First 5k! Advice?

I like morning sessions. I feel great the rest of the day.

I haven't done C25K, but I did my own version of it before it was around. I decided to start walking to get healthier. Then, I got bored going slow, so I would run between some of the driveways on my route. Then, I would run more than I was walking. Then, I was running the whole way and making my route longer.

I bet you feel the same way. Start walking, but when the mood hits to go faster, do it! If you walk the 5K, great! But if you feel like running for parts of it, even just the beginning and end, do it!

Best of luck!

I would do the 6am run, I workout better in the morning as find the end of the day I'm tired. If I was running for 6am I would not eat anything until after the run. I don't drink anything about an hour before either otherwise I end up with a stitch, but if you're planning to walk some of it then that may not happen to you. As the 5k is so soon why not start C25k that day. The podcast will probably end before the 5k is finished but you can do the last part according to how you feel i.e. continue with run/walk intervals or just walk, or even run if you're feeling up to it! Remember to pace yourself with running, slow is better when you're starting out. Get yourself fitted with some good running shoes at a professional run shop where they can analyse your gait and recommend the right shoes for you. Even if you feel like running the whole way I would caution it because doing too much too soon when you haven't trained can lead to injuries so be careful. Good luck, it sounds exciting!

So a few questions:

1. I have the option of a 6 am run or a 6 pm run. Which would you recommend? Why?
2. How would YOU eat before a 6 am run? Before a 6 pm run?
3. What if I just went ahead and did both? I mean - why not?!
4. Obviously I've not done C25K YET, and I really am an awful runner - I've never ever actually RAN in my life and I am new to it, so of course I plan on walking the 5k! But should I walk the whole way? Is there a reason to do that? Or should I just go for it and run what I can of it? I don't even know what pace is good...but I feel like it would be a good ice breaker opportunity to try running for once

I think that's all my questions...of course any other advice is welcome
Thanks!
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1. 6pm. I'm not a morning person.
2. Before a 6 pm run I wouldn't eat anything after 4pm.
3. You're a better person than I.
4. In the words of Yoda: "Do or do not." Don't walk it. The whole poing of a c25k program is to RUN. You don't have to run a full sprint for 5k, but at least try to run most of it. The best pace is the one you can achieve. I'm slow as hell (11 min mile at BEST), but I can sustain it for 5k and that's good enough for me!

I just joined Life Time Fitness's 90-Day Challenge for the first time! It began today

The first Try-it Tuesday event is this coming Tuesday and it is a 5k. I've never done a 5k before but this is perfect because I wanted to do the C25K program at some point, so I'm really excited to get a taste of what a 5k really is!

So a few questions:

1. I have the option of a 6 am run or a 6 pm run. Which would you recommend? Why?
2. How would YOU eat before a 6 am run? Before a 6 pm run?
3. What if I just went ahead and did both? I mean - why not?!
4. Obviously I've not done C25K YET, and I really am an awful runner - I've never ever actually RAN in my life and I am new to it, so of course I plan on walking the 5k! But should I walk the whole way? Is there a reason to do that? Or should I just go for it and run what I can of it? I don't even know what pace is good...but I feel like it would be a good ice breaker opportunity to try running for once

I think that's all my questions...of course any other advice is welcome
Thanks!

1) 6 pm (i'm not an early bird)
2) i do not eat before a run - i eat 2 hours before and it's a light snack (toast with peanut butter, string cheese, granola bar)
3) why not - if you're body can handle it then go for it but listen to your body
4) walk it, run when you feel like running don't try to keep up with the pack. pace varies from person to person, training level to training level. races i typically run between 10:30/mile to 11:20/mile pace.

if you are warm before the race starts you will be ridiculously sweating up a storm during the race. you want to dress so you are a little cold standing waiting for the race to begin. you'll warm up especially if you plan to run even just a little bit of the 5k.

good luck.

Thank you thank you thank you for all the advice! I DID read it all as soon as I saw it, I just haven't replied yet

I really like all of your suggestions and good points.

Ultimately I decided on the 6 pm one - fits tomorrow's schedule better, and this way I could do my own workout right before it.
Then I'll just walk it, and run as I feel like it...or, try running :P

I reeeeally like the idea of start c25k with this 5k, it just 'makes sense', but the reason I waited to start the program in the first place is because I know I can't commit to it right now as I am currently focused on different exercise goals. So I want to start it when I am ready.

But having this first 5k will at least give me an idea of what I am facing and what I will be running in the not-too-far-off future!

Thanks again guys

Ok now I am confused!!

You are kicking off C25K by racing in a 5K?! The point of c25k is to build up to your first race.

You want an evening race, so you can work out before the race? this is probably not wise. If you want to do your best in the race you will want to rest several days prior. A short 5-10 minute warmup 10-20 minutes before the race should be plenty

I just joined Life Time Fitness's 90-Day Challenge for the first time! It began today

The first Try-it Tuesday event is this coming Tuesday and it is a 5k. I've never done a 5k before but this is perfect because I wanted to do the C25K program at some point, so I'm really excited to get a taste of what a 5k really is!

So a few questions:

1. I have the option of a 6 am run or a 6 pm run. Which would you recommend? Why?
2. How would YOU eat before a 6 am run? Before a 6 pm run?
3. What if I just went ahead and did both? I mean - why not?!
4. Obviously I've not done C25K YET, and I really am an awful runner - I've never ever actually RAN in my life and I am new to it, so of course I plan on walking the 5k! But should I walk the whole way? Is there a reason to do that? Or should I just go for it and run what I can of it? I don't even know what pace is good...but I feel like it would be a good ice breaker opportunity to try running for once

I think that's all my questions...of course any other advice is welcome
Thanks!

1. Doesn't matter, but NEVER run on an empty stomach, which many AM runners tend to do. I recommend whatever time of day is more convenient and you are more awake. For me, evening is better on weekends, but morning or at lunch is better during the week because I get exhausted from work and my commute.
2. Technically, pre-run should be energy to fuel you, post-run should be replenish...so, I do protein before, 4:1 carb to protein after...this can be in the form of a shake, a pre-made recovery drink from a health store (but be warned, they are stupidly high in sugars)
3. If you can run AM and PM, and you aren't feeling fatigued or tired, that is fine...just don't do it everyday...your body needs time to recover
4. If you have never run before, I advise going to a local running store and seeing if someone can fit you with running shoes based on observing your stride and your feet...if you are lucky, they will give you proper running form advice for free...if not, I always recommend you learn proper form before you start running...or doing any exercise. YouTube videos are always good...you just need someone to then video tape you so you can then analyze you compared to the proper form and adjust accordingly. So, I advise walk the whole thing.

Most importantly, have lots of fun and enjoy yourself! Good luck!!

Note: I recommend going to Runner's World and looking up some beginner articles; lots of useful and easy to understand info.