Running my 1st 5k, any tips?

sent4rmabove23
sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi guys,

I decided to run my first 5k and I'm super excited! I have 8 weeks to train for it, any tips from people who have ran 5k's? How do you prepare yourself?

http://www.mch5k.com/

Eager to hear from all of you!

:heart:
Alma

Replies

  • horndave
    horndave Posts: 565
    One foot in front of the other at a pace you feel comfortable at. As far as training up to it. Work your way up to the distance add a mile to it and have fun.
  • missxlaur
    missxlaur Posts: 286
    i'm running my first 5k at the end of august! i've been doing the c25k plan and I LOVE IT. i just finished week 6 and i can already run 25 minutes straight--almost 3 miles! i never thought i'd get there but the plan is phenomenal.
  • shaverkl191
    shaverkl191 Posts: 131
    If you need to stop a couple of times to walk, don't feel bad about it. I find during the races that I take one or two walk breaks I end with a better time anyways!
  • AlisonMacKay
    AlisonMacKay Posts: 112
    If you aren't a runner I would suggest the c25K but you don't have enough time for all 9 weeks. If you started at like wk3 you'd be ok. I ran my first 5K last month. The best tips I got were to chew gum (help with dry mouth when running), and run your own race. When you have lots of others running it's hard to not try to keep up with them but if they are faster then you, you will burn out in the first mile. Go your own pace and be proud when you cross that finish line.
  • slybaby
    slybaby Posts: 125
    Have fun and savor the moment when you'll cross the finish line...it's a rush!
    Make sure to give a thumbs-up to the strangers who scream at you ''Doing a great job!!!'' It makes me smile:)
  • marnijojo
    marnijojo Posts: 235 Member
    I am fairly new to running and have only done two 5k's and one 10k. I know they say you don't have to train to the entire distance, but I ran a few 3.1 miles before my first, just to prove to myself that I could do it. Second....don't worry about speed...especially in the 5k, just finish!! Good luck.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Definitely look up C25K, it's been so successful for so many people!

    I've assembled all my beginner runner's tips in "20 things I wish I’d known about running when I started":
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

    The most important of these is, "When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER! "

    You'll get there, good luck and let us know how you get on!
  • PJS323
    PJS323 Posts: 115
    Eat a really good breakfast at least 1 hour before. Stretch, and try to relax. My best advice is to not stop @ all. Your legs will feel like cinder blocks. If you have to go very slow, almost a turtle pace do it. My first 5k I stopped & walked for 2 mins, & I thought I would die. I've done 6 since, and I'd rather run slow, then walk. It's so hard to get back to it. Plus make a really motivating music playlist. Good luck- I'm sure you'll do great!!!! Congrats!!!
  • BifDiehl
    BifDiehl Posts: 474
    Read this great post:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/266518-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race
  • ooOOooGravy
    ooOOooGravy Posts: 476 Member
    Hi i dont know your level of fitness but im in the same boat and im starting the Couch to 5K program (C25K) 9 week program that gets you from being a sitting fanatic (like me) to running continuosly for 5k.

    i want to do the next great north run and i think this program is going to be great to start me off, as it builds you up and allows you to learn what your pace is so you dont burn out, and also progresses you to speeding up (going further in better times etc.

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    lots of people have done and are doing it on here and swears buy it.

    I got my trainers last night, got my watch, and my chart printed off and starting tonight. i already do about 20 to 50 mins a night on stationary bike so hopefully that will sit me in good stead for this.

    really looking forawrd to it as iv enjoyed running in that past.

    anyway best of luck on your 5k run! :)

    add me if you like and keep tabs on progress if you like
  • sche1amy
    sche1amy Posts: 86 Member
    I ran my first one last September and will be running it again thie September. I started out one mile at a time. I would bump it up when comfortable. And before I knew it I accidently set treadmill for a 5 mile run, lol! I did it and thought WTF is going on...why is this taking so long. Then when done it showed I ran 5.5 miles :0) Very proud to say I ran the 5k without stopping. this year I will be trying to beat my time from last year.
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    i'm running my first 5k at the end of august! i've been doing the c25k plan and I LOVE IT. i just finished week 6 and i can already run 25 minutes straight--almost 3 miles! i never thought i'd get there but the plan is phenomenal.

