How lon did it take to finish your first 5k?
forgettingourforgiveness
Posts: 23 Member
I am doing my first 5K race less than a month from now. I was just wondering, how long did it take you to finish? Those who did it that were more on the intermediate side. And did any of you finish last? And are their any tips you are willing to give for me? Thanks!
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Replies
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I can jog/walk 5K in about 45 minutes, give or take 2-3 minutes depending on the day and course. As long as you're doing some jogging and/or fast walking during some of the race, you won't finish last. There are people who walk 5Ks at a slow, leisurely pace (more power to them - at least they're doing it).
As long as you've been training a bit and, at the very least, you know you can walk 3 miles, you'll do great!0 -
Cliche answer:
Whatever time you finish in is great. There will be people who walk the whole thing, so don't worry about being last. Hell, even if you are last, still lapping everyone on the couch and yada yada yada.
More detailed answer:
I don't run a lot of 5ks. I think my first one was already after I had run several marathons, and was something like 23 minutes. I would say 30 minutes is about average, low 20s is good, sub 20 is great, and if you are in the 16 minute range for a woman, you are going to win or place (depending on the size of the race). If you are interested, you can look up something called an Age Grade, which tells you how your time would stack up to people your age in your region, nationally, and internationally.
Tips: Don't line up at the front unless you plan to compete for the podium. Don't carb load for a 5k. Pee before the race. Have fun and relax!0 -
I've never been fast. Ever. I think my first 5K was probably around 45 minutes. My best is around 33. Those are probably about 8 years apart. I'm super slow and I've never finished last. Not even close. Not even at a super small race. I finished 2 half marathons at about that same pace and I was middle (2/3 ish) of the pack. Don't sweat your time. Just go do it. You'll feel amazing! It's always much better and more fun than you worried about.
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Dead last. The first 3 5k's I ever did
I'm determined to live long enough to win my age group. 0 -
Speed, PRs, etc are all relative. Do the best for your ability and take your finish as great accomplishment!
Also, judging by the nature of your post, I would recommend staying near the back
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Last>DNF>DNS0
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My first was 53 minutes and that was when I was really out of shape, had NO training at all, my daughter and I stopped to take pics quite often AND we stopped in a gas station for water because I felt like dying LOL
My fastest so far was 42 minutes jogging/speed walking. I am not a fast jogger. I have another one coming up Saturday and plan to get under that 42 min mark.
And, I have never finished last, usually in the middle. Even at the 53 mins. Lots of people walk the entire way so if you're doing a bit of jogging you won't be last0 -
I ran/walked my first 5K last weekend on the treadmill, so not under competition pressure or anything, and did the 3.1 in about 37 minutes. Then I jogged/walked until 3.5 miles so my total time was 43 minutes.
Not bad for me, since I have never trained and have only once ran/walked a longer distance than 1 mile.
Good luck 0 -
30:29. I only ran on the treadmill twice prior and hadn't ran in years before that BUT I was already relatively fit from other activities.0
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Cliche answer:
Whatever time you finish in is great. There will be people who walk the whole thing, so don't worry about being last. Hell, even if you are last, still lapping everyone on the couch and yada yada yada.
More detailed answer:
I don't run a lot of 5ks. I think my first one was already after I had run several marathons, and was something like 23 minutes. I would say 30 minutes is about average, low 20s is good, sub 20 is great, and if you are in the 16 minute range for a woman, you are going to win or place (depending on the size of the race). If you are interested, you can look up something called an Age Grade, which tells you how your time would stack up to people your age in your region, nationally, and internationally.
Tips: Don't line up at the front unless you plan to compete for the podium. Don't carb load for a 5k. Pee before the race. Have fun and relax!
Thanks for the tip. I plan on running my first since Jr. High in the next month or so. I definitely would have downed an entire pepperoni pizza the night before, :laugh:
Based on your assessment, it's good to know that I shouldn't be last, which will help me enter another one.0 -
In nearly every 5K there are people who walk the whole way, so you almost certainly won't finish last!
The best thing about 5Ks is how supportive all the runners are of each other. The winner of the race, who might have finished in 16 minutes, will often cheer all the runners in to the finish!
I started running in high school (I'm 47 now) so I don't remember my first 5K time, but I time races, so I see lots of runners cross the line -- every one of them is trying their hardest, and it's an amazing achievement whether they finish in 30 minutes or 60 minutes!
Have fun in your first 5K!0 -
My first one was 30:11, and my second one three months postpartum was 34-something. This year I am hoping to beat that original time and get under 30:00 0
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I did my first 2 last year. The first one took me 47 minutes (very little jogging), and the 2nd took me 41 minutes (more jogging, while most everyone else was running it). I wasn't last in either one. But I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much. Just try to have fun, you'll love it!0
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I'm not a runner, in fact I hate it. I'd say my 5k time averages between 30-45 min, depends on how I'm feeling that day.0
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Last>DNF>DNS
Well said!0 -
I ran my first in about 37 minutes. I had trained by doing Couch 2 5K. I ran faster during training, but I slowed my pace in the race because I wanted to jog the whole thing. I was right in the middle of the pack. There were about 600 runners total. I agree with whoever posted about not starting right at the front. I started in the back and was able to set my own pace. Stretch and warm up before you start! Good luck! And have fun!0
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I ran my first 5K in 2009 at the age of 52 and had a chip time of just under 40 minutes, my current 5K PB is now under 26 min and one of my goals for this year is to go sub 25min.
