Signed up for my first "race"

pondee629
pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
edited November 30 in Fitness and Exercise
in about 20 years.

The "Run the Hook" at Sandy Hook N.J. May 15. A 5K. They will also have a 10K but let's not get ahead of ourselves. "Race" is in quotes because, in my little mind, "Race" just means group run. Currently doing 4.75 miles at an average 10:35 per mile pace. Walking the first quarter as a warm up and the last half as a cool down. Both included in the average.

Looking forward to it. I'll report after it's over.

Replies

  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    Your ready to go already. My first 5k is tomorrow morning 11 am. :)
  • Hfeff
    Hfeff Posts: 37 Member
    That's great. You are going to love it. After doing my first 5k I was hooked. I did about 6 more that year. Then I got pregnant. Now I'm working my way back up to three miles so I can do more races. I can't wait.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Tomk652015 wrote: »
    Your ready to go already. My first 5k is tomorrow morning 11 am. :)

    Enjoy and good luck.
    Hfeff wrote: »
    That's great. You are going to love it. After doing my first 5k I was hooked. I did about 6 more that year. Then I got pregnant. Now I'm working my way back up to three miles so I can do more races. I can't wait.

    Thanks.
  • cindyannette
    cindyannette Posts: 9 Member
    Great! I wish you well in your run!! I just signed up for my first one, too. Been running off and on for years but never did any organized runs. Just got back into running this year again and decided to start signing up for runs. I think it will keep me motivated. Best of luck to you!
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    Awesome. Now don't wait 20 more years for the next one. :)
  • BruinsGal_91
    BruinsGal_91 Posts: 1,400 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, the "race" (group run) is over. 5K, chip time 29:04; placement, 121/536; age and gender placement, 3/9. Overall, a good day.

    Now, on to Ridgewood, NJ on Memorial Day for another 5 K. Can this get addicting? ;-)

    **Looks at drawer full of 5k, 10k, and half marathon race shirts** Um, yes it can. I've got a 10k coming up in a few weeks and I can't wait. I had a couple of injuries (non-running related) and haven't done a 10k for a few years, so I'm really excited.
  • kc_lea
    kc_lea Posts: 65 Member
    Well done!!! I am starring down my first-ever 10K and my first race in about 5 years. It's nice to "meet" others in the same situation!
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    kc_lea wrote: »
    Well done!!! I am starring down my first-ever 10K and my first race in about 5 years. It's nice to "meet" others in the same situation!

    The biggest difference, "problem", I had with the race was traffic. After running by myself all the time, being in a group, each at their own pace, slowing, speeding up and suddenly stopping to walk, were all a challenge. Finishing felt great. I could get used to this.

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    kc_lea wrote: »
    Well done!!! I am starring down my first-ever 10K and my first race in about 5 years. It's nice to "meet" others in the same situation!

    The biggest difference, "problem", I had with the race was traffic. After running by myself all the time, being in a group, each at their own pace, slowing, speeding up and suddenly stopping to walk, were all a challenge. Finishing felt great. I could get used to this.

    Great Job!!!

    As you get more race experience you will learn where the best place is for you to start. Then you will be with others that are going your speed and you won't have to dodge as many bodies.

    And yes, this is very addicting. B)
  • caitlinrn83
    caitlinrn83 Posts: 178 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, the "race" (group run) is over. 5K, chip time 29:04; placement, 121/536; age and gender placement, 3/9. Overall, a good day.

    Now, on to Ridgewood, NJ on Memorial Day for another 5 K. Can this get addicting? ;-)

    You must be running with the same group my good friend (and running inspiration) is running with. ORC, by any chance?
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    caitlinrn83 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, the "race" (group run) is over. 5K, chip time 29:04; placement, 121/536; age and gender placement, 3/9. Overall, a good day.

    Now, on to Ridgewood, NJ on Memorial Day for another 5 K. Can this get addicting? ;-)

    You must be running with the same group my good friend (and running inspiration) is running with. ORC, by any chance?

