First 5k... ever... YIKES!

six1908
six1908 Posts: 99 Member
in Introduce Yourself
So I'm going to be doing my first 5k ever.... I'm pumped. Like excited to build my confidence up by starting something and finishing it. I am a little nervous and apprehensive though because I have this ultimate fear of failure. I like to do the eliptical and can go all day on it... well for like an hour at a pretty fast pace.. but I have fallen off of a treadmill before lol. Would it be better for me to train on the treadmill again.. and how can I get comfortable on it so I don't feel like I'm going bust my face in front of everyone at the gym? Any advice on how an out of shape guy can get up to a 5k? Any advice will be helpful! Thanks ya'll!

Replies

  • whankammer
    whankammer Posts: 41 Member
    I started running when I was 300ish pounds. I could do the elliptical pretty easily and decided I'd try the treadmill. Well.. They're two different animals all together. Here's what worked for me.

    Start by walking. Easy peasy right? Work yourself up to a 3.5 or 4.0mph walk then start adding jogging intervals, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, and work your way up to 1 minute. Now I'm not saying do this all in one day, this could be weeks on end whatever is comfortable for you. Once you can run pretty easily at a comfortable pace (my beginning pace was 5.5mph slow as hell but I was still moving), grab a C25k App and go from there. It'll ease you into running further and further until low and behold you're running for 10 minutes at a time, then even further. Next thing you know you're running a mile without stopping, then 2 miles without stopping, then BAM that magical 3.1 miles WITHOUT stopping. It's a pretty awesome feeling.

    Good luck. Getting into running is a big strain on the body. Your mind says HEY I CAN DO THIS, but your body will need to work itself up to it.

    EDIT - One more thing. I would try to throw in at least one OUTDOOR run a day to get comfortable running outside. The Treadmill and Outdoor running are completely different. Also when you're running on the Treadmill to simulate outdoor running I would put it at a .5 or 1.0 incline.
  • GC2B
    GC2B Posts: 168 Member
    Try a C25K programme and get outside, running outdoors compare to treadmill is different.
    try not to worry about speed or distance for a start, that can come in time, I'd say focus on stamina first.

    Good luck and I know you will be great
    Turn the fear if failure into a determination to succeed.
  • TriShamelessly
    TriShamelessly Posts: 905 Member
    Try a C25K programme and get outside, running outdoors compare to treadmill is different.
    try not to worry about speed or distance for a start, that can come in time, I'd say focus on stamina first.

    Good luck and I know you will be great
    Turn the fear if failure into a determination to succeed.

    All of this and good luck - I'll be trying my first 5k on April 20th!
  • reese66
    reese66 Posts: 2,920 Member
    I would honestly take it outside and hit the pavement or if it's a trail run I would advise training on a local trail.
    Treadmill his a great way to train don't get me wrong but like one of the above posters said it is not the same as running out doors, just my two cents.

    The Couch to 5K program is a great training program for beginning runners, you can find the app on android and Iphone as well.

    Have a great run, your going to do awesome!
  • izenzo
    izenzo Posts: 57 Member
    I can't run due to a bum knee, but I have not let it stop me. I did my first 5k in January and am signed up for my 4th and 5th now. I walk them. Many are run/walk deals. So if you can't run it all, walk. The goal..finish without injury.

    I am going for 13 in '13 :)

    Good luck...I think you will become addicted like me.
  • stealthSLOTH
    stealthSLOTH Posts: 695 Member
    You can do it!!

    Couch to 5K is the 'gateway drug' to running! Training for a 1/2 now... :laugh: :smile:

    - - -

    ETA:

    Just remember that if you're having any problems completing a week on Couch to 5K, you can always repeat it, or even better - I slow down.
  • junkie_99
    junkie_99 Posts: 26
    You can do it!!

    Couch to 5K is the 'gateway drug' to running! Training for a 1/2 now... :laugh: :smile:

    - - -

    ETA:

    Just remember that if you're having any problems completing a week on Couch to 5K, you can always repeat it, or even better - I slow down.

    1/2 is a gateway to a full! it's a great feeling to finish that first 26.2 miles....
  • fastfoodietofitcutie
    fastfoodietofitcutie Posts: 523 Member
    I'm doing a 5k the end of May and am just starting the C25K program but am walking it. I am in no shape to run and am worried I'll do myself more harm then good if I attempt to run right off the bat. When it calls for running, I'm just walking faster. Hopefully over time I can work my way up to a run but if I can make it through the 5k with a brisk walk I'll be happy.

    As everyone else has stated, try to do this outside because if you only use the treadmill you'll be in for a rude awakening come race day.

    There's a C25K group on MFP so you may want to join that also. Feel free to add me.

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