45 minute 5k

vitahill

I have been "jogging" 3.1 miles on the treadmill about 3 times a week for a few weeks now. It usually takes me 45 minutes to complete (I count my warm up/cool down). I will be "running" a 5k in October and I'm worried I will still be at 45 minutes. I know that it's better to take a long time than to not do it at all, but I don't want them to be packing up while I'm still finishing the race. Is that irrational or should I wait until I have a better time to sign up?
Thanks!

AmyRhubarb

I say sign up! Your time will improve, and even if you're still at 45 minutes - no shame, and I doubt you'll be last, and they certainly won't be packing things up!

The only recommendation I have for ya is try and do some running outside between now and then - everyone says there's a big difference between running on a treadmill and running outside (I've never been on a treadmill, so can't tell ya ), but you don't want your first outside running experience to be on race day.

I've found that registering for a race is great motivation to keep me running and pushing to improve all aspects of my running. Go for it!

0somuchbetter0

Running on the treadmill is definitely easier than running outside. Increase your incline just a little bit to make it more challenging. And do take the advice of the previous poster -- get into the habit of running outside well before race day! I ran my first 5K in just under 43 minutes. I wasn't last!

dianacannon89

There will be plently of people that finish after you. They will not be packing up or laughing waiting for you even. People at races are very supportitive wither you are the first but especially if you are the last! I felt the same way before my first race which was a huge one (iron girl) I finished in 45 mins and there were thousands behind me my second race i finished at 45 and even though it was only a race of 200 people there were still about 20 people behind me so have no worries ok just have fun!

WILSONBA

yes, my advice is the same as the above posters!

jcmartin0313

Dude it took me 49 mins to run my first 5k so sign up!!!

Jessicaruby

i just ran my first 5k (the warrior dash) yesterday. i ran it in 37min 56sec. i had never ran outstide before race day which i probably wouldnt recommened. it is quite a bit different so i would practice running outside but i would definetly sign up now. because it is a race and everyone is "competiing" it makes you keep going and push yourself. good luck

911Megz

Most 5k's are a walk / run option . So they won't be packing up if you finish in 45 mins. my first 5k was 42 mins. And october is still a ways a way! Start speed training once a week.
Do some HIIT training on the treadmill.
http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadmillhiit.htm

Hope this helps!

maggiepz

Well I walked my first 5K today and it took 51 minutes which is 3.66mph. I usually do 3.5mph on the treadmill but really pushed it to walk as fast as possible. I started out a few months ago doing just 2.5mph.

I agree that's it's best to try train a bit outside before race day. Today was rough since I wasn't used to anything but leisurely walking outside especially since it was hot and the terrain changed and the footing wasn't always smooth. A lot different than the treadmill, elliptical and recumbent.

I would definitely do it. i don't really think the time matters at all. What counts is that you challenged yourself to do it. You'll set your next goal to better your time.

cwilli36

Sign up and you will have that as something to look forward to. You won't regret it, as everyone said, everyone is supportive. I did my first one in 38 min, had never even ran a mile at one time, lol. I have another o e I'm signing up for in August. I hope to improve my time, but if I dont? Who cares? I'm doing this for me :-D

ALW65

My advice is to come here next Saturday and run the 5K I've just signed up for - that way you're certain to not finish dead last.

I've done C25K but then slacked off. At my peak I ran 2.1 miles once, and that took me 40 minutes. I'm sure I'll end up walking more of it then running.......BUT......I will be trying and I will be able to say I completed a 5K race. That in itself is a huge accomplishment for anyone in my mind.

I live in a suburban neighborhood and two local 5K races pass by my house each year. I work at home and it's so fun to sit at my desk and watch the first group go by - running about a million miles an hour. Then another group comes through running what looks to be an average pace. The third group is all people slugging along slow enough that some people would likely walk faster than their running. Fourth group is the folks who have to walk for intervals. Finally, there are people just out their having a good old time chatting with their friends and barely trying to walk quickly.

