We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

A 5k per Month?

brittanydaniel79
brittanydaniel79 Posts: 226
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone,

For a beginner, is it appropriate to run a 5k every month?

I've got one lined up for the end of this month, and I would like to do one at the end of October as well.

Right now I can run 2.4 miles in 34 minutes and I hope by the end of the month, I can run 3 miles in at most 40 minutes.

Would it be safe to assume that I can do both these races?

Thanks!

Replies

  • yanicka
    yanicka Posts: 1,004 Member
    Sure, for my cardio, I run a 5K many times a week. So doing 1 race a month is not a problem.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    5Ks are not that stressful. No reason why you can't do 1 (or more) per month).
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    Definitely!
  • carrie1128
    carrie1128 Posts: 267 Member
    During running season here (March-November) we do more probably 2, sometimes 3 a month. It just gets expensive though. ;)
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    I do one every week!
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    It's not too many! Go for it!
  • SouthernCityChic
    SouthernCityChic Posts: 119 Member
    Go for it!!
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    I just graduated from the C25K program and I'm running 5k 2/3 times a week as my normal run now. I'm going to work on the bridge to 10K soon too!
  • I am doing a 5K every week in September, and 3 in October. I also did one the last weekend of August. Of course I am a walker, not a runner. If you are already in the shape you are in, there is not reason why you cannot do a 5K a month. I have a friend who is a runner, and she does a 5K every month and a half marathon in April.
    Go Runner!!
  • luv_lea
    luv_lea Posts: 1,094 Member
    I don't see why not....Go for it!!
  • StaceyL76
    StaceyL76 Posts: 711 Member
    I'd say you could.
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    I think you'll have no problem with it...but really, asking the group isn't going to help much since everyone is at a different fitness level. Your own body will tell you if something is too much. Saying this, I suspect you will recover in time to do a 5K every week if you wanted to.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    You're just going to need to clean out a dresser drawer for all the t-shirts. :wink:
  • Sweet13_Princess
    Sweet13_Princess Posts: 1,207 Member
    Sounds like fun and a great motivation to me! Plus, since you have to spend a little to be involved in a 5K, there's accountability for you to continue training!:-)

    Shannon
  • Awesome, thanks everyone! I just signed up for one at the end of October! Ya'll are great!
  • I think you'll have no problem with it...but really, asking the group isn't going to help much since everyone is at a different fitness level. Your own body will tell you if something is too much. Saying this, I suspect you will recover in time to do a 5K every week if you wanted to.

    Thanks for this! I will see how my body feels after a 5k run prior to the races and see how long it takes to recover.
  • zebra1965
    zebra1965 Posts: 17 Member
    My 1st 5k is in 2 weeks. I was told by an avid runner to limit races to one per month until you see how your body reacts after a race. I'm a beginner, just up to 3 miles, so I don't want to overdo anything and injure myself. But...I did already book Oct-Nov-Dec races so I'm motivated to stick with it. Then next spring I'll reevaluate to see if I want to race more often. Good luck!!
  • ukhennin
    ukhennin Posts: 221 Member
    It only took me a couple days to fully recover from my first 5k last month. I wouldn't worry about it at all. And for what it's worth, I bet you beat the 40 minute mark easily based on what you're running now. You'll be surprised how being around others in a race setting will pull you through.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    No problem. After you get a couple under your belt, then consider a 10K and then on to the ulimate gateway drug, a half marathon.
This discussion has been closed.