Average 5K time - first race

2

Replies

  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    You sound pretty competitive, and you're already above the embarrassment pace, so why not set a goal of 10-minute miles, and work toward it between now and the race. That would be 31 minutes for a 5k.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I think my first one was maybe 40 minutes or so... I eeked out a sub-25 last summer. 35 is perfectly respectable... as is any finish BTW.

    Dead last > DNF > Never tried
  • Just do it!

    Also, you will probably end up getting a better time at the race than you've been getting on your own. Running with a crowd tends to do that. This can be both a good and bad thing. Don't push yourself more than you know you can handle. You should go easy on yourself since it's your first 5k. Just finishing it is great in itself. Then you can try beating that time at your next 5k(s). Good luck!
  • nicarey19
    nicarey19 Posts: 126 Member
    Don't wait. Register and run one! I did my first 5K in Oct and I ran a 37:31. You have a baseline also and you can try to beat it. After you run I want to know how you did. I bet you will do great!
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    OMG 35 would be an awesome first time. Mine was 40:10 and there was others whom did some jogging after me.
  • BioMechHeretic
    BioMechHeretic Posts: 128 Member
    Run it for sure!

    You'll be right in the middle of the pack at that speed.
  • bluefish49
    bluefish49 Posts: 102 Member
    My first 5K was over an hour. That was 3 years ago. Even within the last year I had people tell me before the event even started that they didn't think I could make it. The best revenge is Success! I got my on-pavement time down to 52 minutes, and my treadmill time down to 46-48, depending on how hard I want to push myself (and yes, for all you people out there whose workout gets completely ruined by someone else hanging on to the rails, I hang on to the rails!!! LOL!!!)

    In an event, I am last about 75% of the time. It doesn't bother me. I got off my *kitten* and did it. I am running circles around people sitting on the couch. Someone else is happy they they weren't last. Overall, I got in more minutes of cardio than anyone else participating in the event!

    The only time I ever got bothered was about 15 years ago at an event where there were SO MANY volunteers with nothing to do that, as the last place participant I had 7 sag-wagons follow me across the finish line. That experience kept me from doing them for a long time.

    I am doing a 5K this weekend at the Brayton Fire School Disaster City at Texas A&M. It is a training facility where they have staged full blown train wrecks, oil refinery scenarios, collapsed buildings, a ship, etc. Apparently the course will go through all the "disasters". The event is a fundraiser for 4 firefighters from Bryan, TX, two who were killed and two who were seriously injured several months ago.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    My first 5K was over an hour. That was 3 years ago. Even within the last year I had people tell me before the event even started that they didn't think I could make it. The best revenge is Success! I got my on-pavement time down to 52 minutes, and my treadmill time down to 46-48, depending on how hard I want to push myself (and yes, for all you people out there whose workout gets completely ruined by someone else hanging on to the rails, I hang on to the rails!!! LOL!!!)

    In an event, I am last about 75% of the time. It doesn't bother me. I got off my *kitten* and did it. I am running circles around people sitting on the couch. Someone else is happy they they weren't last. Overall, I got in more minutes of cardio than anyone else participating in the event!

    The only time I ever got bothered was about 15 years ago at an event where there were SO MANY volunteers with nothing to do that, as the last place participant I had 7 sag-wagons follow me across the finish line. That experience kept me from doing them for a long time.

    I am doing a 5K this weekend at the Brayton Fire School Disaster City at Texas A&M. It is a training facility where they have staged full blown train wrecks, oil refinery scenarios, collapsed buildings, a ship, etc. Apparently the course will go through all the "disasters". The event is a fundraiser for 4 firefighters from Bryan, TX, two who were killed and two who were seriously injured several months ago.

    :flowerforyou:

    You, sir, are awesome.

    :drinker:
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
    My 1st was 48 mins, and i was at the back but not last.
    I beat my hubby who stayed at home :drinker: ( and all the other lazy sods)
    And ii will get to seee my run times get so much better in the next few years.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    If only people who hoped to win races entered, you'd likely only see four or five in most races (be it running, motorracing or whatever) - so enter and, err, 'enjoy'* :).
    *Though I dislike running races, have done a few as I do enjoy the benefits of being healthier!
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    Do it now!

    When I ran my first 5k pushing a jogging stroller my time was 37:52. Eight months later I ran one pushing the stroller in 29:52. Huge improvement, I was so proud of myself. Sunday I ran a 5k, my first with out the stroller and my time was 28:01. I like that I started running races when I was new to running, it's been a good way for me to measure my progress.