    Awesome, I'm going to look into that plan. I wanted to start training next week... I'm so excited and even more excited that it's for a good cause :smile: Good luck on your first 5k - I am going to add you as a friend because I definitely want to see how it goes for you.
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    I ran my first one last September and will be running it again thie September. I started out one mile at a time. I would bump it up when comfortable. And before I knew it I accidently set treadmill for a 5 mile run, lol! I did it and thought WTF is going on...why is this taking so long. Then when done it showed I ran 5.5 miles :0) Very proud to say I ran the 5k without stopping. this year I will be trying to beat my time from last year.

    lol, thats is so freaking awesome, congrats!
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    Hi i dont know your level of fitness but im in the same boat and im starting the Couch to 5K program (C25K) 9 week program that gets you from being a sitting fanatic (like me) to running continuosly for 5k.

    i want to do the next great north run and i think this program is going to be great to start me off, as it builds you up and allows you to learn what your pace is so you dont burn out, and also progresses you to speeding up (going further in better times etc.

    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    lots of people have done and are doing it on here and swears buy it.

    I got my trainers last night, got my watch, and my chart printed off and starting tonight. i already do about 20 to 50 mins a night on stationary bike so hopefully that will sit me in good stead for this.

    really looking forawrd to it as iv enjoyed running in that past.

    anyway best of luck on your 5k run! :)

    add me if you like and keep tabs on progress if you like

    Hi, you're the 2nd person that told me about this C25K plan, I definitely have to check it out! Right now, I weight train 3x a week and spin 3x a week on the same days (Mon, Wed & Fri). Weight training in the am and spinning at night - I'm so excited about starting to run Ive read about the runner's high and I want to experience that
  • TheGoktor
    TheGoktor Posts: 1,138 Member
    Eat a really good breakfast at least 1 hour before.

    I would actually experiment with this before the race! Reason being because I have discovered that if I eat more than half a banana before a run, even an hour or two beforehand, it makes me feel really sluggish and nauseous. I know that some schools of thought say make sure you fuel your body beforehand but for me this just doesn't work. By the time I'm ready to do a half marathon, I may feel differently but just for 5k, I (as in me!) wouldn't bother with eating beforehand.
    Stretch, and try to relax. My best advice is to not stop @ all. Your legs will feel like cinder blocks. If you have to go very slow, almost a turtle pace do it.

    Definitely stretch beforehand! I do 20-30 mins of cardio before a run now, plus some stretching, and I find it really helps to loosen and warm me up, and lessens the 'toxic 10'. Might not work for anyone else of course!

    I agree with the not stopping; I've found that on 25 minute runs, stopping is counter-productive because my legs just ache even more when I resume running. Since doing cardio before going out however, I have found that my legs don't get nearly so tired!
    Plus make a really motivating music playlist.

    Definitely! I'd be lost without mine!

    I hope everything goes really well for you - do let us know how you get on!

    ETA: I'm another advocate for C25K! If you're interested in my first week, I have a blog post here:

    http://icanyoucanwecan-blog.blogspot.com/2011/07/c25k-week-1-not-quite-ready-to-engage.html
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    Read this great post:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/266518-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race

    Thanks!
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    Have fun and savor the moment when you'll cross the finish line...it's a rush!
    Make sure to give a thumbs-up to the strangers who scream at you ''Doing a great job!!!'' It makes me smile:)

    Awww, can't wait - you guys are getting me too excited!
  • sent4rmabove23
    sent4rmabove23 Posts: 148
    I wanted to thank ALL of you for the great advice and tips! Can't wait! The run is in 8 weeks so I'll definitely look into the C25K plan. Thanks and all the best to everyone :smile:
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