First 5K Fears

amytag
amytag Posts: 206 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm in week 7 of C25K, and am thinking about doing a 5k tomorrow evening (random opportunity came up). I am so scared of actually signing up and doing one, so I think being spontaneous like this might be the only way to accomplish it.

I can jog 25-30 minutes but I'm slow - like maybe 12 minute mile. I am afraid I'll finish last, or be lapped by 70 year olds.

What do you think? Should I just do it and walk what I need to, in order to get over the fear? Or stick with my original plan of mid October and build myself up mentally in the meantime?
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Replies

  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    Do it, you won't regret it. Even if you get passed - so what? You're DOING IT! Don't worry about keeping up with anyone else, or who passes you. Run it for YOU, not anyone else. Keep your own pace, do your own thing, win your own battle.
  • GoalByFifty
    GoalByFifty Posts: 97 Member
    YOU GOT THIS! :)
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Hey, some of those 70 year olds can be FAST.

    You won't be last, and even if you are... so what? You're only running against yourself. Plus, with all the excitement and race day endorphins, you'll probably be faster than your training runs. And if you have to walk some, walk. There's no shame in that. I even won a 1st place in age group medal with a few walk intervals.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    Lots of people will be slow. Go do your best and be proud of doing something.
  • Skinny_Jeans_Soon
    Skinny_Jeans_Soon Posts: 326 Member
    I was the same way, sign up for one and use it as motivation to push yourself. Make some aggressive goals in terms of your running workouts and stick to them. Then attend the race and focus on having fun and jogging the entire time, you will surprise yourself.
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    Don't worry about the people that pass you. You have the same pace as me! Just be in it to finish it for YOURSELF! You CAN do it! My first one I was placed @ 181. There were only 210 people that ran it.. which means that I wasn't last!!!

    walk only when you're absolutely desperate, because you know how it is, once you stop jogging, it's harder start up again and maintain your pace. It's really easier just to keep jogging. Don't let the negative voices in your head tell you that you can't finish.
  • metre30
    metre30 Posts: 20 Member
    Totally just do it! Think about it in the opposite way. What if you pass people? Won't that feel awesome?

    Racing is a totally different experience than running on your own. Give it a try!
  • brent44622
    brent44622 Posts: 19
    You will do fine! I feared my first 5K and was worried everyone would be sitting at the finish line and timing me! What really happened was that some of the super fast runners walked the course backwards to stretch their legs and came back and cheered on the other runners. It was a GREAT experience! You are always competing against yourself in a race like this. Runners are the most supportive group ever. I make it a point after I finish a 5k or other race to spend time at or before the finish line to cheer those on who come in after me. Nobody is looking at your time, but everyone is proud of you for being there and doing it! I say GO FOR IT!
  • dmh0204
    dmh0204 Posts: 81
    No one is going to lap you on a 12 minute mile. In fact, as long as you keep running, I think a 12 minute mile will put you in the middle of the pack.

    Do it. You won't regret anything. Running with a big group in a race is a great boost. Just keep running, and you'll do great.

    Edit: Also, I agree with previous posts that runners are very supportive. Everyone at the race was where you are at one point. Everyone ran their first mile at one point--and it was probably terrible. The important thing is that they didn't stop at 1 mile.
  • jen_bd6
    jen_bd6 Posts: 501 Member
    Just do it!! You will never regret it... You've got this!!! :) You have worked very hard and are doing so well. Just keep running.
  • wells0707
    wells0707 Posts: 251 Member
    A 12 minute mile really isn't bad. I guarentee there will be a ton of people slower than that. Just do it!
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    DO IT! The worst that happens is you finish last BUT you'll still have finished. I'm running a 5k at the end of September and I just finished week 5 and you're faster than me...don't worry, you've got this!
  • consumone
    consumone Posts: 139 Member
    I cried the first time I did one at the beginning I was so scared - who cares if you finish last - think of all the people that did not finish!!!!!
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    Even if they pass you - so what! The only one who matters is you. You got this :)
  • kellygirl5538
    kellygirl5538 Posts: 597 Member
    Shoot I hike with people in their 70's they can kick butt...you need to run your own run...
  • Lize11e
    Lize11e Posts: 419
    "Doesn't matter how slow you go, you're lapping everyone on the couch" :glasses: GO FOR IT!
  • angeltg
    angeltg Posts: 97 Member
    The feeling of accomplishment after the race is well worth the anxiety before the race. You got this!
  • Leigh_b
    Leigh_b Posts: 576 Member
    I ran my first 5K at a 12 minute mile. I had two goals. One was to actually finish the race and the second was to run the whole time. I didn't care how slow I was going, I was not going to walk. I accomplished both goals and was no where near the last person to finish.

