day before and DO NOT put in a major effort, go out and take an easy ride with a few short moderate efforts to loosen up so your legs don't feel dead on race day, (I prefer a road ride so not to get beat up.). On race day get there early and pre-ride the course again.
The #1 thing just enjoy it.
Note: Don't try to carb load the night before, stay hydrated stop drinking about 30min. prior, then take a few sips at the start line. (For an 8 mile race I would only drink at the start line, not during the race as it is a short one.)