I just signed up for a 5K... in 10 days. :/

Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but after a few 4th of July drinks, I was totally in. LOL Unfortunately, it is in just 10 days from now. I am not horribly out of shape, but I don't think I could even run a mile I do Muay Thai, but my cardio sucks. Help a girl out and let me know what you would do to prep and not look like a complete idiot.
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Replies

  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    girlinahat wrote: »
    Walk it.

    Maybe run a little, but plan to mix up the running with three miles of walk breaks.

    LOL! :D
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    Do it in run/walk intervals. No shame on walking the entire thing either
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    In 10 days there's not much you can do to improve your fitness. Walk it and have fun!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited July 2017
    In 10 days there's not much you can do to improve your fitness. Walk it and have fun!

    Yup...not really anything you can do to prep in 10 days.

    No shame in walking at all...I signed up for my first 5K before doing much running at all and was completely out of shape as I was just getting started with things...It was a Turkey Trot and all of my family was doing it, so I thought it would be fun. I'd be surprised if I actually ran a mile total...I walked most of it, but it was basically the starting point to getting my fitness on.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Start at the back of the pack. Be prepared to walk a lot. Have a great time!
  • Soccermavrick
    Soccermavrick Posts: 405 Member
    There will be plenty of walkers. But if you wanted to try to run, walk, run, every other day for the next 10 days, 1) to see how you do, 2) to get a feel for what you can do, 3) if you can determine your pace. You might surprise yourself. (Maybe you can only run a 1/2 mile, maybe you can make it a mile, maybe you will only be able to jog for a minute or two, which ever way, you get a feel for it ahead of time. But if you feel any discomfort back off.)

    Running is something I have always hated doing, but I need Cardio, and it is something. It is a matter of learning yourself, and what you can do, or pushing past what you thought that you could not do.

    Now I am not saying you can in 10 days go from the couch to placing first, but you can be better prepared. And to me, that sounded like what you were asking.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    I wouldn't do anything to prep.
    If you get too ambitious in the days leading up to the race, you'll likely end up sore or injured, which will be even worse than not prepping at all.

    Walk it, or do intervals on race day.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    agree with the folks that say walk it or some intervals - you could do like a :30 run/1 min walk interval or 1min run/2min walk
  • DebLaBounty
    DebLaBounty Posts: 1,169 Member
    Convince a friend to go with you. Walk together, talk the whole way, and you'll have had a nice visit doing a pleasant thing. I did this with a friend for our first 5K and we enjoyed it a lot. And no, we didn't do any training or prep of any kind beforehand. And if memory serves, there might have been beer afterwards.
  • Brabo_Grip
    Brabo_Grip Posts: 285 Member
    If you are training Muay Thai consistently, your cardio is probably better than you think it is. Go for it!
  • Brabo_Grip
    Brabo_Grip Posts: 285 Member
    MobyCarp wrote: »
    Brabo_Grip wrote: »
    If you are training Muay Thai consistently, your cardio is probably better than you think it is. Go for it!

    No, no, no! Trying to run 5K when your cardio is fine but your legs haven't been conditioned for running at all is asking for major soreness the next day, perhaps so bad that you can't walk normally. Been there, done that, had to get a real training program to be able to run the distance.

    She has ten days. So you are saying she should drop out? Or you can point her in the right direction as to what she needs to do to get ready for it?

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Brabo_Grip wrote: »
    MobyCarp wrote: »
    Brabo_Grip wrote: »
    If you are training Muay Thai consistently, your cardio is probably better than you think it is. Go for it!

    No, no, no! Trying to run 5K when your cardio is fine but your legs haven't been conditioned for running at all is asking for major soreness the next day, perhaps so bad that you can't walk normally. Been there, done that, had to get a real training program to be able to run the distance.

    She has ten days. So you are saying she should drop out? Or you can point her in the right direction as to what she needs to do to get ready for it?

    No people are saying either walk or do run/walk intervals.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    This is going to sound like I'm kidding, but the best 5k advice I've ever heard is...go to the bathroom when you get to the race location. If there are long lines, immediately turn around and get back in line again. There is nothing worse than getting all lined up and ready to go, then realizing you have to GO.

    Every 5k I've ever done has had lots of walkers and people doing intervals, so you'll be in good company either way. Start at the back of the pack and keep to the right. If you opt to run with headphones or earbuds, keep the volume on the lower side so you can hear the people around you. Most importantly, have fun!
  • JosephPulaski
    JosephPulaski Posts: 304 Member
    Run like the wind
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    You could do a couple of 1-2 mile training 'runs' (intervals) to see how you get on, I wouldn't try the whole 5k before the race.

