To run or not to run!!

nicolerah
nicolerah Posts: 440 Member
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
ok.. so there's this co-worker of mine, who I thought was really stuck up cause she's absolutely skinny etc etc.. :embarassed:

Yesterday at the lunch table we actually had a conversation about fitness and I couldn't believe that she is obsessive about maintaining her size cause she says she was a bit bigger and doesn't want to go back there. I realised that we had pretty much the same sort of issues. We has a pretty decent dialogue... Lo and behold she sends me an email today inviting me (along with two or three others) to join her in a 5K that's coming up on the 23rd of this month! I have never thought of doing a 5K before and wow!! I don't know if I should or not! I mean, I never really ran before.

My question is... should I or shouldn't I run the 5K.. I have until Friday morning to decide!
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Replies

  • alison2429
    alison2429 Posts: 236 Member
    YES
  • JDRBT
    JDRBT Posts: 264 Member
    The very first triathlon I did, I did because my friend was moving away and she asked me to.

    That Triathlon experience changed my life.

    You have NOTHING to lose by challenging yourself to complete a 5k! In fact, you might even gain a friend.

    I say go for it and aim for your personal goal. Keep it simple -how about just not finishing last?
  • SmashleeWpg
    SmashleeWpg Posts: 567 Member
    YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY DO IT! You will love it, and it's a fantastic sense of accomplishment! :)
  • amcgowan10
    amcgowan10 Posts: 17
    It's great to set new goals for yourself and sometimes trying something new and being accountable for it makes you hit that goal much quicker. I think many of us are on MFP to be accountable to anyone for what we are eating and how much exercise we get. I saw go for it. Maybe look up the "couch to 5k" program?
  • darlenewanamaker
    darlenewanamaker Posts: 162 Member
    absoluely, yes !!:flowerforyou:
  • Mom2rh
    Mom2rh Posts: 612 Member
    Heck yeah.
  • JoseMedina21
    JoseMedina21 Posts: 186 Member
    Absolutely do it!!! I know the 5k runs they have in my home town also allow people to walk them (just in case you can't run the full 5k). I think it will be great to participate and might show you something you didn't know you could do.
  • stenochick
    stenochick Posts: 142 Member
    do it!! You'll have fun and get some great exercise in and bond with your co-workers. Run or walk or a combo, races are always a lot of fun.
  • vzepol
    vzepol Posts: 131 Member
    If you can walk the distance, give it a try. There is no rule that says you have to run all or any part of a 5k. Use it as a social outing.
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    The Up side is... Well its only about 3.5 miles... so its not a terribly long distance. and you would feel super accomplished, you would get a GREAT work out in. You would realize that you are capable of so much more than you thought, it will fuel your fire for continuing working out...

    The down side, you will probably be sore and want to continue running because you will have become addicted to the runners high.


    YIKES! I don't know... better weigh your options

    :happy: I say go for it. But that is me.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I hadn't run more than a mile straight since highschool my first 5k 2 years ago! I say YES YES YES becasue they are SO fun!!
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    Not to be Debbie Downer, but unless you've had some background with running I vote NO until you've had some time to train for the event.

    I'm not saying you can't do it, but unless you do train and understand proper running form, you're setting yourself up for potential injury.

    As an alternate, see if there is another 5K, say, later in August. I know in my area there are a TON of 5K events during the summer. That will give you more time to train and prepare for the event.
  • fionat29
    fionat29 Posts: 717 Member
    Golly! That doesn't give you much time to do any training does it? Still 5K isn't too long, perhaps if you walk/run?? Difficult! :bigsmile:
  • BeautyCrys
    BeautyCrys Posts: 209 Member
    Yes definitely do it!!!! You got this!
  • Improvised
    Improvised Posts: 925 Member
    YES you should run! Just go for it!
  • aly1221
    aly1221 Posts: 55
    if you can then hell yeah
    me...i HATE to run, and that will never be my choice of exercise lol
    but i know so many people who LOVE doing it
    yes, train...no use hurting yourself and who knows? this could become your new favorite hobbie :)
  • Bethany28
    Bethany28 Posts: 263
    DO IT! Just start training now and just do your best on the 23rd!
  • Starkle09
    Starkle09 Posts: 238 Member
    do it!!! u will love it and want to do it again :)
  • Starkle09
    Starkle09 Posts: 238 Member
    do it!!! u will love it and want to do it again :)
  • 24man
    24man Posts: 58
    Sure, do it. Nothing to be scard of. My sisters do 5k's and they walk almost the whole way. It's just walking for 3.1 miles - about 45 min. I'd throw a little running in to make it more challenging. When I go running, I run for awhile, I walk for awhile. Before you know it, the running part gets to be more and more. Just doing the 5k is fun. You got your running gear on, you got your running number (bib) pinned to your shirt, you get a little excited just before the run. Then you finish it and it's all good. If you don't like it afterwards,,,,,you don't have to try it again. But at least you can say you ran one.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I'd say do it.. train as much as you can, and when race day comes, listen to you're body. If its telling you run then run, if it says walk then walk.

