Your first 5k

liscar
liscar Posts: 311 Member
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok -- I've seen a bunch of posts lately about people hesitant to sign up for their first 5k
You will absolutely, LOVE IT! There are great people, it's a great workout, it's completely ok to be slow, it's ok to walk some, or all - pretty much everyone there is there for fun and fitness - my last 5k there was a blind man being escorted by another runner!. You will meet great people and just have a great time. So, just do it! You won't regret it --- it's SO much fun and everyone is SO nice and it is a HUGE morale boosting, confidence building, epic event!

There are ALL sizes, ALL ages, walking, running, every fitness level, slow, fast, EVERY kind of person you can imagine, will be there.

If you STILL don't have the confidence to sign up, at least attend one so you can see for yourself
I promise you will love it and get hooked and everyone is SO supportive rooting you on! It's an awesome thing! And then, you normally get a t-shirt so you can wear it and brag whenever you feel like it
sweet!

Replies

  • cehrenhaus
    cehrenhaus Posts: 42
    I agree. I ran my first 5K last summer, it was utterly painful because I got shinsplints a few days before and I was not about to give up. I ran in pain from beginning to end but it was great to see how people were out there to encourage us all, to see the older people, the younger kids, the moms with their BOBs, I would absolutely do it again (this time hopefully not injured!).
  • Leannek74
    Leannek74 Posts: 374 Member
    Planning to do my first July 1st... so excited and even more so after reading your post! Thanks!
  • TheNewDanielle
    TheNewDanielle Posts: 87
    I'm actually trying to help organize a 5k for my area... there aren't any around here, but i really want to participate in one this fall. My local animal shelter is suggesting it to their fundraising committee :) Definitely hoping for news in the beginning of March :)
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    What a great post -- I could not have said it better myself! you rock!!
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    Totally and completely agree with you!!! I did my first (and second) last year and was overwhelmed with how supportive other runners are of us newbies!!! I'm currently training for my first 10k and full expect that it will be the same support, but less people walking, which is fine because I intend to RUN the whole thing!

    I used to think runners where crazy snobby freaks... now I know we are a little crazy, but awesome and supportive people!!!! I love being a runner! (I can't believe I said that... it's still pretty new to me!)
  • CherylYMerritt
    CherylYMerritt Posts: 114 Member
    OK, I'M CONVINCED!! My husband and I have been running for about 6 weeks now and contemplating trying a 5K.
    It does seem a bit intimidating...to sign up for the first one: however, you have to start somewhere. So thanks for the push:)
  • pcallahan1976
    pcallahan1976 Posts: 8
    Lisa, you did awesome on your first 5K! I was there when you crossed that Finish Line and was so proud of you. I'm so happy you're wanting to do more.

    Remember, you have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain by doing one. It's quite the experience crossing that Finish Line...there's such a sense of accomplishment and NO ONE can take it away from you...whether you walk, run, job, slog (Lisa's term) or walk it! It's yours!
  • c7eat2live
    c7eat2live Posts: 308 Member
    ABSOLUTELY AGREE! 5k races changed my life. I run one each month, ad honestly, without it I would not have lost any weight at all. GO DO IT! you wont regret it at all :) only word of caution: its addicting!
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    I just did my first this weekend with my son and 8 other family members and one friend. We ranged in age from 8-75, we all went at our own pace some of us made it in under 40 minutes and some made it in an hour plus. It is a great way to test yourself and motivate yourself and I have already planned 4 more :laugh:

    There were runners, walkers, strollers and the best two finishes of the day was the 85 year old lady with spunk and the two year old little girl that got out of her stroller and trotted through the finish line with her mom, hands in the air like she ran the whole thing :laugh: :laugh: Plus it benefited the zoo so we got a free day at the zoo out of it!
  • mrsbuzz
    mrsbuzz Posts: 576 Member
    How do you start training for a 5k...I would like to a least get into jogging.
  • ashley0616
    ashley0616 Posts: 579 Member
    I'm planning on 3 this year! I'm excited, I think the atmosphere of other runners will make me push myself that much more. Plus, they always sound like fun (at least the ones I am signed up for - I mean, "Drop Your Drawers and Run"?! AWESOME!).
  • UpToAnyCool
    UpToAnyCool Posts: 1,673
    And then, you normally get a t-shirt so you can wear it and brag whenever you feel like it
    sweet!

    :laugh: Oh no, are you resorting to the schwag angle? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
    I'm totally kidding.