    You should do it. Once you do, you will never look back.

    I ran my first 5K 1 year ago this weekend. In October I will be running my 3rd 1/2 marathon and now run very comfortably at a 10 minute mile...

    Feel free to add me if want extra running encouragement. I've been there :flowerforyou:
  • sundancer1966
    sundancer1966 Posts: 478 Member
    Do it!! I have my first one coming up in Sept - I know I will not finish first, I am excited about finishing. Do this for you!
  • freew67
    freew67 Posts: 348 Member
    Who cares about anyone else in that race but you. I would 100% do it just for the simple fact when you planned on doing your first one you will have a better understanding of what you can do. 12 min mile is not bad at all and tbh thats about where Im at now after 4-5 months of running. Just start off easy and build from there. If you need to walk, there is no shame in it. Catch your breath and get back to it.

    My first 5K I got passed by strollers, walkers, and a prego. The guy who won the walking finished 4 mins ahead of me and was 74 yrs old (Im 34). I set a PR and that was the best part of the day. I did it, that was a victory in itself. Enjoy it and please let us know how you do.

    http://freew67.blogspot.com/
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    DO IT!!!!!! And, I've been at 5k's as a 40 y.o. woman with a decent running pace, and I get smoked by a 65+ year old dude almost every time!! LOL . . .once you get there and see how much fun it is, you'll be looking for another one to sign up for.

    DO IT!! GO GET IT!!! And most of all HAVE FUN!!!!
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    odds are you're not going to finish dead last or anything like that....even in a small race. and the awesome feeling you'll get when you cross the finish line is well worth it.
  • 5pmsomewherenow
    5pmsomewherenow Posts: 163 Member
    You've got to DO IT -- there's only ONE first time. You'll realize it's not really as far as you think it is. Crap -- you can completely WALK a 5k, at a good pace in about 50 minutes. Lots of people acutally sign up for 5ks and WALK.

    Even if you jog for two minutes and walk for two minutes, you'll be just fine. 5ks are a great atmosphere and full of support! You'll have your first personal best time, and a threshold for the future. Think of it as a step into a autumn full of wonderful 5k adventures!
  • freew67
    freew67 Posts: 348 Member
    and the awesome feeling you'll get when you cross the finish line is well worth it.

    Agree 100% and its hard to explain to someone that feeling till you do it yourself.

    http://freew67.blogspot.com/
  • blackcoffeeandcherrypie
    blackcoffeeandcherrypie Posts: 486 Member
    Lol it takes me 17 minutes to run a mile - I guarantee you will not be slower than me! Just imagine you crossing the line, and then me shuffling over about 20 minutes after you :-P
  • photorific
    photorific Posts: 577 Member
    Do it! I know it's nervewracking, but trust me on a couple things:

    1. You'll be able to run farther than you think you can, when you're running with a whole group of other people (and you'll likely be a bit faster as well).

    2. You may get passed by a lot of people - younger and older - but it's ok. It's a run, not a "race" (unless you're like Top 5 or something - then it's a "race"). Think of yourself like a groupie, chasing after the Top 3. :wink:

    And a final note - I see a lot of "I may not be fast, but I'm not last" types of quotes. I'd like to propose a modification. "Not fast, maybe last, but at least I did it."

    You got this - now go get it! :bigsmile:
  • lorierin22
    lorierin22 Posts: 432 Member
    If you run about a 12 min mile that will put you finishing in less than 37 minutes. My avg 5k time is between 36-37 minutes and I've had 70 year olds finish in front of me and 20 year olds finish behind me and you know what?? noone even noticed. We were all just happy to have finished :wink: I vote...go for it!! :happy:
  • Feisty_Red
    Feisty_Red Posts: 982 Member
    I just did my first 5 k color run and I LOOVED IT.. signed up for a mud run for October. You will feel great that you did it..and no freaking out needed...just own it :) I normally can only run like a min..then I have to slow..then run..etc..but I found in the excitement of the race(even though the color run was more just mad crazy fun) I ran..and I ran!!!!!!

    :drinker:
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
    You will do fine! I feared my first 5K and was worried everyone would be sitting at the finish line and timing me! What really happened was that some of the super fast runners walked the course backwards to stretch their legs and came back and cheered on the other runners. It was a GREAT experience! You are always competing against yourself in a race like this. Runners are the most supportive group ever. I make it a point after I finish a 5k or other race to spend time at or before the finish line to cheer those on who come in after me. Nobody is looking at your time, but everyone is proud of you for being there and doing it! I say GO FOR IT!

    This!! x100!! :)
  • amytag
    amytag Posts: 206 Member
    thanks for the encouragement! I think I can do this :-) I'll let you know Monday if I chicken out. Hopefully posting this will keep me pumped.

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