I'm gonna do it, a 5k help!!!!

I haven't yet, but my first one is next weekend. I'm feeling that this will be my starting point to getting better. I'll have a baseline, and I can only improve on it from there. Good luck!

I'm on the couch to 5K program right now - my first 5K is on Oct. 29. My only goal for it right now is to run it all the way and to finish strong. Go for it, and I wish you luck!

I love 5k's!! I did my first one in April 2010. I did a whole bunch more after that... then earlier this year, I tried a 10k. Then last weekend, I ran my first half marathon! Whoo hoo! I really enjoy it. There is just something about being able to slap on my sneakers and go for a run outside and enjoy the birds twittering in the trees... and now, I smell ripe grapes outside. I can do it on vacation.

Anyways... 5k are fun! It is a fun distance to do.

In my "other life" I used to do a lot of races. Of course, I was nervous at first, but that wore off. HAVE FUN. It's such a rewarding experience when you cross that line. Then you can wear the shirt with pride. Wear your number AND do it for yourself. I look forward to reading about it after the run. You will do great, and most likely get hooked. I hope you keep us informed. :happy:

Running my first 5K since having my baby (2 years ago) in October. I'm not quite at the point I can run all of it, but I'm working on it. It's my goal to finish without stopping to walk!

Congrats. You will feel a great sense of pride once finished. Take everything in and enjoy the journey. Each step gets easier.

I'm on the couch to 5K program right now - my first 5K is on Oct. 29. My only goal for it right now is to run it all the way and to finish strong. Go for it, and I wish you luck!

Thanks... May I ask how did you lose 32 pounds so far?

I'm flattered you asked!

I've lost this weight by:
1. Being obsessively accurate in recording my calories on MFP (I NEVER realized how much of an issue I had with portion control!) and measuring my portions (investing 20 bucks in a good food scale has been the best decision I've made).
2. Sticking to my alloted calories daily.
3. Forcing myself to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. I've gone from forcing myself to exercise to being grumpy on days I DON'T exercise.
4. Weighing in only once a week so I don't get crazy over it.
5. Realizing it was time a little over 90 days ago and committing myself to the journey. Sounds a little New Age, I know, but I've seesawed up and down over the last 10 years and I haven't had this much success in the past -- now I'm 100% committed to it.

Don't know if that helps or not, but it's how I've done it. It was nice of you to ask -- thank you!

Just keep in mind it's only 3.1 miles and if you're fit, it isn't that far to go. It's "official," which can make it intimidating, but it's still only 3.1 miles!

Go for it.

And if you have to walk some, that's OK. It's not unusual for people to walk a little bit during races.

I posted a topic about this last week, and a kind person shared this link with me for some helpful tips to prepare

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/279198-running-tip-so-you-are-about-to-do-your-first-race?hl=running+tips


I'm running my first 5K a week from this Sunday, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!!

It sounds like C25K is a great approach that works for a lot of people. I'm taking a slightly different tack, and maybe it will be of interest to somebody.

I'm a very comfort-oriented person, and I love food. So for 30 years I've been avoiding diet and exercise, because I always assumed that either one would involve lots of pain and sacrifice. In the realm of diet, I was completely ignorant of calories, carbohydrates, and a lot of the most basic nutritional info. Tracking calories, cutting back on junk carbs, and learning to be mindful of "boredom snacking" and portion size has been working great so far : no need for hardship and suffering.

I wanted to take the same approach with exercise. I was a runner (jogger) in high school, 30 years ago, and I remember mostly hating it. I'm certainly in no mood to force myself to endure THAT again. So I decided just to try walking. Just a little bit at first; maybe 15 minutes a day. I always assumed that such a small amount wouldn't matter at all, but I was very surprised at how quickly I began to feel some muscles firming up and my heart rate and breathing staying lower. And my body felt better, and I had more energy. (All that BS they tell you about exercise...) The best part was that there was no pain or unpleasantness, and I never felt any hesitation about getting up and going out for a walk. So I made my walks a little more regular (walking 1 mile to work each day) and just kept upping the pace a little bit at a time, but only when it felt good.

Around that time I discovered that a local pub sponsors a "running club." They have an informal 5k every Tuesday night after work and several hundreds of people show up, many with kids and dogs in tow. So I started doing this, but only walking. My last time for a walking-only 5k was 45 minutes, including a few stoplights. I actually passed a jogger or two.

But I recently realized that I was at kind of a dead end : this pace is really as fast as I can move my legs with a walking motion. Sure I'm still burning calories and having fun, but if I want to up my heart rate a little, I'm out of options.

Unless I run.

So what I started doing is walking briskly like normal, but once I'm good and warmed up I'll let myself fall into a run. In some ways it almost feels easier, since I don't have to try quite so hard to move my legs as fast. Since my aerobic capacity is still pretty low, it doesn't take long before I feel the old ticker hammering away and my breathing getting heavy. As soon as it feels the slightest bit unpleasant (more exercise than I want) I go back to a walk.

I didn't measure anything, but I'd say the running intervals this week were only 30-50 yards each. When I am running, I try to pay super-careful attention to my form; good form is important to avoid injury and develop a comfortable, sustainable, efficient way of running. After I return to a walk, I pay attention to how my body feels. What parts have I over-used or mis-used ? Note to self : "Don't do that next time !"

Anyway, it sounds like an informal version of C25k, but the approach I'm taking is a little backward. For one, I'm *already* doing a 5k every week, and enjoying it. And I'm not using the walking to "make up for" my inability to run the whole way; I'm using the running to add to the effectiveness of my walking exercise. As long as I can go out and get my heart rate up to a level I find enjoyable and not inflict pain on my body, I'm already "there". If it turns out that I *have* to run the whole way to get a fun workout, in a way it will be kind of sad : I always promised myself I would never be a runner again !