How to train for a 5k/marathon? Doing the COLOR RUN!

kayvanne

I did something responsible and for Christmas, I asked my mom to buy me admission to the Color Run. Thus, it will force me to train to do it xD

It's a 5k, and it's in January here in Arizona.
Has anyone ever trained for a 5k/marathon and have any tips to offer??

mandy_lee86

Download Couch25k on your smartphone.

AZKristi

I haven't raced yet but I did Couch to 5k and now do 3-4 mile runs on a regular basis. I am going to start incorporating more speed play and tempo runs into my routine to build speed next.

pastryari

Download Couch25k on your smartphone.

This.

Btw, I did the Color Run. It's SO easy and light as far as seriousness goes. Don't stress on doing amazing. There were all kinds of people there. Out of shape, in shape, people pushing strollers, toddlers, etc. Just remember to have fun because it's a blast!

ambate2

yup, couch to 5k is totally the way to go! have a blast at the color run!!!

campi_mama

Couch25k is a great app. Just ease into running. Have fun. You have plenty of time to get ready.

P.S. A marathon is 26.2 miles. A 5k run is 3.1 miles. There is a big difference :bigsmile:

chubby_checkers

Don't stress on doing amazing. There were all kinds of people there. Out of shape, in shape, people pushing strollers, toddlers, etc. Just remember to have fun because it's a blast!

Agree. There were very few people that ran the whole 5k. It was very relaxed. Just remember to keep your mouth closed when running through the color stations.

jaimesoo

When i started running in 2009, I used the C25K training. It worked GREAT. And after i did that run, i just did the training again until I was comfortable with a good base. I went on to train for 10k, half marathons and then finally the full marathon last year(2010). For the Half and Full training I used Hal Higdon's training guide and even bought his book for the marathon.

sevsmom

Be prepared, unless you entirely skip the color stations, you will likely spend quite a few (like 10) minutes in line waiting to get pelted with color at some stations. I didn't even keep track of my time when I participated this past summer. It's fun, but it's not like you have to haul @ss to have a good time or feel good about the event. So, if you find yourself feeling under prepared. . don't worry about it! You'll have a good time regardless!!

And, you'll be a complete mess!!

C25K seems to be the preferred method for getting geared up for your first 5k. I personally just went out one day and ran until I couldn't run any further. Then, every time I ran, that was my goal until that was easy and I added more distance. And so on and so on. The walk/run/walk/run intervals of C25k were too cumbersome for me. I'm up to half marathons now and I LOVE running!!!

kayvanne

When i started running in 2009, I used the C25K training. It worked GREAT. And after i did that run, i just did the training again until I was comfortable with a good base. I went on to train for 10k, half marathons and then finally the full marathon last year(2010). For the Half and Full training I used Hal Higdon's training guide and even bought his book for the marathon.

Wow, didn't know you had to wait haha!

Well, I asked about the marathons too because I want to start with the color run and maybe move my way up to running a marathon one day!:)

I would LOVE to be able to run the entire 5k (but with the wait time maybe not haha!)



I tried running a straight mile a week or two ago and got 12:02 for a mile...I haven't run one in a long time xDhaha

mrso97

i volunteered to do a 10k for st patricks day...everyone said to use the couch to 10k i started it yesterday...i can see how it will work...i heard amazing things about couch to 5k and couch to 10k...we will see what happens...you can download them for android as well as the i phone...really easy to use...

yallcallmedeb

I have not done a color run but I think that those are more "take your time and just have fun" type of events than any type of a race. In fact, I think that if you got a good time (I believe that you have to self-time), you'd be missing out on all of the fun that you pay so much for! I agree with the C25K advice and would probably sign up for a local 5K run. I think that you got good advice on progressing. When you finish C25K, take a few weeks with no specific training......just keep running 3 - 3.5 miles or re-do the last few weeks of C25K, looking to improve your time. Then, work on a 10K training program. When you finish your 10K race, stay there for a few weeks or a month before moving on to 10 mile or half marathon training. Do not increase your mileage too quickly or start running too many miles per week too soon. If you start to feel injured, back off of it. I started C25K this past May and am now up to running 8 miles. I hope to do a half marathon next Fall. If I lived in a climate that didn't get snow and ice, I would probably have tried for a half in the Spring but I'm thinking that i will not be able to do any concentrated training over the winter and am, therefore, hoping to maintain or at least maintain 5 mile distance.

MissingMyOldSelf

Don't stress on doing amazing. There were all kinds of people there. Out of shape, in shape, people pushing strollers, toddlers, etc. Just remember to have fun because it's a blast!

Agree. There were very few people that ran the whole 5k. It was very relaxed. Just remember to keep your mouth closed when running through the color stations.

Agreed on both ends!! My husband and I did two weeks of c25k training for the Color Run in Cbus this past July, and because of a prior knee injury that started acting up the week before, we walked it with two other friends. We took about an hour and a half (because we kept stopping and taking pics before the color stations, after the color stations, pics of cars covered in color, etc.... and some people literally STOPPED THE RACE and went shopping or went into Arbys to get a drink in downtown Cbus in the Short North! LOL!!!).... but you know what.... I only heard of one person actually caring about their race time, and that was just a friend of a friend. The four of us that were in our group were just glad to be together on that day and have a great time! And we did!!! It's truly an experience you'll never forget!!!

Miche11e5

You can tell from my profile pic that I did the Color Me Rad run a few weeks ago. As others have said, it is a VERY low key 5K. The MC even said "if you came to get a personal best 5K time, you're in the wrong place!" It's about fun. If you run through the color stations, you'll miss the colors! The Couch-to-5K program suggested is a perfect way to start as a runner. I did it last spring before running in the Race for the Cure.

Good luck!

idarylew

The easy way I have found to complete this to riding a bicycle. This will train your body the proper mechanics of breathing and aerobic conditioniong. You still have to run that's the bad part, but biking will break it up. I have went from NOT ever runing a 5k to running one in about 26 mins. My goal is 15-18 mins next March, I hope that helps you. Any more questions Ill try to help you out.

Keiras_Mom

I just started C25K on Saturday and will be doing a color run (Gnarly Neon) in February. I just printed the C25K training guide for the treadmill and am using my treadmill at home. So far, so good.

codapea

The Color Run is so much fun! I just did that 5K here in Boise last month. Just get outside and start running for as long as far you can and most importantly ignore that voice in your head saying "I don't think I can do this, I can't run for another minute." Each run gets easier, even as your are running. You just have to push through the initial discomfort, and as you get going and find a comfortable pace, you start to feel great.

I started training for my first 5K with that distance, 3.1 miles every run, at first walking the first half to warm up and then running home. I was so sore for the first few weeks! But it is amazing how fast our bodies can adapt to running. I read some good advice when I first started- run as slow as you can. When I would get tired, I would run even slower for a bit until I caught my breath, but I would keep running. And every time you accomplish a new distance, it feels amazing because you have the confidence to KNOW you can run it again, and it makes each run easier. Good luck and have fun at the Color Run- that is a great 5K for your first!