Need 5K advice please!

Okay, calling on my runner MFP buddies....I need your input- I am considering doing the C25K program to prepare for a 5K but the caveat is that I only have 6 weeks to prepare rather than 9 like the program calls for. The race is March 23rd. Do you think I am setting myself up for failure by rushing it? I don't expect to win (clearly!!) I want to finish...thoughts?

I am in decent shape but have had minimal exercise in the last year..... but where I lack in that I excel in determination!

Thanks!! :glasses:

The program is based on a set combo of walking/running. You can definitely keep going with the walk run interval you are comfortable with for the duration of a 5k by week 6. You won't be setting any course records but you can finish, even if you revert to walk 1 run 1. Go for it.

How are you feeling with starting out on Week 1 of C25K? You could try week 1 and if it seems pretty easy then try skipping a week or so.

You're not setting yourself up for failure at all either way. Your first 5k goal should be finishing, not any record time. Finish your first one and then try another.

Go for it, just listen to your body. You may have one great run/walk, and the next time feel like poo. The main thing is that you not give up. Like others have said, even if you don't finish running the 5k, cross the finish line, it's a great feeling!!!

Go for it! Even if you follow the program exactly, and walk at the points in the race that the program has you walking at that six week mark, you'll still have completed a 5K. And you can keep moving on and set goals to improve your time for the next 5K.

No matter what, you'll be lapping those still on the couch.

I am doing the same thing. I am just going to do my best...it will be my first one and I am excited. Good luck!

SLOW DOWN! Just enjoy the run and slow down.. I know it's a "race", but sometimes people try to run too fast and they miss out on the enjoyment. You should enjoy it and don't be afraid to slow down while traiining The first time I did the C25k, I kept trying to run too fast. I didn't keep up with running because I didn't think it was fun. The 2nd time I did the C25k, I made the decision that I'm going to enjoy it and run slower. Within a year I did 2 half marathons, 2 5 mile races and 3 5k! It's so much fun, but you don't have to run fast

I say go for it. If you are in pretty good shape you can probably skip some of the beginning. Try week 1 day 1, and if it is way too easy skip to week 2 day 1, etc. BUT don't go overboard, know your body. You can totally do this!!!! Have fun!!!

Failure is not an option or a possibility. If you are reasonably fit you can walk 3 miles in about an hour. So something better than that will be success.

I did my first 5k 2 weeks after signing up for it... I didn't run the entire time but I finished it! And did another one a couple of weeks later...still didn't run the entire way but cut a minute off of the first one. So just go for it!

Are you doing a "run/walk" or "fun run"? Those have a wide range of abilities at them. There are people who come in with 16 minutes or 62 minutes (seriously those were the fastest and slowest at my last 5k), I do those every weekend and I just started C25k three weeks ago. I don't run the whole time, but in the past three races I have cut 3 minutes off of my time. I'm planning to do a 10k early in June (it is a run/walk too). I find I do way better in actual 5ks than when running alone. Anytime I see someone out cheering us on in the middle of winter, I push myself to run. I also love my collection of 5k swag :-) 5ks are worth it even if you aren't a runner. A while back my whole family did them and half of us walked the whole thing.
Try day one on C25k and see how you feel. If you are already somewhat fit, you may try the first day and decide to skip ahead to week two
Good luck and have fun!