Very Scared!! (first 5k)
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Great advice by all - just finish and don't worry about others.
If it helps though, at most of the 5Ks I run, the very last place times are usually 55+ minutes from the walkers. If you break this down, it is walking at almost a 20 minute mile, which is about a speed of "3" on a treadmill. If you can get on a treadmill and walk at a speed of "4", you will finish in a little over 45 minutes. If you run at a speed of "5", you will finish in 38-39 minutes or so. If you finish in 38-39 minutes, you will definitely be in the middle of the pack at most races.
Go out and run and enjoy it!!! As everyone else has said, at least you are out there doing a 5K! Runners are one big family - I really enjoy standing at the finish line and cheering people on. I love hearing the stories of how it is their first 5K and they are so thrilled with their run. Just pass it on - cheer on those behind you!!!
Greg0 -
I know EXACTLY how you feel!! My first is April 28th and is an obstacle 5K!!! I believe i will be ok if A) I don't die
if I am not dead last and C) if I could only come in before just one person younger than me!!! 
I have been doing couch to 5K and it is excellent!!! Good Luck!!! And wish for me some too!!! 0 -
ok, its not my first 5k, its my first running the whole thing. I decided last min to do it. and I am very scared I will be the last one to cross the finish line, and that I won't be able to run the whole thing... my tummy is turning just thinking about it... I am scared I will be really slow, (which I am, I only run about 15 min mile avg) but I am scared I will be even slower than that... But I am gonna do it, and be proud...
I just took out my crystal ball, and here is my prediction: Despite your fears, you will run a good race and come in in the middle of the pack. There will be lots of people in front of you. There will be a bunch of people behind you. You may or may not need to walk part of it. Don't stress so much about it - run as much of it as you can - it will be more than you have done in the past. You will notice that there are lots of other pople who are walking parts of it too, so if you do walk for a bit, you will not feel alone. But chances are, once the adrenaline kicks in, you'll be able to keep up with the running, as long as you don't try to go too fast. Finally, you will have such a good time, you will think back and say "What the heck was I ever scared about? And, when can I sign up for my next race so I can beat my time in this one?"
Just relax and have a great time! And be proud of yourself that you're out there running a race when 99% of the population is still home in bed :-)0 -
Thank you very much everyone, still real nervous, as the time gets closer... but at least I know I am not alone!! you all RULE0
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I don't recall the last race I did for which I wasn't nervous/scared. Just keep at it, run smart and you'll get to the finish line.0
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You will be fine! I was that way with my first one but once I started running I loved it!
This.....
You will be nervous and jittery at the start.... everyone is!!! But once you get started... that will all go away.... Just focus on going at a nice pace. And if you get alittle tired just slow up some... You will be surprised how well u do at the end of it.... Remember the goal is to Finish... if that means Run it... Jog it... or walk it. You will be doing alot better than people who aren't even attempting it at all.
Good Luck... Cheering ya on!0 -
It's natural to be nervous/scared before a race. I always am and then when I'm at the starting line waiting for the gun to go off I'm wicked jittery. It's a combination of scared/nervous/excited. You'll be fine!!
As for having to walk: Who cares? Lots of people have to stop and walk so you won't be alone. Since this is your first race just DO it. Don't worry about how long it takes or if you're the last person to cross the line which my guess is you won't be.
Good for you for signing up and doing it and good luck! You'll do awesome!0 -
Relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience and accomplishment. And remember, you will not be last. The people sitting at home and not doing anything are all way behind you!
Love this --- particularly the last part. That is so true!
Something good for all of us to remember, I think!
I started out with my first 3K a couple years ago. A friend talked me into trying it and honestly, I didn't do much to get ready for it. Everyone is right, though ... when race day comes, there's so much excitement that it will definitely inspire you to keep 'digging deep.' You'll see the people in front of you and think, I can catch him/her ... then you'll get there, see the next person and think the same thing ... and it really keeps you going. In the end of my first 3K I totally surprised myself and ended up placing in the top 3 for my age group --- and I admit, I even walked a bit in between.
Best of all, though, is the feeling you get at the end that YOU DID IT!
