Looking for first 5k tips and advice!

Get some sweet beats to listen to while you run. Make sure you're eating enough to sustain your new running life. Maybe see if you can find a friend to do C25K with, so you can meet each day to run (less chance you'll skip it). Know it's ok if you don't progress exactly in line with the program. A couple of times I found one of the later runs really hard, or I had to stop. I just did that run again, until I could and kept going. Don't skip stretching, after years of running your body will thank-you for it. Have fun!

I love C25K. It's an eight-week program, so even if you need to repeat a day or two, or if you can't always get in the three run days per week, you have plenty of time to finish the program and run the whole 5k in October.

The most useful piece of running advice I got (and I needed people to repeat it a LOT before I believed it) is slow down. You may be able to walk faster than you can run at the beginning, and that's totally okay. Running is a gait, not a speed, so you need time to practice it as a new skill. Run as slowly as you need to in order for it to be (relatively) comfortable; speed naturally follows as you practice.

If you haven't yet, I'd strongly recommend going to a running store and getting fitted for new running shoes. When I was first doing C25K, I didn't believe how much of a difference new shoes would make in terms of how my knees/ankles/feet/hips felt after a run.

c25k will help with this, but don't be afraid to mix up walking and running. just keep moving, have fun, keep it up.

You will do great! You are right on track, seriously don't worry about your weight. You walk as fast as I do, and I am 124lbs and I run, so the next step for you is to just start running, little spurts and slow at first, but that's how we all started!

I agree with others, just open that app and try it out, it's a tiny step but I totally understand how it's a big deal/easy to procrastinate.

My tips for 5K in general/running:

Find a pair of comfortable shoes, make sure to ask the running store (please use a legit running store for quality shoes) about their return policy, because usually you won't know the shoes is painful until you have actually ran in it. -do not try to force it if they are painful-

High tempo songs that make me want to party are my favorite, no matter how tired I am I just plain can't walk to "shake your tail feather" it's a fact!

Have fun and don't take it too seriously, given the amount of time you have to train you are definitely going to be able to run it, but regardless, the best part about 5Ks is that they are so fun and no one is judging, in fact it's the opposite! If you are looking for a reminder that people are kind and good, run a 5K because literally every stranger is rooting for you, even when you are walking!

Oh and one last thing, if you are going to be running and training in heat do not underestimate the need to drink water/eat a balanced snack afterwards.

BrianSharpe wrote: »

If you follow the C25K plan diligently and consistently you will get to experience one the most awesome things around......crossing a race finish line for the first time (actually, the feeling never gets old....).

I'll warn you up front though.....5Ks are a gateway race.You do a few, your speed starts to improve and then your brain goes "that's not so bad....how about a 10K" then a half-marathon or triathlon and next thing you know you've subscribed to a running magazine and have a wall full of finishers medals.

Follow the plan, have fun & remember to smile for your finish line photo!

I still haven't mastered this.

This is so encouraging. I am also planning on my first 5K. I have been doing the C25K app and I have run into some issues with shin splints. I echo the recommendation on the shoes. I am currently 221 lbs and have enjoyed the C25K program so far. I am in the 2nd week after a few setbacks and my 5K is on September 24th. I am super nervous about it, but it is for a good cause.