My FIRST EVER 5k race is tomorrow! Suggestions???

Mrs_Hoffer
Mrs_Hoffer Posts: 5,193 Member
edited February 27 in Motivation and Support
Im so nervous and excited to be participating in my very first 5k tomorrow (Saturday) morning! Ive read lots of articles and blogs on this site and elsewhere about staying hydrated the day before and the day of the race, and eating carbs, etc. But I wondered what other suggestions that you might have for a "wanna be runner" like me .... they would be greatly appreciated!

Ive only been running for about 3 months now, so im not nearly as concerned about my overall time as i am just COMPLETELY RUNNING the race and not having to walk any of it! Thanks for your input and advice!

Wish me luck!
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Replies

  • Cerakoala
    Cerakoala Posts: 2,547 Member
    Just pace yourself :) I started at a medium pace at the start and middle then sped up the last 1 mile or so :) Have fun with it :)
  • FFfitgirl
    FFfitgirl Posts: 369 Member
    Don't stress, enjoy it!!
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    You don't need any special preparation for a 5k. Just do what you normally do when you practice. Pretend you're out for a morning run and have fun.
  • DeannaLynnPerkins
    DeannaLynnPerkins Posts: 41 Member
    Just have fun! Pace yourself and know that if you need to walk a little, it's ok! There are tons of people who participate in 5K's that actually walk the whole thing. Drink water before the race and eat a good breakfast, just healthy with some carbs and protein...not sure when your race is going to be, but I wouldn't advise eating RIGHT before. :-)
  • murf19
    murf19 Posts: 453 Member
    Have fun and pace yourself. Find someone running at your pace and stay with them. For your second 5k, try to better your time and keep doing that each time.
    stretch before and after and keep moving once your done. Don't just stop
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
    Get some rest tonight, have fun tomorrow and just enjoy the experience. Make sure you smile coming over the finish line for the pictures :-) Good luck.
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    good luck!

    youre going to do great. i remember being so nervous for my first 5k event.
    the day came, and i had a blast! you will too....and then youre going to sign up for another one....and another....

    rest well tonight, have a good breakfast in the morning, tie your shoes well, and get crackin!
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    You'l do great; go slow and have fun. Take pics to remember the first one. Best of luck!
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    Still haven't done my first, but looking forward to when I can.

    Enjoy it and relax:smile:
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    Suggestions? Yes, RUN!!

    Good luck, have fun :flowerforyou:
  • otter090812
    otter090812 Posts: 380 Member
    Great! Just enjoy, and don't go off too fast, you'll settle into a rhythm soon enough. That's my plan anyway - my first ever 5K is on Sunday!
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Carb load and go off like a shot when the gun fires.

    Or eat sensibly, start in a pace-appropriate area, and enjoy the accomplishment and keep up the good work.
  • freddi11e
    freddi11e Posts: 317 Member
    have fun and pace yourself. I remember for my first 5k i was nervous cus i hadnt ran for 10 years, and i smoked a cigarette approaching the starting line lol. i ended up running the whole thing in 45 minutes. I was so proud. have funn!!
  • waterboat1956
    waterboat1956 Posts: 8
    The fact that you are a Steelers fan says it all: you will kick *ss, and since it's your first time to run this type of race, whatever your finish time is WILL BE YOUR BEST TIME! (smile).

    Then, the next time you run, you might consider trying to beat your own best time.

    Repeat.

    Or, you could take a cab?

    Go Steelers!
  • jzs20
    jzs20 Posts: 58 Member
    wow that's awesome ! good Luck tomorrow. wish I had some good advice but I'm doing my first 5k next month.


    Please let us know how you make out ;)
  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    Have fun with it and don't stress time, speed, or anything else. If you don't come in last, you won. And even if you do come in last, you still beat everyone standing around in the crowd just watching.
  • glassgallm
    glassgallm Posts: 276 Member
    Have fun! Meet people! Enjoy the views! It's all good!
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    Carb load and go off like a shot when the gun fires.

    Or eat sensibly, start in a pace-appropriate area, and enjoy the accomplishment and keep up the good work.