    Thanks for the encouragement... I'm almost ready to do it. The NE winter has been a bit of a drag in terms of trying to build up base mileage (no gym membership, tiny apt, therefore no treadmill), but there's been a thaw in the NE recently and we finally got a whole week where I could run every other day!!
  • cahira
    cahira Posts: 163
    How do you start training for a 5k...I would like to a least get into jogging.

    I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program - http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    I'm on week 7, and even though I still need to lose a ton of weight - I'm running! I've worked up to about 2 miles at a time and I'm planning on running a 5K on March 12th and I want to run the whole thing. This program has been amazing for me!
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
    I totally agree. Once you do one you will be hooked. If you are nervous find one that is focused on being fun. I did my first one in October and now have 3 of them under my belt with my next one planned for March. The first one I did, I chose it because it was for a nascar drivers foundation and it is a good motivator to be jogging behind a couple professional athletes. The 2nd one I did was on a beach so what can be better than running on the beach with the ocean sounds to relax you. The third one I did was called the Reindeer Romp and they gave everyone antlers to wear and it was linked to a running program for girls. So there were a ton of kids running. Once you get there the buzz of all the runners will get you pumping and you will forget that you were even nervous.
  • gdunn55
    gdunn55 Posts: 363
    I'm running my first 5k next month. I'm not worried about it. The next month I'm running my first 10k, I'm more worried about that.
  • fuzzymel
    fuzzymel Posts: 400 Member
    I am planning one in July.
  • liscar
    liscar Posts: 311 Member
    I'm running my first 5k next month. I'm not worried about it. The next month I'm running my first 10k, I'm more worried about that.

    FUN! you can SO do it! I ran my first 10k last weekend and I was able to run the whole thing --- I'm slow, a little over 12 min miles, but it was awesome, I just monitored my heart rate the whole time to keep it down and I made it! I felt like damn superman all week :) Everyone there was amazing and SO supportive, and talk about swag SWEET! we got long sleeve shirts, medals and goodie bags it was awesome! Even people running the 1/2 marathon going by me were saying "good job, you're doing great" as they cruised by. You'll love it! My goal is to do at least one event every month just to keep my motivation up!
  • not2late
    not2late Posts: 98 Member
    Umm....surely you don't need an event to run? Just measure out your distance and do it? I did that a couple of years ago and found myself a nice 5k route that I could run every day. Hopefully when my weight is below joint knackering level I will get going on a nice daily 3k and weekly 10k that I just worked out from outside my front door.

    LOL I suppose I am just uncompetitive and anti social :D
  • evertongirl
    evertongirl Posts: 120 Member
    How do you start training for a 5k...I would like to a least get into jogging.

    I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program - http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    I'm on week 7, and even though I still need to lose a ton of weight - I'm running! I've worked up to about 2 miles at a time and I'm planning on running a 5K on March 12th and I want to run the whole thing. This program has been amazing for me!

    I agree- couch to 5 k application on your phone really motivates and helps you learn to pace yourself- Im on week 6 but ran 4km easily last sunday when running without the app - its reall helpful
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    im about to sign up for a half marathon in october
  • cahira
    cahira Posts: 163
    @suzycreamcheese - I have my eye on a half marathon on Thanksgiving. I need to look at some training plans to see if it is feasible for me.
  • UpToAnyCool
    UpToAnyCool Posts: 1,673
    Ok -- I've seen a bunch of posts lately about people hesitant to sign up for their first 5k
    You will absolutely, LOVE IT! ...
    There are ALL sizes, ALL ages, walking, running, every fitness level, slow, fast, EVERY kind of person you can imagine, will be there.

    @liscar - HEARTY THANKS :flowerforyou: . The timing of your post was great - got my check for freelance work in the mail that same day - just in time to sign up on-line for my first race ever, which I just ran today!

    To anyone hesitating, there is no reason to 'wait' until you have improved your time to certain a benchmark, etc.
    I was totally hesitant to do a race and was waiting to be able to consistently break the 10 min mile mark. But nerves, freezing temperatures and collective crowd energy propelled me forward to run the fastest I have since I was teenager! Not empirically fast, but very fast FOR ME...!

    Side note ~ :laugh: I experienced the classic first-timer pacing issue - by the last mile I had slowed down a bit and all the hardcore ladies my mother's age were leaving me in their wake - very inspirational! I want to be running races when I'm in my seventies too!! :laugh:
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    If you have an iPhone there's a great app called Runner's World Smartcoach that can take up to 16 weeks to prepare you for whatever distance you want to go! I'm using it right now to prepare for my first 10k and it's amazing! I am using the 16 week plan, even though I could already run 3 miles when I started and I'm glad I gave myself the time. There are gradual increases in distance and speed and then a little tapering before the actual race. They have plans for anything from a 5k to a marathon! Good luck!
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