Running my first 5k on Sunday

Read the link in my signature. I wrote it exactly for your occasion. :-D

I've ran a few 5k's and don't worry. I'm sure you'll do great! And I totally understand the new workout outfit too! I love getting new clothes, it pumps me up and makes me feel cute

Trust me, nobody will be wondering what you're doing at the race. You'll see people of all walks of life at the 5k...especially if it's a large race.

As far as jitters go, in my experience, the more times you run them, the less nervous you'll feel. Just remember that you're trained for this and that's what will get you through it. You do this all the time when you work out! Some comfort you might get is once the gun, horn, cannon, (or whatever method they use to start the race), goes off, those jitters will go away and you'll just be in your zone doing your thing. Just don't try to keep up with the crazies who start off at a dead sprint....only a few will be able to actually hold that pace....you just run your race!

Best of luck to you...most importantly, have fun with it!

i remember my first race and what people would think of me. Jog for a few minutes to get warmed up, make sure to stretch well, then head for the starting line and just relax. Youre there to have fun and thats what races are all about. I have a race tomorrow and the only thing i think about is crossing the finish line!!

I'm happy if others can benefit from it.

I started Couch to 5K in March, finished in late May, and ran my first 5K 2 weeks ago (I had mostly walked another right before I started C25K). So I'm kinda like the blind leading the blind here, but I can give this much advice.

1) Don't worry about what other people think. First of all, 5Ks usually get a pretty wide range of participants -- old and young, big and small, people who were track stars in HS/college and people who can barely walk the whole thing, and so on. You will not be the biggest or the slowest person there, and even if you were, who cares -- at least you're out there, doing something to get more fit. Secondly, except for those few people at the very top, 5Ks are not all that competitive, and other runners as a whole will probably be positive and encouraging. At a smaller race that gets a lot of the same people every year, some may ask you if it's your first time; larger races get a lot of first-timers, so you will hardly be alone. And don't sell yourself short. You may do better than you expected.

2) The start of the race is going to be a huge adrenaline rush. Don't fall into the trap of running your hardest at the beginning, only to blow away all your energy before you reach the 1-mile marker and end up sore for days because you ran at top speed before you were fully warmed up. Aim for a steady pace, and if anything, start out a little slower than usual and push harder as the race progresses.

3) Be realistic about your ability when you line up. You don't want to have to dodge a sea of walkers and slower runners, nor do you want faster runners to have to dodge you. And while these things happen in every race, you can make them happen less. In a large race, there will be signs telling where certain pace groups should line up. In a smaller one without such signs, your best bet is probably about two-thirds to three-quarters back from the start line.

4) Follow the same rules of the road that you would while driving or riding a bike. If you have to slow down, walk, or even stop, do your best to move off to the right or otherwise get out of the way of the people who are behind you. There are few things worse than going at a steady pace, only to have someone right in front of you suddenly put on the brakes. And if you want to pass someone directly in front of you, announce the direction you'll be going (for example, "on your left"), and don't be afraid to say "excuse me" if space is a little tight.

5) On a related note, I'd strongly advise against wearing headphones (and a lot of races don't allow them anyway). Awareness of other runners is especially important when you're in a large group.

6) Take a quick jog in the new clothes you bought to make sure they're going to work out for you on Sunday. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable during the race, or worse yet, suffer a wardrobe surprise. As a side note, if the UA capris are the ones I think they are (the black/white/neon pink striped ones), I have them and would strongly advise against wearing black or brightly colored underwear with 'em.

I ran my very 1st 5k on Memorial Day and have finished 3 more since then. I have another one coming up on the 16th. Good luck to you! Who cares what anyone might be thinking. Remember this, you are doing it, and that is all that counts. Bravo! And the nervous thing is normal. But it is adrenaline- it will help you get through the race. Beware, this will be addictive now. After you run one, you just want to keep doing more of them! Have fun! Oh and chewing gum while running is a major help too.