Running a 5K--am I stupid?

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Replies

  • AzhureSnow
    AzhureSnow Posts: 289 Member
    Absolutely not stupid! I am addicted to running, and my first race was a 5K just a few weeks after I'd started seriously running. I finished in under 39:00 and was so incredibly high from the amount of excitement, pride, adrenaline... it was amazing. I do around 1 race a month, sometimes more, hoping to move into 10Ks this fall/winter, and maybe a half marathon next year :) I think it's awesome that you signed up! Don't be afraid to go slow and steady when you need to - there is no rule that says you have to run the entire thing (or any of it, actually, a lot of people walk the majority of a 5K).
  • Dawnhasajeep
    Dawnhasajeep Posts: 180 Member
    JUST GO FOR IT! No one will care if you end up walking part of it. Just do it and finish. That way you will have a time to beet when you do yout 2nd 5K. I walked part of my first 5K. Every race I do that is a new longer distance my goal is to just finish and get a time to beat. Good luck!
  • Dawnhasajeep
    Dawnhasajeep Posts: 180 Member
    They don't shoot the walkers.

    LOL I love this and its true.

    No one ever shot me for walking in a race.
  • Cruxthemystic
    Cruxthemystic Posts: 149 Member
    I hope your not stupid cause I signed up to do one in Nov. I'm far from being a runner but I'm working on it. Figured it would give me some inspiration to get off my butt and get to moving. Right now I can run about 40secs but that's better then when I started a couple of weeks ago.
  • EricNCSU
    EricNCSU Posts: 699 Member
    Heck no it's not a bad idea!

    Even at a moderately brisk walking pace (3 mph) you can finish in an hour. You won't be out there in the dark listening to crickets. You will do just fine! LOL
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I don't know. It might be foolish. A 5k is like a gateway drug to actually enjoying running, and ending up with a huge collection of race tees and bibs stuck on your refrigerator. :wink:

    Don't feel bad if you have to walk some. I've been running for over a year and a half, consider myself pretty good, even won some medals, and I still feel the need to walk every so often. And usually, I give in to that urge, because I figure I'm never going to be an Olympian... if I can enjoy running with some walk breaks, vs feeling miserable without them, then I don't care if my average pace is 10-30 seconds slower per mile.
  • DaveC29
    DaveC29 Posts: 232 Member
    Not stupid at all... you have done that hardest part of it- having the courage to sign up! To put your name out that and make that bold statement- I am going to do this!

    You go and kick some *kitten*! Do get back on that training and you will do absolutely fantastic!

    I'll run one mile for you too!
  • DarinGettingFitNow
    DarinGettingFitNow Posts: 424 Member
    GO FOR IT.

    Last year, I signed up, on a whim, for a charity one? I had never really run - kind of jogged, sporadically. So I downloaded Couch to 5K and did the 8 weeks leading up?

    It's gentle, and it's confidence building. I found that running in the mornings became "me" time.

    I was able to jog the entire distance. It was the best thing I've ever done.

    It takes work, but it's so worth it. You can do it!!!!
  • yallcallmedeb
    yallcallmedeb Posts: 294
    Not stupid at all! And you are not going to finish after dark!!! Can you walk 3 miles? How long does it take you to walk 3 miles? That will be your worst case time. At some point (or even every training day), when you finish your C25K workout, continue walking until you have reached 3.1 miles (or 5K). Keep track of your times. You will see massive improvement. You are out there to compete against only 1 person....and that is YOU. Be happy no matter what happens. It is all good! And it is all WAY better than what you would have been doing a few months/a year (?) ago, isn't it? And you have WAY won against all those people laying on their couches or those standing on the sidelines! You can do it!

    Now.....I just reached the point of running 3 miles and I'm about to start training for a 13K for October! Now that very well may be stupid! LOL
  • reggie2run
    reggie2run Posts: 477 Member
    You got this. You can do this. Just keep training and you'll cross that finish line. It doesn't matter if you're first or last, just crossing that finish line is the main goal Its an awesome feeling. One you will never forget. Just do it and enjoy the experience. You won't regret it.
  • Angie_1991
    Angie_1991 Posts: 447 Member
    You are not stupid! You can do it! Most 5ks are walk/run anyway...currently, that's how I have to do them...YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!
  • madmickie
    madmickie Posts: 221 Member
    Entering an event will help you get out and do the training - that's a good thing

    Getting anxious about whether you will complete it and then overtraining and increasing risk of injury - that's a bad thing.

    Keep the balance and you'll be fine.
  • MandaKayMakesIt
    MandaKayMakesIt Posts: 81
    Nope - not stupid. In fact the opposite. This will be a new beginning for you. Next year you'll be looking at 10k's. :drinker:

    Love this!

    Thank you, guys! I'm going to keep training and just go out there and do it--everyone else be damned! :)
  • CynGoddess
    CynGoddess Posts: 188 Member
    Go for it. I am signed up for my first and currently doing C25k.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Sounds like a great idea to me!

    Setting a scary goal and training to accomplish is a great idea!

    Once you finish the 5k, sign up for a 10k and keep right on training!
  • Muddy_Yogi
    Muddy_Yogi Posts: 1,459 Member
    IMHO.....RUN IT! Do it the best you can this time around. It will give you a starting point, then run another one a little later.....breaking Personal Records is an amazing motivator! Just have fun with it.
  • leafstucker16
    leafstucker16 Posts: 136 Member
    Not at all! I also just signed up for my first 5k on September 30th, I am doing c25k as well and am a bit nervous as I still have a lot of my weight to lose. But there is still weeks between now and then, just keep training and you will do great!
  • yroma
    yroma Posts: 74 Member
    Nooook, you're smart! It's a great goal, you can do it. Even if you walk the whole way, you'll feel terrific. There's something so satisfying, inspiring and exciting about an organzied race--think you'll become addicted and immediately look for another to sign up for! My guess is that you'll run most of the way if not all the way. Remember, running is 80% mental--start believing you can do it...! Good luck and tell us how you do!
  • MsNewBooty83
    MsNewBooty83 Posts: 985 Member
    u dont have to run the whole time, its easy to get caught up and worn out fast i think with everyone around you, just go at a pace that u know is manageable. 5k isnt really that far, no ones gonna shame u for taking a break if u need to, im sure there will be ppl that are just walking the entire time. dont stress. id go out on ur own ahead of time and give it a go... see where ur at ability wise, maybe if u have a better idea of where ur at, u will know how to handle it better when the time comes. good luck! :D
  • kototo
    kototo Posts: 49 Member
    I am totally proud of you!!! Remember to post back after the marathon to tell us how you did and felt!!!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Its never a mistake to get active and commit yourself to a goal. Regardless of size, if you can complete the C25k workout, you can complete a 5k. I stretched the c25k program out a bit, but I eventually completed and can now run for an hour without stopping (although I am pretty slow). I was amazed the first time I ran 5k and I've surpassed that distance several times now. You should do it! If you train consistently, you'll be most of the way through the program when your race comes. Just enjoy the race and focus on completing it. Choose a sustainable pace and listen to your body - walk for 30 seconds here and there if necessary.
  • nuffexercise2012
    nuffexercise2012 Posts: 140
    Let go of the negatives,YOU CAN DO THIS:bigsmile: . I've done a 5krun/walk it was awesome, go at the pace that's comfortable for you. Run when you can walk to recover, or just power walk it all the way, just have fun:drinker:

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