As others have suggested, for your first race your only goal is to cross the finish line with a smile on your face; don't worry about what others are doing. I can tell you that the first time you cross that finish line the feeling is indescribable, even if you're never destined to start from the first corral it's addictive and gives you a great way to benchmark your improvement over time.
Have fun!0 -
I think my first was 31:17; these days, I can manage 23:00 - 25:00 depending on terrain.0
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Cliche answer:
Whatever time you finish in is great. There will be people who walk the whole thing, so don't worry about being last. Hell, even if you are last, still lapping everyone on the couch and yada yada yada.
More detailed answer:
I don't run a lot of 5ks. I think my first one was already after I had run several marathons, and was something like 23 minutes. I would say 30 minutes is about average, low 20s is good, sub 20 is great, and if you are in the 16 minute range for a woman, you are going to win or place (depending on the size of the race). If you are interested, you can look up something called an Age Grade, which tells you how your time would stack up to people your age in your region, nationally, and internationally.
Tips: Don't line up at the front unless you plan to compete for the podium. Don't carb load for a 5k. Pee before the race. Have fun and relax!
Thanks for the tip. I plan on running my first since Jr. High in the next month or so. I definitely would have downed an entire pepperoni pizza the night before, :laugh:
Based on your assessment, it's good to know that I shouldn't be last, which will help me enter another one.
for you, or anyone else looking to do their first race, this thread has great tips
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race0 -
I did my first 5k in 27:30 in the fall of 2012, this September I did the same race in 25:05. I'm hoping to get sub 24min next year.0
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I really really really want to be a runner, but I have not got to the point where I can run for longer than 90 seconds at a time. My time for a 5K a couple weeks ago was 45 minutes. I'll be happy if I can just get under 40 minutes 0
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29:070
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I did my first in October and my time was 30:47. My fiance and I crossed the finish line together. I am currently five months pregnant, so my time is much slower these days.. but I can't wait to get back at it and really challenge myself to beat my old time! 0
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My first was last October and I did it in 36 mins! I was no where near the back which I really thought I would be, because, like everyone else has been saying, sooo many people walk or do a mixture of jogging and walking! Either way it doesn't matter as long as you have fun...which you totally will! :-) I've now signed up for a 10K later this year and I am quite petrified!! Haha!0
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The first 5K I ever did was in 7th grade and I didn't know how to push my self so it took me 53 minutes. The next year in 8th I grade I ran the same 5k in 35 minutes. Fast forward several years to about 4 years ago when I ran my first 5k as an adult. I didn't really train for it much and I was unusually exhausted (found out a couple of days later that I was pregnant). I took me about 42 minutes. When I run a 5k now I can finish in about 40 minutes if I push a stroller and sub 35 minutes with out the stroller. Although, I've started running on a more regular basis so I'm hoping to improve on my times.0
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i came in 4th....from last in my first 5k time was 35:58. the winner finished in under 16 minutes! i did a mix of walking and running and have done so in every other 5k i've completed since. first one is still my best time though so go figure. i'm not very good at running but i do enjoy it so i continue. my goals when i "run" a race are to finish and not be dead last. have fun!! 0
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I did my first 5K in 2011 at 39 minutes. Since then I've improved my times - my most recent 5K was 33 minutes and I ran in two half marathons last year. However, I'm not speedy. I enjoy chugging along and feeling strong versus fast, winded, and worried I'm not going to make it.
But like others said...simply doing the race and crossing the finish line is what matters.
Tips: don't underestimate the helpful power of Immodium. It could save your *kitten* (literally) during the race. Also, start out going a little bit slower than you think you need to go as it will help you save up energy for that second and third mile. I personally like to take a water bottle with me, no matter how short the race, because my hydration wants don't always align with the aid station schedule. And, you feel faster and frisker when you wear a sparkle skirt.
GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN!0 -
I finished in exactly 30 minutes and was quite proud of myself. I had an injury so I hadn't been able to run for about five weeks before the race and I was delighted to discover I was able to run the whole thing without stopping. I had been training for about 4 months before the injury but it was still the first time I'd actually done the whole distance without a break.0
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My first was in August and took me 50mins on my own. I did my first Park Run in November in 37:24 and I was 44 out of 45. I didn't care, the fact that I got out and did it, exercised with others in a social setting was huge for me. This Saturday I ran it in 31:34 and was 37th of 47. My position doesn't bother me though as I raise to try and beat my own time. Go and run it as best as you can and enjoy it! Best of luck 0
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My first in 2011 was 34:17. I was able to drop to 30:21 a few months later.
The first one was a lot about nerves and excitement and not pacing myself properly. Good luck.0
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