    For me personally, you would never ever get me to run a 5K because I don't run unless I absolutely need too.. and by absolutely need to I mean, serial killer or rabid dog chasing me.
  • FatUncleRob
    FatUncleRob Posts: 341
    As long as you are OK with walking some of it if you have to (and it's a distinct possibility) I'd say "Go for it."

    Just don't push too hard during training. You don't have much time, but don't try to cram 5 or 6 weeks of training into the next 2-and-a-half weeks. Try walking 5K first - building up to it over the course of a few days if you need to.

    Remember rest days are important and, if you really want to RUN it - make sure you have good running shoes.

    Good luck! :smile:
  • silvafan
    silvafan Posts: 147
    Its a great experience, I did my first 5K on Saturday and I preped for 3 months for it. You don't have to run the entire thing, especially since this is your first time and you haven't preped for it. I say go for it just don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. It's 3.1 miles just start out with a nice slow pace, run for as long as possible, when you need to stop then walk after you catch your breath start running again.

    If you do this 5K you will see how awesome it is then you can prepare for a future 5K and maybe start the C25K program then you can work towards running the whole thing next time and having a great time. It is addicting, I say just go for it :-)
  • taylorgirl
    taylorgirl Posts: 81
    Go for it! Earlier this year my Trainer challenged me to complete a Trianthalon which consisted of a 5K. The one thing I did not like to do was run. After accepting the challenge and training for about 4 weeks, not only was I able to run the entire 5K , I completed it in 33 mins.; now I practically run everyday. This was about the last thing I thought I'd find myself doing at the age of "55"' GO FOR IT!
  • apoyser
    apoyser Posts: 35
    Yes do it!!!! Walk, run do your best and you will feel great about it! I recently did my first 5k and I'm in love with running now if you are not a runner try a 5k training C25k is a great program to prevent injury my wife is doing it and getting amazing results. You can do anything we are strong people!
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    YES! You can totally walk as much of it as you want or need to..and it will be fun and maybe give you a bug for running..OR let you know that you hate it lol. Just have fun :)
  • MamaMayo
    MamaMayo Posts: 30
    I have to say, I agree w/ 24man's reply. I started running about 3.5 yrs. ago, hated it w/ a passion even when I played sports in school. I avoided it at all costs!!! Now, I have learnt how good it feels, how it has helped me become who I am. I now believe that all things are possible. The first 5k I ran in 2009, I was terrified but when you cross that finsh line and everyone is cheering you on that's what it's all about. It's not about how fast you can do it, you may have to walk some that's okay. I recommend pacing yourself, starting out w/ a slow jog wait till the end and bust out that last 10th of a mile. It is only 3.1 miles, average time 30 - 40 mins., best feeling of accomplishment ever! I now have participate in a half marathon in Oct. 2010, doing it again this year. I have learnt to be fearless, take my time, and enjoy the scenery. Besides, you meet a lot of nice people, great supportors. Best of luck to you! I say "YES!"
  • MamaMayo
    MamaMayo Posts: 30
    I have to say, I agree w/ 24man's reply. I started running about 3.5 yrs. ago, hated it w/ a passion even when I played sports in school. I avoided it at all costs!!! Now, I have learnt how good it feels, how it has helped me become who I am. I now believe that all things are possible. The first 5k I ran in 2009, I was terrified but when you cross that finsh line and everyone is cheering you on that's what it's all about. It's not about how fast you can do it, you may have to walk some that's okay. I recommend pacing yourself, starting out w/ a slow jog wait till the end and bust out that last 10th of a mile. It is only 3.1 miles, average time 30 - 40 mins., best feeling of accomplishment ever! I now have participate in a half marathon in Oct. 2010, doing it again this year. I have learnt to be fearless, take my time, and enjoy the scenery. Besides, you meet a lot of nice people, great supportors. Best of luck to you! I say "YES!"
  • GameOn2011
    GameOn2011 Posts: 73 Member
    That is how I started running, a friend invited me to run a 5K. Now 10 years later I am still running and have even completed the NYC Marathon.

    Now I invite friends to run 5K!!! I even invited a co-worker run her first 5K with me and now we are training for a 1/2 marathon together. And it doens't hurt that she has lost 40 pounds since that 5K.

    It can really be a changing experience.

    GOOD LUCK!
  • carolinedb
    carolinedb Posts: 236 Member
    Give it a shot! You can always walk/run...there's no rule that says you can't!
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