    I have never come in last in a race and Sunday with a field size of about 5700, I had 3000 people finish after me.
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    Run YOUR race-not anybody else's. Do YOUR best and don't compare yourself to anyone.
    Good Luck to you.
  • Chris99mu
    Chris99mu Posts: 352 Member
    I can do a flat run in about 27 min. Did a bridge run with a crazy effin headwind on Sunday in just under 31. It was hard as hell! So, it depends on the course, conditions, etc.

    Go sign up now!! You will be sooooooo proud of yourself no matter what time you get!!
  • sedickison
    sedickison Posts: 4 Member
    I ran my first 3K in 22 minutes and my first 5K is in a month. I can currently do a 5K in about 39 minutes. Go ahead and register!! You're competing against yourself and the clock and certainly not the other runners.
  • agirlscamaro
    agirlscamaro Posts: 175 Member
    My first 5k was March 2nd. I finished at 50 minutes. It was a trail walk up/down the side of a mountain. One of the hills I stood for a second at the bottom and questioned my sanity.
  • jgcurry3
    jgcurry3 Posts: 172 Member
    Do it. You will naturally run faster on race day, adrenaline kicks in, maybe competition. I always try to catch the person in front of me. Make a day of it with some friends, pick someone on race day that you dont want to get passed by, sing songs and encourage the people around you. Going in to a race expecting to win is arrogant use each race to test your abilities and get stronger.
  • Cmmf1234
    Cmmf1234 Posts: 14 Member
    Your time is fine. This is a huge accomplishment that not many people experience. I did my first 5k last year, 33 minutes.
  • tammihart
    tammihart Posts: 953 Member
    DO IT!! I did my first 5k last fall in 41 min. I didn't worry about the time, I was just excited I finished and I was by far not the last.
  • Rgtjax85
    Rgtjax85 Posts: 99 Member
    You are already a speedster in my eyes. My first 5k was about 34 minutes. I now run at 30 minutes or less. The cool thing about running is that it is an individual sport. Run the best you can and randomly cheer on people that you pass or pass you.
  • Rgtjax85
    Rgtjax85 Posts: 99 Member
    ^ Very true the excitement of the race pushes you even more.
  • piggydog
    piggydog Posts: 322
    I did my first 5k in 43 mins

    That was at a swift walk and I was about to die because I was so outta shape... My dad was walking off and leaving me like it was no big deal -.-
  • lynn_hickey
    lynn_hickey Posts: 80 Member
    I just did my first 5k sunday, and my time was 41.53. The atmosphere is so amazing that I am hooked! Already signed up for my next one, and obviously going to work on my time. Hoping to cut at least 3 mins off by my next one. The skill level and ages of everyone running were all so different, and no one is there to judge! I think I'm still on a high from it! lol
  • amybg1
    amybg1 Posts: 631 Member
    My first 5 was done in 34:04 so 35's pretty good!
  • lej91
    lej91 Posts: 12
    Alright, I registered!! Thanks to everyone who responded (if you see this) because I am super motivated and exited. I'm running next friday, and my brother is doing it with me! This forum has been so inspiring.
  • Run_Forever
    Run_Forever Posts: 147 Member
    Congrats on signing up ! The most important thing and hardest thing to do is actually register for a race. I kept making excuses for so long thinking I needed to be a better runner before registering for a race. My first race I ran was with my sister 7 years ago and I have been hooked ever since.
  • lynn_hickey
    lynn_hickey Posts: 80 Member
    Alright, I registered!! Thanks to everyone who responded (if you see this) because I am super motivated and exited. I'm running next friday, and my brother is doing it with me! This forum has been so inspiring.

    Good luck and have fun!! You will love it and want to do more :)
  • Been reading this.... I am signed up with my family for my first ever 5k in late june(color me rad) I am scared to death but looking forward to it at the same time..... I just want to finish..... good luck to you!
  • PaulJRaymond
    PaulJRaymond Posts: 100 Member
    Alright, I registered!! Thanks to everyone who responded (if you see this) because I am super motivated and exited. I'm running next friday, and my brother is doing it with me! This forum has been so inspiring.

    I hope you'll come back after the race and let everyone know how you got on!
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    The 1st 5k I did was with a toddler and an infant, and a wagon....it took us an hour and we still weren't the last ones!
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    I think 35 minutes is awesome!!!