Ran a 5k, now can barely run a mile? wth?!
LaurenAOK
Posts: 2,475 Member
In January, I ran my first 5k. I hadn't been planning for it at all; I had been running occasionally, but the farthest I'd ever run was about 2 miles. The run was on a Disney cruise and my uncle told me about it the day before. I still partied it up on the cruise and got plastered that night, then got up on 2 hours of sleep, still drunk AND hungover, and ran the 5k in 27:24. Pretty cool, right?
WellI don't know if it was just the race atmosphere or what, but I haven't been able to run that far since! When I got back I went for a run and decided to aim for 2 miles. I thought it would be easy since I had already run 3.1! But nope, after the first mile I HAD to stop, walk for a couple minutes, and then run the second mile. I haven't been running that often since then but every time I do it's the same. Last night I set a goal of 1.5 miles. I did it, and it didn't kill me, but I definitely couldn't have kept going for double that distance!
I'm signed up for another 5k next month and I'm starting to get nervous. I have a plan - I'm aiming to get up to 2 miles this week, then 2.5 next week, and so on until the week before the race I should be up to running 3.5 miles nonstop. Then the 5k will feel easy, hopefully! But I just don't understand why I could do it before, but not now! Does anyone else find running is much easier during an actual race? I'm so confused haha.
WellI don't know if it was just the race atmosphere or what, but I haven't been able to run that far since! When I got back I went for a run and decided to aim for 2 miles. I thought it would be easy since I had already run 3.1! But nope, after the first mile I HAD to stop, walk for a couple minutes, and then run the second mile. I haven't been running that often since then but every time I do it's the same. Last night I set a goal of 1.5 miles. I did it, and it didn't kill me, but I definitely couldn't have kept going for double that distance!
I'm signed up for another 5k next month and I'm starting to get nervous. I have a plan - I'm aiming to get up to 2 miles this week, then 2.5 next week, and so on until the week before the race I should be up to running 3.5 miles nonstop. Then the 5k will feel easy, hopefully! But I just don't understand why I could do it before, but not now! Does anyone else find running is much easier during an actual race? I'm so confused haha.
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Replies
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My race times are always better than training. I typically train on a treadmill which is very different.0
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Events bring a certain energy to your run, and your adrenaline starts flowing- keep training and you will be just fine!0
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Where did you run? Are you doing running on a treadmill or outside? Running a cruise ship and running outside are also totally different so you have to factor in that as well0
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Where did you run? Are you doing running on a treadmill or outside? Running a cruise ship and running outside are also totally different so you have to factor in that as well
The run wasn't on the ship, it was outside on an Island in the Bahamas! And I run outdoors here in Florida where it is actually very similar
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You might be running too fast. Do you use anything that will tell you your pace?0
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I eat pasta the day before I run long distances. For some reason I have more energy and less joint pain during the run.0
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How's your pace during your training runs? Are you going at or faster than your race pace and burning yourself out?
And race day endorphins are a wonderful thing. My fastest 5k race was 24:59. I don't think I've ever been faster than 27:00 when just running by myself.0 -
Obviously the key is getting drunk before you run.....I'm impressed, I would never have made it out of bed.0
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Where did you run? Are you doing running on a treadmill or outside? Running a cruise ship and running outside are also totally different so you have to factor in that as well
The run wasn't on the ship, it was outside on an Island in the Bahamas! And I run outdoors here in Florida where it is actually very similar
Yeah, that was totally not how I read that so ignore me LOL0 -
You may be trying to run faster than your 5K pace and wearing down easily. It could be fatigue from exercise you did the day before. You also might not be running on the right amount or right kind of fuel - I definitely have a sweet spot where I'm well-fed but not too full, balanced between protein and carbs. I can't run in the mornings on an empty stomach to save my life.0
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As others have said, the race bring about an energy that is hard to match. Most people will run faster in that environment. Are you trying to match that pace? I would recommend going a bit slower. That's pretty quick for somebody who isn't used to running. Maybe check out the C25K program also. i am not familiar with it, but I have seen others on here who swear by it. You do not have to start at the beginning. Check out the plan and start at the place where you feel comfortable. Stick with it...you will do it!0
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You might be running too fast. Do you use anything that will tell you your pace?How's your pace during your training runs? Are you going at or faster than your race pace and burning yourself out?
And race day endorphins are a wonderful thing. My fastest 5k race was 24:59. I don't think I've ever been faster than 27:00 when just running by myself.
