First 5k!
Totttiebuttx3
Posts: 8 Member
2017 is my year! 
This year's bucket list consist of completing my first 5k. Here's the funny, I absolutely LOATH running.
But I want to change that. I'm looking for tips, tricks, help training, and some new friends to help motivate me and watch me reach my goal (and vise versa)
This year's bucket list consist of completing my first 5k. Here's the funny, I absolutely LOATH running.But I want to change that. I'm looking for tips, tricks, help training, and some new friends to help motivate me and watch me reach my goal (and vise versa)
3
Replies
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c25k is the best place to start!4
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C25K definitely.....just go slow, barely above a fast walk pace.
I made the mistake of going too fast too soon and now have a reoccurring injury.2 -
Make friends! I used to hate running too. At a local race last March, some guy (who, actually, is old enough to be my dad) started talking to me while we were waiting for the awards to start. From there I met all his other local racing friends and now we all meet up for as many local races as we can!
It's great because we're all different ages and all have different fitness hobbies (I run Spartans, Larry does triathlons, Tom ice climbs, etc.). So when we get together we all catch up and have a good race.
When I met them last year I was still new to running and I was pretty slow. We all race at our own pace so I got the benefit of having them all at the finish line cheering me on through every finish and celebrating every PR.
Even just one friend helps. I met my boyfriend this year as well and he's also a runner, so it helps having someone to race and run with.4 -
I'm a runner and always happy to see others take up running but.......if you hate running why do it? There are lots of other ways to be physically active, do something you enjoy! (having said that.....I'd always hated running too when I was younger and surprised myself that I actually enjoyed it when I started about 10 years ago.......maybe it was because i was doing it for me)
If you decide to go ahead with running take things slowly. Most of your running (all of it at first) should be at a conversational pace. If you can't speak in whole sentences slow down (if that means walking at first so be it...) take your time building distances but be consistent - get out (or on the treadmill) every second day.
I can tell you from personal experience that you will never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at your first race. I was slow as molasses but still felt like I'd won gold in the Olympics. A word of caution though.....5Ks are a gateway race. Once you start running your brain will try to fool you into running longer distances, improving your speed etc. If you approach this patiently and systematically you will amaze yourself with what you can acheive!12 -
If I could have stated what Brian did, as well as he did, I would have.1
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1. C25K (It takes you at exactly the right pace to avoid injury.)
2. Make sure all of your running isn't on the treadmill. (Running outside is vastly different and more challenging.)
2. Running buddy (The accountability will make you do it on days where your brain tries to talk you out of it.)
3. Register and pay for a 5K. (It will make you push yourself harder to achieve your goals.)
4. What @BrianSharpe said
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BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm a runner and always happy to see others take up running but.......if you hate running why do it? There are lots of other ways to be physically active, do something you enjoy! (having said that.....I'd always hated running too when I was younger and surprised myself that I actually enjoyed it when I started about 10 years ago.......maybe it was because i was doing it for me)
If you decide to go ahead with running take things slowly. Most of your running (all of it at first) should be at a conversational pace. If you can't speak in whole sentences slow down (if that means walking at first so be it...) take your time building distances but be consistent - get out (or on the treadmill) every second day.
I can tell you from personal experience that you will never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at your first race. I was slow as molasses but still felt like I'd won gold in the Olympics. A word of caution though.....5Ks are a gateway race. Once you start running your brain will try to fool you into running longer distances, improving your speed etc. If you approach this patiently and systematically you will amaze yourself with what you can acheive!
Yep. I remember standing on the starting line for my first half-marathon and thinking "Wait! I'm not a runner, so how the hell did this happen!?" Turns out, I am a runner.2 -
See if there are any running clubs/groups in your area. Most are beginner friendly and some have runs specifically for new runners. If you have a local running store, they may sponsor a beginner group or the local Y or Parks and Rec department may have a group training together. It can be fun to start with other beginners and graduate together to your first race.
If not, Couch to 5k works for many. If you have problems, repeat the day or even the whole week. Keep the pace slow, really slow. Think jog, not run.
Get yourself fitted for running shoes at a good running store. They'll watch you move and find a shoe that matches the way you walk/run.1 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »
I can tell you from personal experience that you will never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at your first race. I was slow as molasses but still felt like I'd won gold in the Olympics. A word of caution though.....5Ks are a gateway race. Once you start running your brain will try to fool you into running longer distances, improving your speed etc. If you approach this patiently and systematically you will amaze yourself with what you can acheive!
That's how I ended up at the Finish Line of a Half Marathon this past September. ;- )5 -
I am in the same boat as you @Totttiebuttx3. I hate running but I have set a personal fitness goal this year of running a 5K. I downloaded the C25K app on my phone last week but I haven't made myself do it yet.
I have a friend that is really into running so I told her about my goal so she can help to encourage me. She even told me that she will run it with me.
I'm not sure if I hate running because I have never really tried running or if I just hate it because I actually will find that I hate it. I guess I will find out.0 -
BruinsGal_91 wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm a runner and always happy to see others take up running but.......if you hate running why do it? There are lots of other ways to be physically active, do something you enjoy! (having said that.....I'd always hated running too when I was younger and surprised myself that I actually enjoyed it when I started about 10 years ago.......maybe it was because i was doing it for me)
If you decide to go ahead with running take things slowly. Most of your running (all of it at first) should be at a conversational pace. If you can't speak in whole sentences slow down (if that means walking at first so be it...) take your time building distances but be consistent - get out (or on the treadmill) every second day.