Given all of that, I'm sure I can at least be a person at the race having a good time! Keep on running until October, and you'll likely be faster. More importantly, you'll have become healthier, succeeded in running a 5K, and will likely feel like a million bucks! See you at the finish line <in a another 15 minutes or so> :bigsmile:

Seraph1120

Don't stress yourself out over it. I say definitely sign up for it! I was freaking out up to my first 5k last November. Partly because I thought I'd have a really bad run time and second because I was freaking out about how to dress. lol. Leading up to the race, I was jogging on a treadmill at least 3 times a week for 45 minutes and wasn't even reaching the 3.1 miles. But, surprisingly, I actually finished the race at 43:07! It's so much better running when you have people around you. I was using everyone as my measuring tools. Like picking out someone that's 5 people ahead of me and trying to keep up with or even bypass them. Just seeing all those people keep on with their running/jogging at every shape and size really motivated me to keep my feet moving. At one point, I couldn't even stop my legs to walk. I may not have been the fastest in the race, but I was certainly proud of myself for pushing through it! May you have a wonderful race!! =D

vitahill

Thanks everyone! I know it's irrational, I just have these flashbacks of gym class and always coming in last. Once it cools down a little (and I'm less anxious about jogging in front of others) I'll bring it outside to get ready. I'll try upping the incline a little on the treadmill in the meantime. Looking forward to my second 5k

Taratruex

I just completed my first 5K yesterday ( Saturday) and i finished in 41 minutes. There were people who finished in over 1 hour. Sign up you will have a blast!

Di3012

I have been "jogging" 3.1 miles on the treadmill about 3 times a week for a few weeks now. It usually takes me 45 minutes to complete (I count my warm up/cool down). I will be "running" a 5k in October and I'm worried I will still be at 45 minutes. I know that it's better to take a long time than to not do it at all, but I don't want them to be packing up while I'm still finishing the race. Is that irrational or should I wait until I have a better time to sign up?
Thanks!

You will do it faster than 45 minutes because in your training you say you count your warm up/warm down - well within the race you won't be warming up and warming down - that will be done before/afterwards, therefore you will be jogging the whole lot and so will have a faster time.

Regarding them packing up whilst you are finishing, that is highly unlikely to happen because they would wait until the final person crosses the line before doing such a thing plus there are more people that complete their 5k races in similar time such as yourself than you realize.

Have a great race and enjoy it, do NOT wait until you have a "better time" - there is no better time than now :oD

MellowGa

I did my First 5K on July 4th I did it in 36 min. so now I have a goal to beat, my next one is July 28th.

Go for it dude, what ever your time is, use it as a bench mark to improve the next one, remember don't expect to be a super star, just go at what pace is good for you, I even stopped and walked for a bit to get my breath, just do your best and look to improve each race.

thebigcb

You can train yourself to run faster by running DOWNHILL not up hill. A lot of people think that because its harder it will make you faster, its not the case


Mix your training up a little bit.
Go outside for a start. The ground outside doesn;t move under your feet. Doing 5k outside and 5k are a threadmill are totally different, WIND< RAIN, uneven surfaces

To increase your running times, run downhill at angles of roughly 15degrees and try lenghtening your stride as you do it.

Also do some interval running. So run 200 metres as fast as you can, then slow right down for a minute, then run 200metres as fast as you can, slow down for a minute, do that about 8 times, once a week. Have warmed up first.

But never mind worrying, sure the atmosphere is amazing at these things, you will LOVE IT

danblood

At events like this you go to the start line and there are usually people holding signs up for certain expected finish times; you need to stand by the sign that reflects what you manage in practice.. You'll then end up running with people of a similar ability, but you'll probably find yourself running faster than usual because you've got them to pace yourself against, and it's a great feeling to run with hundreds of people.

Make realistic targets - you'll feel far better crossing the finish line having run the entire distance, than if you try to push your pace and have to walk some of it.. I made this mistake with my first 10K

jenilla1

Do it! You won't be the last by a long shot. Plus, I always run a little faster on race day than I do in training. Maybe you will, too! Don't wait to do that 5k. You are ready now. This time, focus on finishing. Next time, work on racing against your previous time. :flowerforyou:

paulwgun

I have been "jogging" 3.1 miles on the treadmill about 3 times a week for a few weeks now. It usually takes me 45 minutes to complete (I count my warm up/cool down). I will be "running" a 5k in October and I'm worried I will still be at 45 minutes. I know that it's better to take a long time than to not do it at all, but I don't want them to be packing up while I'm still finishing the race. Is that irrational or should I wait until I have a better time to sign up?
Thanks!

