Running in large groups.
BFarnsworth
Posts: 210 Member
Im doing my first 5k tomorrow morning. Id like anyones advice on what to expect when jogging in large groups. I'm a little bit freaked out by the notion.
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Replies
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So very excited for you.
I reckon its a smart move to start near the back so you can set your own pace and not get caught up in the front rush and burn out too fast. Trust in your preparation and your routine and warm up a bit away from the group too. Do your regular stretches (now is not the time to try to copy what others are doing - no matter how fancy their gear or how ripped their abs :laugh: ) and give yourself the time for at least a 5 min walk before even if that is walking in circles close enough to hear any announcements. You don't have to go overboard with food. I was advised to just have my normal toast for breakfast and then a banana about an hour before the race and that worked out well for me.
Let people know it is your first 5k. I was amazed at how supportive the organisers and some of the other runners were for my first attempt.0 -
Thank you very much!! Makes things a bit easier in my mind.0
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My first run (6 weeks into c25k) I was near the front of the crowd at the start. During the first half mile a lot of runners passed me. I chose to run at a comfortable speed for myself so I could finish the race. Another group passed me on the first (and only) hill. Didn't have any issues with running in mobs afterward. Other races that I have entered, I chose to start near the back of the initial pack.
I plotted the curve of race finish times (104 runners) for the last race I participated in. It was a bell curve. Most people were in the 26 - 34 min. finish time. Outside of that range, runners didn't need to worry about running in mobs. There was plenty of space for every runner.0 -
I ran my first 5k this last weekend.
My key lessons
Watch the weather. I usually run in the dark UK evenings, running on a Saturday morning I had way too many layers and nearly melted
Normal breakfast and a drink of water prior to the run was fine for me
Watch the pace at the start. I thought I was running at my usual pace, but soon found out I ran the first half km at 5min per km, faster than my usual 6min30sec per km. This really hurt and I struggled towards the end.
Luckily for me it was a small parkrun event with only 66 runners so soon spread and did not have further issues running in a pack
Enjoy0