My pace seems to be about the same. On race day I was at just above 9 mins/mile and when I run alone I'm usually anywhere between 8:30-9:30/mile. Last night when I did the 1.5 I was running around 8:30/mile. So slightly faster but not by much!
And yeah, I guess I'll chalk it up to race day endorphins, haha!0 -
Not to burst your bubble, but a lot of "5ks" aren't actually 3.1 miles long. A lot of the run/walks that are for charities can be a lot shorter in actual distance. I wear my GPS for them now and have had some be as short as 2 miles. That may or may not be the case with yours. Also I do think the race atmosphere can give you a boost that you don't see in training. Just keep doing what you are doing and you should be fine for your next race. Maybe give a little of the C25K training a try and just start in the later weeks instead of week 1 since you already have some endurance built up.0
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How many calories are you eating? Are you eating your exercise calories?
You might have done well on the cruise run because you'd been eating more. Running--even just 3.1 miles--is an endurance event. Make sure you're fueling yourself properly for it.0 -
Obviously the key is getting drunk before you run.....I'm impressed, I would never have made it out of bed.
Right?! I've never been so impressed with myself tbh. I guess I'll just stay up all night with a bottle of tequila again
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Not to burst your bubble, but a lot of "5ks" aren't actually 3.1 miles long. A lot of the run/walks that are for charities can be a lot shorter in actual distance. I wear my GPS for them now and have had some be as short as 2 miles. That may or may not be the case with yours. Also I do think the race atmosphere can give you a boost that you don't see in training. Just keep doing what you are doing and you should be fine for your next race. Maybe give a little of the C25K training a try and just start in the later weeks instead of week 1 since you already have some endurance built up.
Dude, that stinks! I don't *think* that was the case here, though; I went with my uncle who is an experienced runner (he does races all the time) and he said his time was right on point with his usual 5Ks. He didn't say anything about it seeming short. I hope it wasn't! (Also, they had a marker every 1K, so I don't think they could do that without flat out lying right?) Also, I did C25K a while back. I liked it but I didn't finish the whole thing because I started focusing on weight training more than cardio. I may check it out again for the next few weeks though!0 -
Slow down to a pace at which you can finish the distance. On race day you will probably get all pumped up and go faster, but focus on distance first and speed second. Also, ideally train to run 4-5 miles in preparation for you 5k. Then 3.1 won't seem as long.
Good Luck!0 -
I'd say well done for doing it the first time, but you need to be consistent if you want to increase your distance in the long term.
If you're not running often, you wont be able to maintain let alone increase distance (and certainly not without risking injury). You need to run at least once or twice a week to maintain your cardiovascular fitness.
Have fun!!!0 -
I call it mob running. When you are in a crowd of people and everyone starts running you run too. In the beginning you will flow with the large group and then it thins out. That's where your training should kick in if it hasn't already and sets your pace for the rest of the race. The link below might help. Good luck.
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/50932/5K-Training-The-Most-Popular-Racing-Distance
P.S. After I ran my 1st 5k I was so sore I barely did any walking and no running for a month. Regular training, & having a training plan is always a big help.
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8:30 a mile is actually significantly different than a 9 min mile so you were basically doing speed work in my opinion. I train around a 9-9:30 but when race, am between 8:30-8:50 due to adrenaline and the race atmosphere. Try to slow down when training0
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bump for later0
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Have experienced this before, tired muscles, so take a week off and you'll be flying again.0
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Did you run the 5K with your Uncle? Running with someone, I often find I can go farther and faster.0
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My pace seems to be about the same. On race day I was at just above 9 mins/mile and when I run alone I'm usually anywhere between 8:30-9:30/mile. Last night when I did the 1.5 I was running around 8:30/mile. So slightly faster but not by much!
And yeah, I guess I'll chalk it up to race day endorphins, haha!
In my opinion, going ~30 seconds faster per mile than your race pace is more than slightly faster. That's finishing the 5k a minute and a half faster. Anyone would be thrilled to take 90 seconds off their PR. 0 -
Consider your pace - I tend to run faster when I'm on my own.
This means I'll get tired quicker.
I mostly stopped running around December last year and started again about a month ago, but this time with a running club.
Went in to the bottom group to start (with the fastest people in that group) and was absolutely fine - could have been walking for how tired I felt. However, if I'd gone for a run on my own, likely I'd have been pretty knackered a mile or two in.
Moved up a bit now and can either stick with the front of the 'intermediate' group or the back of the main 'medium' group.0 -
in order to see improvement in your running you need to run consistently. Attempting 1-2 miles every couple of weeks you will see the same results every time. A single event like a 5k will also not significantly change your fitness.
