First 5k!!

Bailey543

Hi everyone,

I am running my first 5k tomorrow morning. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Anyone have any advice? I have no idea what it's going to be like. Do I take anything with me? How early should I eat? Can't wait!!!!

Expialidojess

I try to eat around 3 hours beforehand, but that's a personal preference. Make sure you have comfortable shoes and clothes, get everything ready the night before, if it's going to be hot maybe bring a towel to dry yourself off with after, check in with plenty of time, if a post race snack and water aren't being provided make sure to bring some. And most importantly, have fun!!!!!

Bailey543

Thanks!

Ridumcowgirl

Wohooo! Good luck you will LOVE it! SUCH a rush ( especially crossing the finish line!) Gave me chills! They are addictive!

kikokateyy

I have my first one tomorrow as well! Good Luck!

rprussell2004

AWESOME!!!

Can we assume you've actually RUN 5k before, like while you were training?

I just did my first "official" one last weekend and it rocked (current profile pic). It's a real trip being surrounded by dozens of other folks doing the same thing, and I think I set a personal time record.

Two thoughts that I can come up with, offhand, as a first-timer...

1. The start is a bunch of jostling while everyone unpacks from the starting line and gets to their own pace. Just roll with it.
2. People will pass you, and you will pass other people. This isn't about anyone but YOU, though, so don't let either thing affect you

If you have someone to hold your stuff - cell phone, wallet, whatever - have them do it. If you run better with a music player, bring it... I dunno. I treated it like one of my own normal runs and all went well. Having random people cheering me on at points on the route was a lot of fun though!

Have a blast, and good luck!!

R

Sox90716

Hi everyone,

I am running my first 5k tomorrow morning. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Anyone have any advice? I have no idea what it's going to be like. Do I take anything with me? How early should I eat? Can't wait!!!!

Don't forget your bib/chip, get a good night's rest, hydrate, eat what you would regularly, get to the venue early to stretch and visit, take your music player if allowed, start off slowly, your first inclination will be to take off, save some for your final push and have fun! Good luck! You will do great!

StrengthIDidntKnow

Good luck!

It is hard to describe how I felt when I crossed the finish line for the first time, it was very emotional.

Bailey543

Ummm....what's a bib/chip????

Hi everyone,

I am running my first 5k tomorrow morning. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Anyone have any advice? I have no idea what it's going to be like. Do I take anything with me? How early should I eat? Can't wait!!!!

Don't forget your bib/chip, get a good night's rest, hydrate, eat what you would regularly, get to the venue early to stretch and visit, take your music player if allowed, start off slowly, your first inclination will be to take off, save some for your final push and have fun! Good luck! You will do great!

Dgross1

I don't take anything with me - I leave my cell phone, ID and water in the car. I eat something small at home or on the way there - like a banana or a protein bar. Most races offer fruit, granola bars, water, etc at the finish line. Don't forget your ipod!

Get there early enough to stretch and use the restroom one final time before you start. The lines to the porta potties are usually pretty long, so allow enough time for that.

Start towards the back of the group and try to keep your own pace. I found that when I started towards the front I initially kept pace with the faster runners, but I was not able to keep that pace and tired out sooner, forcing me to walk.

I think once you get to the race, your nerves will be overcome by excitement and you'll just go with the flow! You'll get caught up in the fun of the event and you'll forget about being nervous!

runrogerrun

First of all congrats on running your first 5K. My first 5k was a whole lot faster than my training time. I also do a slow jog prior to the race. Usually 1 mile or so just to loosen up.

Dean513

Start off slow until you can get into your pace, keep hydrated, and have fun. Good luck.

Dgross1

The "bib" is your race number that you pin to your shirt. Some bibs have the chip built into them, other chips are separate and attach to your shoe. This is how they identify you and record your time.

Ummm....what's a bib/chip????

Hi everyone,

I am running my first 5k tomorrow morning. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Anyone have any advice? I have no idea what it's going to be like. Do I take anything with me? How early should I eat? Can't wait!!!!

Don't forget your bib/chip, get a good night's rest, hydrate, eat what you would regularly, get to the venue early to stretch and visit, take your music player if allowed, start off slowly, your first inclination will be to take off, save some for your final push and have fun! Good luck! You will do great!

KimH313

GOOD LUCK! i RAN MY FIRST official one May 27th and my second just this past sunday. TWO THINGS i would suggest, dont try to keep up with everyone. there are going to be a lot of people faster than you, but there will also be a lot of people slower. Both races I finished my first mile in about a minute less than I was running while training and I had to stop and walk both times about half way through. I felt as though I had to keep up though and I should have just gone at my usual pace. Its hard to pace yourself with so many people around but try you're best! Also!!! My biggest mistake this past one was somehow I drained my ipod shuffle before the race and I ended up with a dead battery about 4 minutes in. And i NEVER ran without music. it was weird to get used to. If you need to stop and walk, do it. Once you catch your breath you will get back at it. I ran my first in 32:09 and my second in 30:55 and I had to stop and walk a little in both, but I did it and you will feel awesome when you're done!! Good luck and enjoy! Oh and hydrate too

MtnKat

Lay everything out the night before so you are not rushing trying to find everything just before you leave.

Get a good nights sleep.

Race your own race.

Good luck on your first race!!!