sign up sign up sign up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my first took me 48 min, my best so far is 39 min extend your distance gradually say up to about 8k and the week before the race do a 8k and then a short easy run midweek and then rest
I can promise you the euphoria that you feel at the end of the race will be amazing

The time will get better as you go along


Happy running

HelenDootson

Do it, sign up - You will find running with others will speed you up without you realising it and running outside and with real people is soooooo much nicer than the treadmill

lil_pixie

Sign up for it. I was in the same boat last year when I did my first 5k. I was averaging about 40 minutes for a 5k and was worried about being one of the last, but on the day with the crowd and my husband cheering me on I did it in 33 minutes! I'd picked someone in front of me who I thought was about my speed and decided to stick with them. Turned out they were faster than me, but I kept her in sight and finished quicker than I ever thought I would. The feeling was amazing! I was absolutely shattered, but when I next went for a run, just knowing that I could do it and that I wasn't awful at running really inspired me.

I say give it a go, and you'd be surprised. But definitely have a few practices running outside first as it is a totally different experience. I much prefer it and don't really use a treadmill anymore. Find a nice route which will inspired you. I live near a reservoir and thinking about running round that in the sun with the lovely views actually makes me want to get out there and run. something than thinking of going to the gym and pounding on a treadmill never did.

Di3012

You can train yourself to run faster by running DOWNHILL not up hill. A lot of people think that because its harder it will make you faster, its not the case


Mix your training up a little bit.
Go outside for a start. The ground outside doesn;t move under your feet. Doing 5k outside and 5k are a threadmill are totally different, WIND< RAIN, uneven surfaces

To increase your running times, run downhill at angles of roughly 15degrees and try lenghtening your stride as you do it.

Also do some interval running. So run 200 metres as fast as you can, then slow right down for a minute, then run 200metres as fast as you can, slow down for a minute, do that about 8 times, once a week. Have warmed up first.

But never mind worrying, sure the atmosphere is amazing at these things, you will LOVE IT

Running downhill for extended periods of time will do your quads in. Lengthening your stride on hard ground in order to run harder and faster is a recipe for shinsplints.

OP be really, really careful.

thebigcb

I agree, I should of said run downhill for short distances, like 100/200 metres

CookieGem

First 5k i even ran i did it in 28 mins. 3 months before i had never run a mile. The way I did it every time i went to the gym i increased my speed on the tredmill by 0.1 so it wasn't a drastic change. I also ran on a slight incline. But i agree with everyone else you need to run outside as its very different.

Good luck )

Smuterella

Do it! i just did my first and it was amazing. :-)

JoanneStone

I ran my first 5K back in June, in 33:22. I took 5-7 mins off my best time on my own.There something about being in a race makes you try harder and the adrenaline pushes you a little bit harder. The first words out of my mouth when I finished were "I AM definitely doing that again"
My time on my own has improved a lot since that day and I run my next race Aug. 4
You will be fine!

ALW65

Update: I did my first 5K Saturday hoping to finish by 45 minutes. I was so happy when I made it in 39 1/2 minutes! I picked up a bunch of flyers for upcoming races and will be doing my next one in two weeks. Yup - I've got the 5K bug!

Sign up and have a blast!!!!!

Di3012

Update: I did my first 5K Saturday hoping to finish by 45 minutes. I was so happy when I made it in 39 1/2 minutes! I picked up a bunch of flyers for upcoming races and will be doing my next one in two weeks. Yup - I've got the 5K bug!

Sign up and have a blast!!!!!

WTG!!!

Thomasm198

Just sign up and do it.

October is plenty far away. Get out and do some running outdoors. There's a huge difference between a threadmill and running outside.

surfrgrl1

My best time so far is in 45 minutes, that is with mainly walking and a little jogging here and there. I have done seven 5Ks in the past year, and I try to do better each time if I can. But if I don't, I don't consider it the end of the world.

The first one I walked with a friend, and it took us almost an hour. I was proud first of all that I did it, and secondly that I wasn't last.

For me personally, i think it's about the registering, looking forward to it, getting your tshirt, the actual event, and that feeling of euphoria that lasts most of the day after you cross the finish line that all count.

Enjoy yourself out there!