So what I am saying is run 3-4 times perweek. Start with some run walk intervals until you can run 20 minutes without stopping. Then build your time until you can run an hour with out stopping.
Race atmosphere, how rested your body is, hydration, nutrition ... all play a factor. The fact that you were on a cruise probably meant that you had been resting, and consuming more calories than average. This leaves your body able to run farther / faster0 -
I am the same, before christmas I was doing 10km and now i struggle with 5km. I'm putting it don't to not being motivated, when i run I just feel so bored sometimes. You should change it up, run a different route, or get out the gym and start road running. I find I can run further on the road than on a treadmill, because im being distracted more by my surroundings. In the gym im just staring at my stats counting down to when i can stop.0
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I did a Halloween 5K last Fall, and afterward, all of the experienced runners were immediately saying "this was longer than 5K". Turns out it was 3.6 miles (the turnaround spot was set wrong after the distance was measured). I agree that your uncle (or other runners) would probably have been able to tell if it wasn't right.Not to burst your bubble, but a lot of "5ks" aren't actually 3.1 miles long. A lot of the run/walks that are for charities can be a lot shorter in actual distance. I wear my GPS for them now and have had some be as short as 2 miles. That may or may not be the case with yours. Also I do think the race atmosphere can give you a boost that you don't see in training. Just keep doing what you are doing and you should be fine for your next race. Maybe give a little of the C25K training a try and just start in the later weeks instead of week 1 since you already have some endurance built up.
Dude, that stinks! I don't *think* that was the case here, though; I went with my uncle who is an experienced runner (he does races all the time) and he said his time was right on point with his usual 5Ks. He didn't say anything about it seeming short. I hope it wasn't! (Also, they had a marker every 1K, so I don't think they could do that without flat out lying right?) Also, I did C25K a while back. I liked it but I didn't finish the whole thing because I started focusing on weight training more than cardio. I may check it out again for the next few weeks though!0 -
I did a Halloween 5K last Fall, and afterward, all of the experienced runners were immediately saying "this was longer than 5K". Turns out it was 3.6 miles (the turnaround spot was set wrong after the distance was measured). I agree that your uncle (or other runners) would probably have been able to tell if it wasn't right.Not to burst your bubble, but a lot of "5ks" aren't actually 3.1 miles long. A lot of the run/walks that are for charities can be a lot shorter in actual distance. I wear my GPS for them now and have had some be as short as 2 miles. That may or may not be the case with yours. Also I do think the race atmosphere can give you a boost that you don't see in training. Just keep doing what you are doing and you should be fine for your next race. Maybe give a little of the C25K training a try and just start in the later weeks instead of week 1 since you already have some endurance built up.
Dude, that stinks! I don't *think* that was the case here, though; I went with my uncle who is an experienced runner (he does races all the time) and he said his time was right on point with his usual 5Ks. He didn't say anything about it seeming short. I hope it wasn't! (Also, they had a marker every 1K, so I don't think they could do that without flat out lying right?) Also, I did C25K a while back. I liked it but I didn't finish the whole thing because I started focusing on weight training more than cardio. I may check it out again for the next few weeks though!
LOL! So there are two sides to this dilemma! I have found that it is more likely in charity type events where the donation to the charity is the important part and the 5k is secondary. Which is why I try to avoid those races when I can.
I agree with the others, if your Uncle seemed to think it was on time with his other 5ks then a shorter course might not have been the case here.0 -
In January, I ran my first 5k. I hadn't been planning for it at all; I had been running occasionally, but the farthest I'd ever run was about 2 miles. The run was on a Disney cruise and my uncle told me about it the day before. I still partied it up on the cruise and got plastered that night, then got up on 2 hours of sleep, still drunk AND hungover, and ran the 5k in 27:24. Pretty cool, right?
If you raced a 5K in 27:24 and that was your maximum effort, then you absolutely should not be running faster than about 10 min/mi on your easy training runs. You are simply running too fast too often. There is a time and place for running fast, but it certainly isn't for the bulk of your training runs. You can do speed workouts, such as interval runs or tempo runs, but I'd only do them once, at most twice, a week since you are still a new runner. Ideally, most of your runs should otherwise be between 10 and 11 min/mi or even slower. If you make a deliberate effort to slow down your pace, you will be amazed at the increase in your endurance. And proper training incorporating easy runs at a comfortable pace with a speed run once a week if you so desire will set you up very nicely for your next race. This is a training concept that experienced runners learn and incorporate in order to meet their goals. And it absolutely works.0
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