I can tell you from personal experience that you will never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at your first race. I was slow as molasses but still felt like I'd won gold in the Olympics. A word of caution though.....5Ks are a gateway race. Once you start running your brain will try to fool you into running longer distances, improving your speed etc. If you approach this patiently and systematically you will amaze yourself with what you can acheive!
Yep. I remember standing on the starting line for my first half-marathon and thinking "Wait! I'm not a runner, so how the hell did this happen!?" Turns out, I am a runner.
Or "I've been running for nine hours and covered 40 miles, in what way did this seem like a good idea"...
Then you end up with the thought process of "if I run a 50K, I've got enough in the tank for a marathon the following morning".
Epic bling though.0 -
Start slow and build. Try walking fast first and work up to several miles a day. When you feel good about it start mixing some running into it and gradually transition to all running. C25K I hear is great but I just when out and did my own thing. Go to a running store for shoes where they can look at your feet and running movement. Also keep up with the miles on a shoe, I replace mine between 350 and 450 miles. Get a running app to track your pace and miles, I use Runtastic. I have grown to love running and it is a cheap and convenient way for me to stay fit. I enter races but not to win, I do them for fun and motivation.2
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I just signed up for my 1st 5K for March (Color Run). I picked one that isn't time so I can walk it if I need to. I figure baby steps.2
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Park Run & Great Run Local, as far as I know they are across the UK. These are parks where runners meet every weekend, they are timed 2k & 5k runs, all the people are supportive, you ho at your own pace. See if you have one near you. Good luck & enjoy0
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I found a local running group in facebook groups and joined them one day. Now I'm training for my 3rd half marathon. I disliked running now I tend to enjoy it mostly.0
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I think the reason many hate running is because when you first start it is freaking hard. Your lungs hurt. Your legs hurt. You're slow and can't go very far. It really does suck. But.... If you stick with it for a few months you will find that it gets much easier. At some point you go from struggling to run a mile to having a conversation with a friend while you run 10 miles. That's the point where some get hooked.
Good luck.3 -
C25K, local running clubs, start slow - all great advice.0
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I went from practically nothing (a few weeks at the gym - 1-2 times a week) to showing up to my local Parkrun in December... it was a hard 5k, and I walked a lot of it - my first 5k time was 46 minutes or so, then week 2 I went again and improved it to 43 minutes, then 41, and now I'm at 40 minutes, hoping to beat it on Saturday but I'm recovering from injury so we'll see. I can't run the whole 5k, so I've started following the C25K plan to build up my endurance.0
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Wow!!! I hate that I don't get the notifications on these!!! Such great info. Thank yall.
To answer the question: "if you hate running why do it?" This is going to sound weird, but my I could feel my body craving for it while being on the treadmill. I'd want to go faster.. And faster... And suddenly I'm running at a friggin 8 and I feel great. I know 8 isn't very fasy but its faster than I've ever gone. So im extremely proud of it.
I ran every single day this week. Each day going an extra .5 mile. I got to 2.5 miles today and boy it was tough, but when I finished I felt AMAZING 0 -
I hate running too. I signed up for a 5k. I ran a bit before it to be sure I could run it all without walking. 2 minutes into the race I turned to my friend and said I would never run again. That was over two years ago. I pretty much never ran again. It sucks so much.0
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... 2 minutes into the race ...
I don't race 5Ks, coming up with a good for age group result is just too painful. And 2 minutes into any race is a pretty low point. The body hasn't really loosened up, the CV system isn't working effectively, and in a race it's likely to still be too congested to get a nice running rhythm going.
If you're going to go into a race without having trained for it, there's no surprise you wouldn't enjoy it.
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Totttiebuttx3 wrote: »I ran every single day this week.
Just a word of caution. For new runners, running every day is ill-advised. Your cardiovascular improvements will be rapid, but the other adaptations to running take longer to establish; cartilage thickening, joint strengthening etc. Running every day is an effective way of overtressing the biomechanical system and increasing your injury risk.
In the C25K group on here there are lots of examples of people who have essentially ignored the plan; run alternate days, moderate the pace, cross-train on non running days. Very few of them finish the plan, and many talk about injury.
So, a couple of principles to think about:- Run alternate days
- Avoid increasing your distance by more than 10% per week
- If you're doing different length runs then your long run should be no more than 30% of your weekly mileage
Personally I'm a marathon and ultra-runner. I don't run every day, I cross-train in the gym and on my bike.2 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »... 2 minutes into the race ...
I don't race 5Ks, coming up with a good for age group result is just too painful. And 2 minutes into any race is a pretty low point. The body hasn't really loosened up, the CV system isn't working effectively, and in a race it's likely to still be too congested to get a nice running rhythm going.
If you're going to go into a race without having trained for it, there's no surprise you wouldn't enjoy it.
I hate running anytime. Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't enjoy.-1 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »... 2 minutes into the race ...
I don't race 5Ks, coming up with a good for age group result is just too painful. And 2 minutes into any race is a pretty low point. The body hasn't really loosened up, the CV system isn't working effectively, and in a race it's likely to still be too congested to get a nice running rhythm going.
If you're going to go into a race without having trained for it, there's no surprise you wouldn't enjoy it.
I hate running anytime. Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't enjoy.
I'm sorry that you've chosen to interpret what I've said in that way.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »... 2 minutes into the race ...
I don't race 5Ks, coming up with a good for age group result is just too painful. And 2 minutes into any race is a pretty low point. The body hasn't really loosened up, the CV system isn't working effectively, and in a race it's likely to still be too congested to get a nice running rhythm going.
If you're going to go into a race without having trained for it, there's no surprise you wouldn't enjoy it.
I hate running anytime. Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't enjoy.
The poster did not tell you you should or should not enjoy it. Try reading more and emoting less.
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