Training for my first race!!

chickky311
chickky311 Posts: 17
edited September 27 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been running on and off for the past 2 years, mainly only in the spring/summer and never for long distances. I decided this year is going to be "the year" for me. I signed up for my first race ever, a 10K, which is in August. I know that it might seem ambitious for my first race but I think I can do it. My goal for this race is just to finish it, and not worry about the time. I have a 13 week program that I'm working on, currently on week 3. It alternates running days and rest days, with a little bit of cross training in between. The first 2 weeks every run was 1.5 mi, and every week after increases by about .25-.50 mi. I'm on week 3 and 1.75 mi runs right now. I know to some of you seasoned runners this distance seems like nothing, but its still a workout for me. I'm really hoping to be able to keep up the schedule, its not hard to do, but sometimes I'm having trouble finding the motivation to do it. I really have to keep telling myself that it will all pay off in the end when I complete my first race, and that I don't really need that extra 45 min of sleep in the morning, LOL. Some days its harder than others though.

Aside from the 10K (which is the Champions 10K run in Chicago), I've also signed up for two 5K's as well. One is the Chicago Half Marathon and 5K in September, and the other is the Halloween Hustle 5K in Palatine, IL in October. My line of thinking is if I can achieve my goal of finishing the 10K in August, then these two 5K's should be a piece of cake.

Good luck to all of you out there training for you first races...keep up the motivation!!!! :happy:

Replies

  • bbbbb33333
    bbbbb33333 Posts: 1,107 Member
    Way to go and pushing yourself and setting a goal.

    That is one of the ways I keep running interesting to me. I run 1 or 2 10Ks a year and some years a 1/2 marathon. For the 1/2 marathon I definitely follow a plan like you that adds ~ 10% mileage a week. Definitely worth it to get your body used to the extra pounding.

    If you are having a hard time getting up, why not try another time of day? Maybe after work?
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    The only motivation I have to run is signing up for a race. I even got up at 5 am to run in the summer because if I waited too late, it would be too hot and I would poop out and wouldn't get the distance in. Just keep telling yourself that you want to finish the race. If you don't do the work, you won't finish and that is the truth! Congratulations on your decision to race. It's a great motivator - especially after you've raced once! So much fun! ENJOY!! :o)
  • chickky311
    chickky311 Posts: 17
    Whenever I can, I do try and run later in the day. Usually my schedule just doesn't allow for it though, which is why I run in the mornings before work.
  • srp2011
    srp2011 Posts: 1,829 Member
    Good luck! Races are a great motivator and lots of fun - I started running a few years ago and got hooked on 5Ks - I'm thinking of moving up to 10Ks in the fall, but want to work on getting my 5K time down first (that and running through the summer - here in TX, that's a challenge, but I'm determined to give it a go this year, even if I have to run inside on a treadmill to keep the mileage up).
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