Questions For Runners

NavyKnightAh13

I am running my 4th 5k on Saturday, and I am hoping that i will finish before 39:55 (which is my best time for a 5k). My question is to the runners out there, when did you finally place at a race? Also, after my 5k on the 30th (I have one Saturday, and then one next Sunday) I am thinking about possibly training for a 10k or even a half marathon next year, and would like advice on training programs.

I'm 5'2" 183lbs.

_JR_

"Place", as in "medal"?

That answer is going to vary tremendously. Size of race, size of your age bracket, who showed up that day, your level of conditioning, and so on.

Some people will never come close to a podium spot, and some people will routinely hit it. I've been racing since I was a kid, and only occasionally get a age group medal in a smaller race. It's not my goal. I just love the various courses, and the buzzing atmosphere. :-)

heathermora11

I have been running for a few years and the closest I have come to placing was to get 3rd in my age group in a local 5K, after about a year of running. It wasn't even a PR, just a really small race, hehe. I hope to place in my age group again someday, but I wouldn't stress about it too much if I were you - you are doing great just getting yourself out there! Keep it up!

NavyKnightAh13

Thanks!!!!!!! Around the age bracket is either 19-24 or 20-24 for female, and it varies, I think the biggest one I competed in had a little over 200 people with 10 in my bracket, the smallest one had 5 in my bracket). For me, I get compliments about how so many months postpartum I am and I am out running 5ks. At my last one, people were constantly coming up to me saying they couldn't believe I was 6 months pp and running (one of the compliments came from a lady that had two 2 year old twins). I am 7 months pp, almost 8, and thank you for the compliment!!!!!!!!!!! :bigsmile:

amybg1

I wouldn't worry about placing, you don't always get a medal for that...I placed 1st in my category (only 2 of us in said category) August 4th, everyone got a Finisher's medal anyway. For me running is...Freedom, don't have to worry about where I'm going and if/when I'll hit something, just let my guide do most of the mental work and it allows me to just enjoy myself for however long it takes.

If you want to be more competitive...Be competitive with yourself, but not by too much - even aiming for a few seconds faster than your last race is good enough really.

In terms of training for a 10K, do some speedwork, definitely do hills but don't overdo it/do too much too soon, increase distance by no more than 10%/week (about 500m) run about 3 days per week, make sure you get a rest day in and don't do too much too soon to help prevent injuries/inconveniences such as shin splints. Don't rely too much on the treadmill, if you do use the treadmill make sure it's at minimum a .5% incline to mimmick road conditions, otherwise run rain or shine minus maybe a thunderstorm

NavyKnightAh13

Yeah I have ran on a treadmill twice the entire time I have been running. I have been running on the road because I heard that it is a better way to train. and I hadn't thought of it that way.

Running for me gives me a sense of accomplishment, because its something i could never do really well in high school (I couldn't even run two laps around the track without wanting to pass out because of my asthma. I did track and field for two years, but i was a thrower), as well as just letting everything go, and knowing that my mom is with me in spirit, and that she would be proud of me for doing something good for my health.

The one medical injury though that i have to watch out for is my ankle (though I also have bad knees, but they don't give me too much trouble) because of reoccurring ankle sprains that have been happening since I was in high school (went for pt twice, they said there wasn't anything to do about it) but i usually back off when it acts up for a day or two. I have also had shin splints (marching band in college) and they hurt, and luckily so far i haven't had it happen again.