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My first race?! Help psych me up, please!

LorinaLynn
LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
Background: In December, I decided to do a Warrior Dash in June, and started training using the Couch to 5k, and figured I'd do a practice 5k or two before then. I finished the C25K and I'm continuing to increase my distance and speed. At the beginning of this month, my goal was to be able to run 4 miles straight by the end of the month.

I'm registered to do a 5k for the Red Cross on March 26. I always figured that would be my first official run.

But now... My niece - one of my fitness heroes - invited me to join her in a 4.5 mile race this coming Sunday. Eeek! That's further than I've ever run. It's a longer race than she's ever done, too, but she's a veteran at 5k and runs all the time.

Today, I ran 4.25 miles on the treadmill. I could've run longer, and it would have taken less than 3 more minutes to get to 4.5 miles.

But I'm ... Scared? Nervous? Apprehensive? I've pretty much only ever run on a treadmill, not outside. And I do have a bit of cold-induced asthma. The weather is supposed to be nice on Sunday, but it'll still be pretty darn chilly in the morning.

On the other hand, I could always take a hit on a Primatine Mist before running. And even if I can't run the whole thing, so what? It's my first run. I have no illusions that I'd win in my age bracket, unless no one else in my bracket shows! And it's a low ($10) registration fee, and I'd get a free cap for entering. And if I am able to run the whole thing, WOOHOO!

So why am I so wishy washy?

Replies

  • snflwr04
    snflwr04 Posts: 46
    You got this! Remember to keep your pace when running outside - you'll run farther then you ever thought you could. I to have my first 5K on March 26th

    Your nervous/apprehensive because you have a fear of failing at your goal. We all are. But you're doing it and you deserve a pat on the back for that.

    Keep running, and tell yourself "I got this!"
  • bexdc
    bexdc Posts: 202 Member
    Remember that you'll get a PR (personal record) no matter what! So relax and enjoy this race. Start out slow and maintain a pace where you can converse. If you still have gas in the last mile and a half, then speed it up.

    People tend to start out too fast, so if you can warm up by jogging for even 5-10 minutes beforehand, you won't be gasping too hard for breath when the starting gun goes off.
  • lkkyer
    lkkyer Posts: 38 Member
    Fear of the unknown? I think you spelled it all out yourself: You have absolutely nothing to lose if you try and don't finish. I bet you'll spend a lot of time beating yourself up if you don't give it a shot. Just think what a confidence boost you'll gain just for trying :-)
  • missy1970eb
    missy1970eb Posts: 1,209 Member
    i did 5k race for life last yr, and had not run since leaving school trained for about 3 months, was such a buzz on the day and u dont need 2 worry about being chilly lol, u'll soon warm up after running a bit:smile: gd luck
  • elf618
    elf618 Posts: 317 Member
    You've got it. The adrenaline of a group race will carry you that extra fraction of a mile. I know you CAN do it and, there's no shame really in walking either, so just go out and have a good time. Also, remember that primatine mist, if not what your doctor recommends you take, can actually make reactive airway disease rebound and be worse when the medicine wears off, so consider seeing your doctor if you're having more symptoms and are needing to try to find over the counter remedies.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Entry form is all printed out and ready to take with me on Sunday. :happy:

    So, I did 4.25 miles on Monday. Today, I jogged 25 minutes, walked for 5, then jogged another 25, which was a little over 4.5 miles total running distance. I typically, run 3x a week, or sometimes every other day. And I like to alternate between breaking it up like Couch to 5k, and running it all at once.

    Should I do more running on Friday, like I normally would, or ease up on the running since I'm doing the race on Sunday?
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    On the asthma... I honestly haven't seen my doctor for it since I was a kid, because that was the last time I was consistently active enough for it to bother me enough to go to a doctor. :embarassed:

    It only bothers me if I'm active and breathing cold air. I honestly don't know if it still bothers me now. I know my breathing overall is better since I've started running. I don't snore anymore, either. :smile: And I haven't gotten winded or wheezy while shoveling snow this winter. The last time I got wheezy was in November, before all this started, when my dog got out of the yard and I had to run to the park to catch him. That was one of my "Damn, I'm really out of shape!" moments.
  • SammieGetsFit
    SammieGetsFit Posts: 432 Member
    You did say it yourself, but I'll reiterate: you have nothing to lose by participating. Worst case scenario (without getting into melodramatic territory) your asthma acts up a little and you have to walk some of it. You'll undoubtedly have at least put in your work out for the day and also have a good idea of what you can handle outside, which you can use to prep for your next race. That's a win in my book, and that's the worst case scenario.

    Good luck! I'm sure you can do it!
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