5k Walk....dumb questions

Suziq2you

I will be walking in my first 5k this Saturday. What should I expect? What should I wear? Never ever done anything like this before.
Do I workout the day before? Ugh. I feel like such a newbie! LOL.

TDGee

Shoes. You will want to wear shoes. Whatever else you want to wear is entirely up to you. Good luck and have fun!!
Also, Left foot, right foot. Repeat.

fromaquasar

Wear something you've worn walking before and are comfortable in. For me I generally rest the day before an event, or go for a short walk and stretch.

Eat a normal breakfast and again one you've eaten previously before walking so you know your tummy will be happy. And go to the bathroom!

You should expect to have lots of fun and chat to lots of friendly people

sarah44254

Do you walk at all now? is 3 miles something that feels very long to you?

if 3 miles sounds like a large amount of walking, then go ahead and take Friday as a rest day, or just walk a mile that day, something light.

if 3 miles is something you are used to, you can do your usual workout on Friday.

You can wear anything weather appropriate. For a walk, I usually get a little warm so a light jacket works for me even in very cool weather. You know how your body reacts to weather/exertion better than we do choose appropriately.

Expect a lot of clogging at the beginning and it getting more sparse with people as you move along the 5K. everyone starts in the same place and walks at different paces. If you know you walk fast, try to get to the front of the starting line so you don't have to be stuck behind 12 women with strollers walking at 0.5 mph

everyone is a newbie at some point, best part is - make sure you have fun and ENJOY your 5k!!

JaredBergeron

Sarah has some good tips there, Dress in layers, easier to take stuff off than try to warm up with a jacket you dont have Compression shorts can help with friction concerns. If you get blisters on your feet, check out the injini toe socks... love those things...!

beautifulnovember

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Depends on the time of day. You may want to layer if your area is hot/cold. As you walk, depending on your speed, you may start taking off the layer. So I usually wear a long sleeve and a short sleeve outside. Usually, the check in time is about an hour before and then they may have vendors with free food (coffee/water/bananas) but each one is different, so eat something healthy and lite before the race. Enjoy!

Skirtrunner26point2

I made the mistake of doing a 1/2 marathon on my first time out..i finished but should have done a 5k like you. Drink plenty of water the day before, a sensible breakfast 3-4 hrs before the run. Wear clothes and shoes youve worn before and go to the restroom before you start!! I made the second mistake of taking my shoes off in the car on way home and could barely walk, so dont take off your shoes until you get home. After the half, 5ks will be a breeze...use them to get prepared for a half...good luck! You will do great!!

Suziq2you

Thanks everyone!!

Rachiepie6

I did a 12km walk a while back and aside from shin splints, my main problems were chaffing and blisters.
Do you deal with these problems already? If so, than you know what to do about them.
If not, research how to prevent them, or feel free to message me (I prob won't check the forum again sorry)

But skins, tights, bike shorts, compression shorts all help prevent chaffing, but don't forget that where your arms swing my chafe as well. - they are more of a concern when choosing clothing than the weather for me personally

blisters - good socks and good shoes are the best way to prevent, but sometimes I find that I need to tape areas on my feet to prevent new blisters or protect existing blisters

angee1126

This was a great question (post) I'm going to be doing my first 5k as well (i'll be walking because i'm not ready for running yet) but all the info helped me as well!!! ((and the guys post were too funny! :laugh: ))

cofakid

This was a great question (post) I'm going to be doing my first 5k as well (i'll be walking because i'm not ready for running yet) but all the info helped me as well!!! ((and the guys post were too funny! :laugh: ))

same here i just signed up for a 5km fun run, i'll be walking but lots of this information is usefull for me

arewethereyet

This may seem silly, but it was a huge issue for me.

Watch your sodium for a few days before the walk. While you are walking.Take off your rings before you leave. While you are walking, LIFT your hands above your head at different intervals. My hands looked like the 'manhand' girl on Seinfeld after the walk and didnt go down for days! They almost had to cut my wedding ring off.

Have FUN!!! So proud of you!

Rachiepie6

Oh yeah! I remember that feeling! Another thing that helps is to keep your fingers and hands moving, like flex and stretch them to keep the blood pumping.

sarah44254

This may seem silly, but it was a huge issue for me.

Watch your sodium for a few days before the walk. While you are walking.Take off your rings before you leave. While you are walking, LIFT your hands above your head at different intervals. My hands looked like the 'manhand' girl on Seinfeld after the walk and didnt go down for days! They almost had to cut my wedding ring off.

Have FUN!!! So proud of you!

this still happens to me!