BrianSharpe

If you can, pick up your race kit today and get all your gear ready (less likely to forget anything). Stay well hydrated today, eat normally (nothing new to upset your stomach & no need to carb load) and get a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow, try to eat 2 or 3 hours ahead of race time (toast or a bagel with peanut butter comes to mind - nothing too heavy) and get to the race venue early. Depending on how big the event is they may have corrals set up for estimated finishing times, go to the appropriate corral for your start.

Most importantly, watch your pace. It's really easy to get caught up in the excitement and come out too fast. 5Ks tend to be pretty fast paced races, if you try to keep up with the elites you'll blow your brains out (learn from my fail).

Most importantly, remember to smile as you cross the finish line. Have fun!

dare2love81

I'm running my first timed 5k tomorrow and am so nervous and excited! I've done other fun runs, but this is my first timed one where a minimum pace is required...eeeks!

I too have been told not to take off from the start line, even though that's what it feels like you should do, because if you do that, you'll tire out faster. Just start out at your normal pace and pay no attention to who's around you, who's passing you or any of that. This race is for you and you only.

Woot! HIt it! :drinker:

Bailey543

Wow, thanks everyone! I can't wait! Lots of good advice to gy by:happy:

rprussell2004

I too have been told not to take off from the start line, even though that's what it feels like you should do, because if you do that, you'll tire out faster.

Yeah - what this says.

That chip that another poster mentioned will take care of your time, it will start counting whenever you actually pass the starting line, and stop whenever you actually cross the finish, so starting way back in the pack won't affect your time. (I wondered about this on Sunday, but it all worked out fine.)

slm0257

My first one is tomorrow also! The Color Run in Tulsa. Soooo excited. A lot of great suggestions on here. Good luck to everyone else running tomorrow!

AmyRhubarb

I ran my first 5k race on Memorial Day Weekend! I was a little nervous, mostly about what to expect, and this topic helped me a ton: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race?hl=first+race

Lots of good info and he covers everything from a 5k to a full marathon.

For my first race, I took it easy the day before race day, light exercise and no strenuous leg stuff. I ate well and made sure I drank plenty of water all day. I had my stuff all laid out for the morning, alarm set, breakfast/snack planned out. My start time wasn't until 8:30, so I ate something I often eat before I run (oatmeal with yogurt, fruit & walnuts) at 6:30 and I was fine.

Most of all have fun! It's such a rush being out there with all the other racers!

Bailey543

thanks! That was packed with wonderful info!

I ran my first 5k race on Memorial Day Weekend! I was a little nervous, mostly about what to expect, and this topic helped me a ton: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race?hl=first+race

madmickie

Relax - it;s 5k not a marathon - you dont need anything special - just dont eat too much too near to your run. I do a 5k race most sat mornings and have a normal breakfast and normal amounts of fluid.

Important to warm up well for maybe 15mins. My strategy is to go out hard for the first 2k (on the basis that you dont have the distance to make up time lost early on like you might have in a longer race). Ease back for the 3rd to a bit over your average k pace, try to up it a little through the 4th k then throw it all in the fire for the last k. You should be working real hard the whole way - at least 90% Max HR rising to your max over the last few hundred m and it should feel VERY uncomfortable.

I am no expert but what i do know is that 5km races are about knowing how much discomfort you can tolerate. good to remember everyone is suffering equally regardless of their finishing time. Go for it,

sarahh87

Don't change anything about your routine - treat it as a regular run and try to enjoy the experience (& rush of adrenaline!). You'll be setting the bar for yourself on your first 5k. Remember to run your own race at your own pace and don't get discouraged. At my first race, I started towards the back of the pack. There is nothing worse than starting up front near the line and having everyone fly by you!

Have fun & good luck!!

sjohnny

... You should be working real hard the whole way - at least 90% Max HR rising to your max over the last few hundred m and it should feel VERY uncomfortable.

I am no expert but what i do know is that 5km races are about knowing how much discomfort you can tolerate. good to remember everyone is suffering equally regardless of their finishing time. Go for it,

I wouldn't recommend this for one's first race. Your first is always a PR. There will be plenty of time to work on improving performance in later races.

Go have fun. Don't overthink it or overstrategize it. Learn how the process works and enjoy the run. It's a very different vibe from running on a trail/street by yourself. Not saying you shouldn't do your best and push yourself but you don't need to try to kill yourself in your first race.

dare2love81

... You should be working real hard the whole way - at least 90% Max HR rising to your max over the last few hundred m and it should feel VERY uncomfortable.

I am no expert but what i do know is that 5km races are about knowing how much discomfort you can tolerate. good to remember everyone is suffering equally regardless of their finishing time. Go for it,

I wouldn't recommend this for one's first race. Your first is always a PR. There will be plenty of time to work on improving performance in later races.

Go have fun. Don't overthink it or overstrategize it. Learn how the process works and enjoy the run. It's a very different vibe from running on a trail/street by yourself. Not saying you shouldn't do your best and push yourself but you don't need to try to kill yourself in your first race.

Yes, what sjohnny said. The first race is all about feeling out how things work and to not stress over your time or your pace or any of that. Plus, if you push yourself too hard, it'll discourage you from doing races in the future. The first few races should be about getting the feel of it and learning your limits, oh and not to mention, enjoy the venue and the adrenaline rush that comes from running with other people.

rprussell2004

Well?

How'd you do?