thinking about a 5K

I have done 2 5ks before.. the first one I was prepared for, the second one I wasn't and thought I was going to die! There are people of all paces there. Some even walk the entire thing. Don't get discouraged. If you want to sign up and think it will help you stick to your training, then by all means do it! I'm also looking for 5ks in my area too but more within the time frame of when I'll be through the training (even though I won't be at 3 miles yet because I train based on the minutes, not the distance and I am SUPER slow).

There's a good chance people will still be running the 5 mile while others are finishing the 3 mile. Sometimes there is overlap there. And yes, people can run a 5 miler in 45 minutes. The first 5K I ever ran in, there was also a 10K, and the winner of that had a time of 32:31, which is only 22 seconds slower than my time for the 5K (and that's my best 5K time to date)! (That person also ran the 5K first, in 15:01 (2nd place), got a ride back to the start and then ran and won the 10K. Seriously.) I was also far from last.

Who cares if you're the last person? Do it. You will not regret it. Having a goal is great. It seems like it would be a fun event, too.

I love this idea!

No, I don't think you'd have a problem doing 3 miles in 40 minutes. And no, I'm sure you won't be the last one but who cares if you are - you signed up, you trained and you did it. And next time you'll do better after some training. I've done two 10ks and three 5ks and every event included a wide variety of fitness levels - walkers, speed walkers, slow runners, fast runners and everything in between. Think of it this way, if you walk 4mph you can go 3 miles in 45 minutes. Assuming you run a little faster than that, you're guaranteed to do it. And don't feel bad if you run super slow - I started out running at only 4.3mph!

Have you been doing your C25K on the treadmill or outside? If you've been on the treadmill, make sure you start doing at least one day outside to prep for the race because there's a HUGE difference between the two.

Best of luck!!

That's sound like a great 5k to be your first. The extra events takes a lot of the pressure off most people. I would focus on finishing and not your finishing position first. Unless you're a super competitive person. Typically the last person a will finish a 5k in about 1hr-1hr 5mins.

Do people really run 5 miles in 45 minutes? And I know C25K is supposedly going to train me to run 3 miles in 30 minutes, but seriously...the likelihood of that is small. I may FINISH the 3 miles, but it may take an hour, or 24. What if I take 50 minutes?? Will I be the last person?

T

I finished C25K - my first 5k I ran in a little over 30 minutes, and my 2nd I went with my son and his calves were hurting so we walked the last 2 miles - finished in about 45 minutes. If you take 50 minutes you won't be last. A lot of people walk - and walk slowly.

I was shocked at my first race run time - but when I was there and going with the crowd it motivated me to pick up the pace a bit.

I am a horribly slow runner. But I'm going to just keep trucking along and signing up for fun 5ks I see.

Have fun! Enjoy! Post about it when you finish!

Good point. I'm on a treadmill at the gym b/c I don't want to run in 1000% humidity, or in the dark, or where people will drive by and see me and think "damn right that girl needs to run!".

Most people don't think this....I know when I see anyone running....no matter what size they are or how slow they are I'm proud of them! Just yesterday a bigger lady was running around our neighborhood (and she was going slow) and it made me want to get out and run because obviously I have no excuses!

Have you been doing your C25K on the treadmill or outside? If you've been on the treadmill, make sure you start doing at least one day outside to prep for the race because there's a HUGE difference between the two.

Good point. I'm on a treadmill at the gym b/c I don't want to run in 1000% humidity, or in the dark, or where people will drive by and see me and think "damn right that girl needs to run!".

Today is one of my C25K days, so I suppose I will take you up on your advice and do it outdoors. There's a nice running path that goes around a man-made lake in my neighborhood. Gah....at least at the gym everyone looks terrible.

Yes if you want to run a 5k, you really need to train outdoors as much as possible.

Ya'll have me so psyched! I'm totally going to do the Biggest Loser race on Jan. 12th. Beaumont is about an hour away and we have an RV, so I've already booked a spot at a nearby state park so we can come down that Friday and chill and then go to the race/walk/crawl that Sunday. I'm commited!!!!

Tomorrow I'll let you know how it goes running outside.....

That is amazing!!! Sounds like you are hooked already. 1 thing many of us forgot to mention..... running is addictive!!!

Best wishes. Definitely train outside and don't give two hoots for what anyone thinks. You will find most runners incredibly supportive and who cares about anyone else. Sure there is the possibility someone will yell something nasty out the window...so what. That is no reflection on you, only on their small souls.

I second the advice about going to a good running store (not a mall store) but one run by runners (Fleet Feet or the like). Risking injury with poorly fitting shoes is not a good way to start. Yes they will be expensive, but it is worth the health of your body. Bring an older pair of shoes in that you have run in so they can see the wear patterns. They will watch you walk and run and help select the right shoes for you.

Don't worry about your pace. For your first race, concentrate on finishing, even if you walk some or all of the distance. Many many people will. Some will walk all of it. Each of us runs our own race.

I've been running over a year and I cannot run a 9 min mile (5 miles in 45 min). My flat out fastest is just about 10 min/mile, which I can only sustain for about 3 miles. Beyond that distance, I am slower. It didn't stop me from running a half marathon in October, official stats: 2:31:55. Pace 11:36 min/Mile. Place in age division = 84. Oh, I am 58 by the way.

Yes people really run 5 miles in 45 minutes. Running is not a competition with anyone but yourself. Run YOUR race. If you come in dead last, which I doubt you will, you are still lapping all the people sitting on their butt eating Cheetos.
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5 - Relax and have fun. It's just running.

This is such great advice! A week or two before your race, run the same distance wearing a watch. Time yourself. On race day you are racing against yourself! What a great way to see improvement.

Go for it, and enjoy!