    Dont listen to sarcastic-man:wink:

    Dont start in front, you will be trampled! Get there in plenty of time esp if you didnt pick up your bib. Dont worry about carb loading, but do try to use the restroom before the race. Start at a comfortable pace. You can always speed up. Since you have only been running for 3 months dont try and worry about time, you can next time though.

    If you stop for water, get off to the side. Warn people if you are about to drop to a walk so you are not crashed into.

    Ignore typos, and punctuation errors, typimg from ipad and i hate it!
  • CallMeRuPaul
    CallMeRuPaul Posts: 151 Member
    being nervous is natural. I've done 3 races and i still get nervous days before or the day of. take lots of pictures and live in the moment.
  • 1HappyTurtleRunner
    1HappyTurtleRunner Posts: 125 Member
    My suggestion is like many of the others, Have Fun!! 5Ks are fun and usually there are a lot of friendly people. Congrats on your training
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    Smile, hold your head high and have a blast!! You are going to love it!!:)
    Oh, and please post here after and tell us all how awesomely you did:-)
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    Remember, you can always run slower.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    If you want to.
  • derkin2005
    derkin2005 Posts: 282 Member
    Pace yourself, start off slow Run hard and enjoy it.
  • muggzie399
    muggzie399 Posts: 116 Member
    I have no reply. I am no where near running. Posters around me sound like fabulous ones. Stay cool, finish, and GOOD LUCK!
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Carb load and go off like a shot when the gun fires.

    Or eat sensibly, start in a pace-appropriate area, and enjoy the accomplishment and keep up the good work.

    Dont listen to sarcastic-man:wink:

    Dont start in front, you will be trampled! Get there in plenty of time esp if you didnt pick up your bib. Dont worry about carb loading, but do try to use the restroom before the race. Start at a comfortable pace. You can always speed up. Since you have only been running for 3 months dont try and worry about time, you can next time though.

    If you stop for water, get off to the side. Warn people if you are about to drop to a walk so you are not crashed into.

    Ignore typos, and punctuation errors, typimg from ipad and i hate it!

    Meant to add a smiley - I'm always happy for race virgins on their big day :)
  • Runningmischka
    Runningmischka Posts: 386 Member
    Advice: do not wear anything new, or do anythinng you have not done before the race.
    Once you finish the run, enjoy the atmosphere around you! And don't forget to tell us how it all went :smile:
  • jellybeansmamma
    jellybeansmamma Posts: 122 Member
    Good luck!!! And have fun :)
  • lockeddoor
    lockeddoor Posts: 103 Member
    I ran my first 5K in cotton. 100% cotton. Head to toe.

    Don't do that.

    Stay hydrated, though you really don't *need* to stop for water for a 5K, it's a short enough distance that it's not necessary (you can if you want to, of course!). I skipped the water station for my first 5K.

    Don't burn through all of your energy in the first mile. Adrenaline and crowds and super-fast-elite-runners-flying-past may make it seem like a good idea to speed up, but resist the urge. You can speed up later if you're still feeling super awesome and energetic, and then have a really strong finish. But chances are that when mile 2 shows up, you'll be glad you didn't push yourself to the limit already in mile 1. And when mile 3 shows up, you'll definitely be glad you didn't!

    Plan your playlist for your ipod ahead of time (if you plan on listening to music). Also, set out everything ahead of time that you'll need for race day. Your clothes, shoes, bib, etc. That way when morning comes, you're not scrambling and trying to locate things.

    Don't wear any clothing you haven't already trained in before. Race day is never the day to try anything new. Don't eat any new foods for breakfast either. Stick to foods you are already used to and know won't upset your stomach.

    Pee before the race.

    Smile at the race photographers even if you're dying on the inside! (I never notice the photographers until I've ran past them, so my event photos are awwwwful. Like, wtf am I doing with my face? Do really look like that when I run?! Ewwwww).

    Have fun! Crossing the finish line is an amazing feeling! Trust yourself; you know you can do this! You've already done the training, this is your victory lap!
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