    Have fun!
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    It's a 5k, not a marathon. I would think most any already active adult should be able to mostly run it, even if at a very slow pace. Jog a little now and see how it feels. Jog / Walk the event and have fun.
  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    Start c25k from zenlabs today. You will be up to a 90 seconds job followed by 2 min walk repeat for the whole race in 10 days.
    Then complete c25k and start doing this and next year do the same 5k and kill your time
  • sarahshinks2233
    sarahshinks2233 Posts: 55 Member
    Another vote for intervals. It will give you a starting point to work against, if you choose to continue running. For example, if you run it in 45 minutes, next time try for less than 40, and so on. There are typically two packs of runners at a 5k, the sub-25 minute folks and the over 30 minute folks. You will not be the only one doing intervals, its pretty common.

    Additionally, the endurance/stamina for martial arts and running are very different. I do Krav Maga, run, and yoga - each thing is different obviously - but just because I had been a runner didn't mean I could immediately spar for 2 minutes x 8-10 rounds or vice versa. With a positive attitude and some practice - progress is possible. Good luck!
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Enjoy a nice walk/slow jog. Go only as fast as you can while having a conversation with anyone near you. For you it's not a race, it's a group walk. If you aren't talking and smiling, you're going too fast.
  • despondentdelerium
    despondentdelerium Posts: 6 Member
    edited July 2017
    Good for you!!!

    I trained for my last one by walking a block, jogging a block, running a block, then repeat.
    (sometimes just stop sign to stop sign) and I'd do twice the distance of the 5k.
    Once in the morning, Once at night.

    A good warm up makes a huge difference, I like yoga, but it's different for everyone, just, a good, deep, full body stretch.
    I'd also heavily track your hydration, all week.
    Make sure you get your multivitamins and all that. It can make race day a lot smoother.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Good for you!!!

    I trained for my last one by walking a block, jogging a block, running a block, then repeat.
    (sometimes just stop sign to stop sign) and I'd do twice the distance of the 5k.
    Once in the morning, Once at night.

    A good warm up makes a huge difference, I like yoga, but it's different for everyone, just, a good, deep, full body stretch.
    I'd also heavily track your hydration, all week.
    Make sure you get your multivitamins and all that. It can make race day a lot smoother.

    i never stretch cold muscles prior to running... i walk to warm up then walk and stretch to cool down.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Run it like a bat out of hell... You only live once. Lol
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    Good for you. Things that scare us are the best motivator.
  • Brabo_Grip
    Brabo_Grip Posts: 285 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    It's a 5k, not a marathon. I would think most any already active adult should be able to mostly run it, even if at a very slow pace. Jog a little now and see how it feels. Jog / Walk the event and have fun.

    I'm with you and this was my point. It's 3.1 miles and people are acting like it's an ultra marathon over the Mohave Desert. I don't run. I hate running. I haven't run any distance over a mile in 10 years. However, a few months ago I had a friend ask me to go running with him. I am in good shape from training BJJ/MMA. First run we did 2.5 miles at a moderate-slow pace. My hamstrings were a little tight the next day, but otherwise I was fine. If she is training Muay Thai consistently, I can't imagine she won't be fine for 3.1 miles at reasonable pace.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    Nothing wrong with run/walk intervals. In fact, average pace will likely be better than someone who isn't conditioned for the distance trying to slog the entire thing. Most races will have people walking the entire thing unless they have a cutoff time preventing it; and pretty much every race will have people walking at least portions of it.

    At this point, you may be better off doing nothing to train. (Trying to start running training now will likely leave you sore AF and fatigued come race day and you'll be worse off than doing nothing). Also- yes, you will most likely be very, very sore the next day after the race (assuming you'll be running at least portions of it).
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Walk it or prepare for pain.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    ritzvin wrote: »
    Nothing wrong with run/walk intervals. In fact, average pace will likely be better than someone who isn't conditioned for the distance trying to slog the entire thing. Most races will have people walking the entire thing unless they have a cutoff time preventing it; and pretty much every race will have people walking at least portions of it.

    At this point, you may be better off doing nothing to train. (Trying to start running training now will likely leave you sore AF and fatigued come race day and you'll be worse off than doing nothing). Also- yes, you will most likely be very, very sore the next day after the race (assuming you'll be running at least portions of it).

    Although, you may want to go for a short run in advance if only to make sure your shoes/shorts/etc won't give you blisters/chafe/etc.