Best of luck and HAVE FUN! I'm sure you'll do fabulous!0 -
ok, its not my first 5k, its my first running the whole thing. I decided last min to do it. and I am very scared I will be the last one to cross the finish line, and that I won't be able to run the whole thing... my tummy is turning just thinking about it... I am scared I will be really slow, (which I am, I only run about 15 min mile avg) but I am scared I will be even slower than that... But I am gonna do it, and be proud...
dont worry i was the last to cross one time.. the only reason is that i walked with someone at a slow pace because they was hurt and it took over 1.5 hrs i think maybe more.. doesnt matter the beer and burgers after got me in a good mood! unless you crawl you will not be last0 -
and hey its not like everyone gets to say hey i was last! like me.. LOL I got that person to the finish line with me..0
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I run 10 miles at a time and I still get nervous at a 5k. No matter where you come in place, if you give it your all, you will have something to feel really proud of... and others will be proud of you too. The running community is not one to say "oh, hah, look at that sucker coming in last"... we cheer on and are proud of all. Kick some butt and enjoy it! 0
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Relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience and accomplishment. And remember, you will not be last. The people sitting at home and not doing anything are all way behind you!
^^THIS!
Good luck, you'll do great! :flowerforyou:0 -
Go out and have fun, the chances of you being last are slim.0
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You WONT BE ALONE for sure!!!! I, for example will think about you all that time and will be JEALOUS that I can not do it but YOU CAN!!!Thank you very much everyone, still real nervous, as the time gets closer... but at least I know I am not alone!! you all RULE
Even if you will be last at the end, who cares!!!! BE PROUD that you will do it, dont think about the time now!!!
sending you hugs!!0 -
I'm doing my first in a REALLY long time 5k tomorrow morning!! This is also the first 5k that I've prepared for and I have a lofty goal of running the entire thing.
I've done them before, so I know the drill but I'm still nervous.
We can be nervous and accomplished together!! The excitement did set in when I picked up my race packet a few hours ago. :bigsmile:0 -
Thank you everyone for your support, I ran every step of it!! And I ran it in 39.37 so that makes it about 12.50 mile, I am so happy, and a little proud!!0
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You should be proud! That is awesome, congratulations! You rock! 0
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Thank you everyone for your support, I ran every step of it!! And I ran it in 39.37 so that makes it about 12.50 mile, I am so happy, and a little proud!!
wtg! Now you have set a baseline so you will have to do another haha! Gotcha 0 -
Congratulations, I have completed 5k, 10k, 15k and am training for a half marathon. A friend of mine gave me a great piece of advice before I started competing. She said just remember there will always be someone in front of you, someone behind you, but the most important thing to remember is it is about you, not anyone else.0
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Way to get it done. That's nearly six minutes faster than you thought you were going to run.Thank you everyone for your support, I ran every step of it!! And I ran it in 39.37 so that makes it about 12.50 mile, I am so happy, and a little proud!!0 -
I was scared my first 5k too..I ran most..but ended up walking some too. My time wasn't the greatest but I DID IT! I find great inspiration from this saying..
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Way to get it done. That's nearly six minutes faster than you thought you were going to run.Thank you everyone for your support, I ran every step of it!! And I ran it in 39.37 so that makes it about 12.50 mile, I am so happy, and a little proud!!
Yes, congratulations - well done! I bet you were not last either!!! :happy:0 -
ok, its not my first 5k, its my first running the whole thing. I decided last min to do it. and I am very scared I will be the last one to cross the finish line, and that I won't be able to run the whole thing... my tummy is turning just thinking about it... I am scared I will be really slow, (which I am, I only run about 15 min mile avg) but I am scared I will be even slower than that... But I am gonna do it, and be proud...
The second 5K I ever did, I ran the whole thing. And came in LAST. Dead last (it was a VERY small group of people running). But, you know what? I ran the whole thing, I challenged myself, I beat my first 5K time (at 33 minutes), and I felt fantastic. And then, because the 5K was really small, I was the only one in my age group and got a first place medal for my age group (which was FUNNY, and I just grinned like crazy because I felt like I did a good job anyway even though I was last). Just do your best, don't compare yourself to others. As you run more, it will get easier and easier (I went from barely being able to run for 30 seconds last summer to being able to run 10 miles now and am training for my first half marathon this summer). So hang in there and don't be nervous!!
This is me from November last year, at the race where I came in last:
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Thank you everyone for your support, I ran every step of it!! And I ran it in 39.37 so that makes it about 12.50 mile, I am so happy, and a little proud!!
Great job!!0 -
Well done! You did an amazing job. I'm very impressed.0
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