First 5k in 3 weeks

bethany_jurries

My very first 5k is on Aug 7th. I am really nervous about not being ready in time. I can run 1.5 miles without stopping but I would like to finish the entire race without stopping. What should I do to be prepared. Anyone with experience have any advice to get ready? Any advice for the day of the race? Thanks!

rawad

I've never done an official 5K race, but I have done the C25K program and it's a fabulous way to build up your running time and mileage. It's a 9 week program, but since you are already running 1.5 miles you could probably start at Week 5 and build up from there. It's a combination of running and walking, with the idea being to increase the running segments each week so that by the end you are running either 30 minutes or 5K non-stop (personally I do the 30 minutes, and have yet to reach 5K - I'm a very slow runner!).

Here's a link to the program - and there are podcasts and such to use with it, so you know when to walk and when to run.

http://www.c25k.com/

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Best advice I got was when increasing your running time, keep it slow!

Good luck!

Panda86

I don't have any advice But I know if you set your mind to it, you can do it! I'll be prayin' for ya!

MrsSki

Are you completely opposed to walking during the race? If you aren't quite at 3.1 miles, than I would do some trial run/walks of a 5k with walking included. Once you get a feel for the length of the race, you can decide what portions you want to run and what portions you want to walk. I'm run/walking a 5k this Sunday. I can really only run about a mile without stopping. So my plan is to run about 3/4 a mile in the beginning, walk the middle, and then run the last 1/4 mile to the finish line.

And what I mean by walking, I mean a fast walking pace, not a stroll. Somewhere around 4 mph.

jheller

I ran my first 5K last weekend. I live next to a lake that is about the same length give or take a tenth of a mile or so. I can't run it yet nonstop either but I found whether it was the excitement or fear (haha) but I did a personal best in time. I felt old, slow and fat but there were plenty of other old,slow, fat runners out there with me so I didn't feel out of place. The only advice I can give you is what I kept telling myself "run your race, run your race, run your race". Don't feel like you have to keep up with anyone and don't compare yourself to anyone. This is YOUR race so finish it well.

I made the mistake of comparing myself to others and was pretty depressed the next few days afterward because I felt that I should have finished in front of this person or that person. DON'T DO THAT. You don't know them and you don't know who or what they are. So keep on training - don't over do it the few days before hand - and have fun.

Lets us know how it comes out.

bethany_jurries

I ran my first 5K last weekend. I live next to a lake that is about the same length give or take a tenth of a mile or so. I can't run it yet nonstop either but I found whether it was the excitement or fear (haha) but I did a personal best in time. I felt old, slow and fat but there were plenty of other old,slow, fat runners out there with me so I didn't feel out of place. The only advice I can give you is what I kept telling myself "run your race, run your race, run your race". Don't feel like you have to keep up with anyone and don't compare yourself to anyone. This is YOUR race so finish it well.

I made the mistake of comparing myself to others and was pretty depressed the next few days afterward because I felt that I should have finished in front of this person or that person. DON'T DO THAT. You don't know them and you don't know who or what they are. So keep on training - don't over do it the few days before hand - and have fun.

Lets us know how it comes out.

I like that "run your race" I am going to get that in my head! :-) thank you! And great job by stepping out and trying something like a 5k! You did it no matter how fast or slow you did it! That is wonderful!

bethany_jurries

Are you completely opposed to walking during the race? If you aren't quite at 3.1 miles, than I would do some trial run/walks of a 5k with walking included. Once you get a feel for the length of the race, you can decide what portions you want to run and what portions you want to walk. I'm run/walking a 5k this Sunday. I can really only run about a mile without stopping. So my plan is to run about 3/4 a mile in the beginning, walk the middle, and then run the last 1/4 mile to the finish line.

And what I mean by walking, I mean a fast walking pace, not a stroll. Somewhere around 4 mph.

I guess I am not completely opposed to walking some but I just think of a 5k as a run. But it does say on the registration 5k walk/run. I will test it out today and see how much of it I can run. Thanks for the help! :-) Great job on signing up for one! Make sure you tell us how it goes!!

bethany_jurries

I don't have any advice But I know if you set your mind to it, you can do it! I'll be prayin' for ya!

Thanks for all your encouragement! I am gonna need the prayers :-)

bethany_jurries

I've never done an official 5K race, but I have done the C25K program and it's a fabulous way to build up your running time and mileage. It's a 9 week program, but since you are already running 1.5 miles you could probably start at Week 5 and build up from there. It's a combination of running and walking, with the idea being to increase the running segments each week so that by the end you are running either 30 minutes or 5K non-stop (personally I do the 30 minutes, and have yet to reach 5K - I'm a very slow runner!).

Here's a link to the program - and there are podcasts and such to use with it, so you know when to walk and when to run.

http://www.c25k.com/

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Best advice I got was when increasing your running time, keep it slow!

Good luck!

Thank you I think that site is going to be a big help to me! :-)

nopeekiepeekie

My thoughts are start out at a slow jog, then do intervals of fast jogging & speed walking. Especially if you start getting out of breath, you'll want to make sure you slow your heart rate down a bit.

thenebean9

I suggest that you go out there and have fun and do your best! If you have to walk, it's ok! My mom (who has run 11 marathons in her 10 year running career) will even stop during a 5k if she feels like her body needs it. She says it makes more sense to give yourself a quick breather, and get back to running than it would to run through it. She finished the 5k we ran this past weekend in 25 minutes and she stopped at both water stations for a few seconds to cool off and rest. It doesn't mean any less to have to stop! The fact that you're even out there in the first place should be enough

Best of luck!!