How long did it take you....

spammyanna
spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
to get ready for your first 5k? I recently quit smoking, and I have substituted running in its place. I went and invested in a pair of great shoes, and have been running everyday. Right now I can do about .5 to .75 miles at a time, am and working on building up to 5k. How long did it take you to build up to 5k? I want to set a goal for my first one, but don't know how long is realistic!

Thanks everyone!

Replies

  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    Sigh. I'd like to know as well. I can finally run a mile straight but am struggling to get past that. Currently I'm taking 4-5 5 second breaks, usually after every .2 mile ...
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    I trained for my first one in 8 weeks. I used the program on halhigdon.com. didn't stick to it exactly because, you know, life happens.

    I was in terrible shape to start. Could barely go a quarter mile. Finished my first 5k at a blistering 39 minutes and change. But I never stopped "running" it (trot maybe). Such a great feeling, that last quarter of a mile, that I WAS GONNA DO IT!
  • Cinnamonie
    Cinnamonie Posts: 138
    It took a surprisingly short amount of time. Initially I was very discouraged, but soon noticed I was able to go longer and longer (had to switch up my playlist often to keep from getting bored) (not sure, at least 5weeks). It was my new years resolution to run one and I did, my first was 38min but in the gym I had only run 2 straight ones before then, and they took 45+min, so it really was a lot better to run outside, with everyone else, I even felt much less winded. It was a great time and I ran a 4mile race soon after. Love them.
  • spammyanna
    spammyanna Posts: 871 Member
    I don't think I am in terrible shape...but I'm not in great shape. I run about 5-6mph right now, I guess it's more jogging. I'm thinking of registering for my first one at the end of September. Then I'd have something to work towards.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    I've seen the Couch to 5k program tossed around the site a number of times, that program is listed at 9 weeks (http://www.c25k.com/).
  • Cinnamonie
    Cinnamonie Posts: 138
    I don't think I am in terrible shape...but I'm not in great shape. I run about 5-6mph right now, I guess it's more jogging. I'm thinking of registering for my first one at the end of September. Then I'd have something to work towards.

    Sounds like a good goal. Definitely go for it! Besides there are plenty of people who walk them so if you need to do some power walks to catch your breath on race day, no one will look at you sideways. Good luck!
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