    No group. Just me. At first I was looking for a group run to start, was always fond of the Hook, so I started there. Ridgewood is a neighboring town so, after a good day on the Hook, signed up for that one on Memorial Day. Should be done in plenty of time to make my friends BBQ.
    I have no idea what/who ORC is.
    Did your Friend Run the Hook?
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    Congrats on a solid race. Any time you qualify for the podium (3rd of 9!) in your age group, that's a howling success in my book!
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Djproulx wrote: »
    Congrats on a solid race. Any time you qualify for the podium (3rd of 9!) in your age group, that's a howling success in my book!

    Third of nine did feel good ;-) Breaking 30 minutes was a bit of a surprise also. Felt so good, signed up for another for Memorial Day. This could get to be a habit. Almost forgot how much I like running.

  • caitlinrn83
    caitlinrn83 Posts: 178 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    caitlinrn83 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    Did your Friend Run the Hook?

    She did, and she's training for some insane 50k. ORC=Ocean Running Club
    I moved away years ago, but have many fond memories of the jersey shore. Grew up in TR.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    great shot. congrats
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, the "race" (group run) is over. 5K, chip time 29:04; placement, 121/536; age and gender placement, 3/9. Overall, a good day.

    Now, on to Ridgewood, NJ on Memorial Day for another 5 K. Can this get addicting? ;-)

    Race entries should come with the following warning:

    "Running is highly addictive and has been known to cause awesomeness......"

    5Ks are definitely a gateway race, congrats on a great result.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member

    Makin' it look easy! Can't wait to hear about the next one.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Djproulx wrote: »
    Makin' it look easy! Can't wait to hear about the next one.

    Easy, no. Felt real good, though. Who would've thought losing 30 pounds would feel so good. Also, 4.7 miles three times a week makes 5 K seem short ;-) Looking forward to Ridgewood. Had forgotten how good it feels to run in and finish a "race".
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    "Also, 4.7 miles three times a week makes 5 K seem short ;-) "

    This made me smile. Its this kind of thinking that turns people into endurance athletes. :)
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Djproulx wrote: »
    "Also, 4.7 miles three times a week makes 5 K seem short ;-) "

    This made me smile. Its this kind of thinking that turns people into endurance athletes. :)

    But it causes me worry should I decide to move up to a 10K or more. Do I really need to go over the distance several times a week to do a credible 10 K or Half marathon?
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    First, full disclosure: I am not a running coach. I've trained under a running coach for three years and worked as a pacer for runners training for the HM distance, so my comments are based on that experience.

    So to answer your question: No, not required. (It really depends on what you mean by "credible" :smile: ) You could be successful doing several "shorter" runs and then one longer run each week. The weekly long run would be done at an easy pace to allow you to complete the distance. The distances increase over the course of a 10-12 week training program, to the point where you might do your longest run of 11 or 12 miles two weeks if you were targeting a Half Marathon distance race.

    The idea is that the increase in running frequency helps your body adapt and get more efficient at the work of running, the increase in duration helps you build strength to endure the longer time on your feet and the Intensity work (speed work) helps your body adapt to the strain of operating under increased stress(higher heart rate, ability to increase oxygen utilization, etc).

    So, for example, a half marathon training plan might look like this in week 1:

    Frequency: 5 days on: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat and 2 days rest (Sun and Wed)
    Duration : 4m, 4m, varies , 4m . 6m
    Intensity easy, easy , speed, easy, easy
    (the speed work could be done on a track or road. different types of speed work)

    The distances would build slowly, mostly on the longer Saturday runs.
    The speed work (1 x/week) would help your body adapt to performing while uncomfortable (heart rate, oxygen,etc)

    If you wanted to get a bit more information on speed work, you might look up these three types of speed work to learn a bit more:
    1 Tempo runs (an elevated effort for a fixed duration usually inside of a longer run)
    2 Fartlek runs (elevated effort for a random periods of time, ie, run fast to the next stop sign)
    3. Intervals. (4 x 400 yds at 5k race pace - 10 sec, etc)

    Finally, speed work needs to only happen once/week (no more than 20% of the total training volume)

    Sorry, sort of long. Hope it helps.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Thanks. Sticking with the 4.7, 4.7 & 6.5+ (T,Th, Sat, weights on other days, off Sundays)) for now, and running 5 Ks. Looking to increase distance pretty much as the mood strikes. Might strike after the Ridgewood NJ Memorial Day 5K.
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