Running a 5K for the first time on Sunday. Any advice or tips would be appreciated

TimothyPhoenix wrote: »

Just got home. I was able to run the entire race without stopping. I ran it in just over 35 minutes, which was about 2 minutes faster than my best time during training. The first mile I set a pretty easy pace and just kind of got my legs and breathing going. The second mile I picked up the pace considerably, maybe a little too much because the last mile was pretty rough. I was pretty much on auto pilot for that last mile and just toughed it out until the last 100 yards or so which I emptied the tank on and sprinted. It's really strange though, because I worked so hard for two months and accomplished everything I wanted to but on the way home I started to have this slight feeling of let down that it was all over. I guess I need to find the next challenge, but after I take a week off and just relax. Thank you everyone so much for all of the kinds words and support, it honestly helped me out a lot.

TimothyPhoenix wrote: »

Just got home. I was able to run the entire race without stopping. I ran it in just over 35 minutes, which was about 2 minutes faster than my best time during training. The first mile I set a pretty easy pace and just kind of got my legs and breathing going. The second mile I picked up the pace considerably, maybe a little too much because the last mile was pretty rough. I was pretty much on auto pilot for that last mile and just toughed it out until the last 100 yards or so which I emptied the tank on and sprinted. It's really strange though, because I worked so hard for two months and accomplished everything I wanted to but on the way home I started to have this slight feeling of let down that it was all over. I guess I need to find the next challenge, but after I take a week off and just relax. Thank you everyone so much for all of the kinds words and support, it honestly helped me out a lot.

TavistockToad wrote: »

FatMoojor wrote: »

TimothyPhoenix wrote: »

Just got home. I was able to run the entire race without stopping. I ran it in just over 35 minutes, which was about 2 minutes faster than my best time during training. The first mile I set a pretty easy pace and just kind of got my legs and breathing going. The second mile I picked up the pace considerably, maybe a little too much because the last mile was pretty rough. I was pretty much on auto pilot for that last mile and just toughed it out until the last 100 yards or so which I emptied the tank on and sprinted. It's really strange though, because I worked so hard for two months and accomplished everything I wanted to but on the way home I started to have this slight feeling of let down that it was all over. I guess I need to find the next challenge, but after I take a week off and just relax. Thank you everyone so much for all of the kinds words and support, it honestly helped me out a lot.

Congrats!
So quickly the runners high is replaced with the runners low of "what now". Next is a couple more 5ks, then you'll want to challenge yourself on a 10k. Soon a 5k will just be a warm up and 10ks will be the norm.

Then you'll want to know what all the fuss about the half. Half's will come and go and you'll be on the starting line for the full 26.2

You'll cross the line of that first 26.2 with a much better understanding about yourself, how to push on when you really want to just curl up and die, what you do when the going really is tough. But you will do it and the high will be amazing.

From there, there is only 1 way, longer and longer and longer, 30 miles, 75km, 100km, 100 miles, multi-day events. There is always a race somewhere.

I'm up to a half - no urge to do a marathon at all.... well.... not really.... :laugh:

TavistockToad wrote: »

FatMoojor wrote: »

TimothyPhoenix wrote: »

Just got home. I was able to run the entire race without stopping. I ran it in just over 35 minutes, which was about 2 minutes faster than my best time during training. The first mile I set a pretty easy pace and just kind of got my legs and breathing going. The second mile I picked up the pace considerably, maybe a little too much because the last mile was pretty rough. I was pretty much on auto pilot for that last mile and just toughed it out until the last 100 yards or so which I emptied the tank on and sprinted. It's really strange though, because I worked so hard for two months and accomplished everything I wanted to but on the way home I started to have this slight feeling of let down that it was all over. I guess I need to find the next challenge, but after I take a week off and just relax. Thank you everyone so much for all of the kinds words and support, it honestly helped me out a lot.

Congrats!
So quickly the runners high is replaced with the runners low of "what now". Next is a couple more 5ks, then you'll want to challenge yourself on a 10k. Soon a 5k will just be a warm up and 10ks will be the norm.

Then you'll want to know what all the fuss about the half. Half's will come and go and you'll be on the starting line for the full 26.2

You'll cross the line of that first 26.2 with a much better understanding about yourself, how to push on when you really want to just curl up and die, what you do when the going really is tough. But you will do it and the high will be amazing.

From there, there is only 1 way, longer and longer and longer, 30 miles, 75km, 100km, 100 miles, multi-day events. There is always a race somewhere.

I'm up to a half - no urge to do a marathon at all.... well.... not really.... :laugh: