5K This Weekend

mamabear272
mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have my first 5K this weekend. I am pretty freaked out about it. I am only on W5D1 of C25K and I haven't even run consistently for the 5 weeks. I started this in January then had surgery. Then picked up again then got sick. Then I just plain slacked. Last week my hubby ever so gently kicked me in the butt and I got back into it again. I went and joined a gym. I was using the gym at my school but I'm changing schools and won't have access to it. Plus the one I joined is closer to me.

Here are my issues. I have never run a mile let alone 3. I don't want to be the fattest person running! I think this is my biggest issue right now. There are going to be all these skinny people who always run and then there will be me...fat mom who can't even consistently run like she's supposed to! I like to put out there that I don't care what people think of me. If they don't like me then they can go away. It's not true. It's me putting on a big act. I do care what people think. I don't want to be judged for how I look and whether or not I can run the whole thing.

Even as I'm typing this, I think it's ridiculous. I know I shouldn't care what they think and I would tell any one of you to ignore everyone around you and just do your thang but for some reason I can't do that. Why? I don't know! My runners, can you share your experience with you first 5K? How do you keep those demons at bay?

Replies

  • court617
    court617 Posts: 65
    I have my first 5K this weekend. I am pretty freaked out about it. I am only on W5D1 of C25K and I haven't even run consistently for the 5 weeks. I started this in January then had surgery. Then picked up again then got sick. Then I just plain slacked. Last week my hubby ever so gently kicked me in the butt and I got back into it again. I went and joined a gym. I was using the gym at my school but I'm changing schools and won't have access to it. Plus the one I joined is closer to me.

    Here are my issues. I have never run a mile let alone 3. I don't want to be the fattest person running! I think this is my biggest issue right now. There are going to be all these skinny people who always run and then there will be me...fat mom who can't even consistently run like she's supposed to! I like to put out there that I don't care what people think of me. If they don't like me then they can go away. It's not true. It's me putting on a big act. I do care what people think. I don't want to be judged for how I look and whether or not I can run the whole thing.

    Even as I'm typing this, I think it's ridiculous. I know I shouldn't care what they think and I would tell any one of you to ignore everyone around you and just do your thang but for some reason I can't do that. Why? I don't know! My runners, can you share your experience with you first 5K? How do you keep those demons at bay?

    First off, don't think that getting freaked out is unheard of. I run 5Ks and other races pretty consistently and those nerves still pop up. It's a race. Even if you don't expect to come in first, it's still a race. There are still people watching you. That being said, do not think that you will be the only one there in your shoes either! I may run the entire 5K, but I also stand at the end and cheer on the people walking across the finish line 30-45 minutes after me. You don't have to run the whole thing. Run/walk it if you need to because I can guarantee you that there will be others doing the same exact thing. I've been at 10Ks and 15Ks where people are doing that too. No one will judge you for not running the whole thing. That's not necessarily the point. The point is to push yourself a little by getting out of your comfort zone. People will be there cheering for you whether you're sprinting or crawling. It's a fun experience. I think you'll really get addicted to that crossing the finish line feeling, regardless of the time it takes you to get there. And who knows, the motivation of being in a race could get you running more than you think you can. It's exciting!
  • chuckles217
    chuckles217 Posts: 123 Member
    I just ran my first 5k race last Saturday. Don't run it as a race, run it as a completion grade. The first place runner finished it in 16 minutes. There's no way to compete with that and I would have just beat myself into the ground. Instead I pushed myself harder than I had ever before and finished with a time of 27:23. A new personal record by over 3 minutes. I had just finished the 8 week c25k a week earlier and was averaging 33 minute 5ks. Nerves actually helped me because It forced my mind into the zone and I forgot about my bum knee or aching ankle and ran. It was quite liberating.

    Moral of the story, use the nerves to help you and not hinder you. Run for the run not the race. Enjoy the weather along the way and clear your mind.
  • mamabear272
    mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
    Thanks! I'm not looking at it as a race. I know I'm not crossing that line first and I don't care about that. I don't even know what I think. I am wondering if that's my biggest problem. Fear of the unknown. I just don't even want to go. I know my hubby would never let me pull that one though. LOL
  • JSheehy1965
    JSheehy1965 Posts: 404
    I'm gearing up for my first 5K in October, but my sister in law wants me to do one in June - I know I won't be ready, but she said she walked it last year due to an injury. A lot of people walk / run / walk and you won't be alone. Don't freak out. I think that in 5Ks everyone is there for their own goal. And if it's for charity, it's even better - you're taking part and that's what's the main thing. :) Have fun!!!
  • court617
    court617 Posts: 65
    Thanks! I'm not looking at it as a race. I know I'm not crossing that line first and I don't care about that. I don't even know what I think. I am wondering if that's my biggest problem. Fear of the unknown. I just don't even want to go. I know my hubby would never let me pull that one though. LOL

    Definitely go! You won't regret it! Honestly, the people that win these races are faster than I will ever be in my life and run the entire thing in less time it would take me to run 2 miles. Most people can't compete with that. It's pretty much just you against you out there. Take it as your own personal goal and workout, the only difference is the bib pinned to your shirt. There are people going to these things with no intention of running and people that will already be on their way back before you hit a mile. It's these crazy high school track stars that you usually see first! haha... but there are runners/walkers of every ability at most 5Ks.
  • Kirsty_UK
    Kirsty_UK Posts: 964 Member
    In all honesty, I think it will be unrealistic to expect to run it all in one stretch (not sure if you were aiming for that?). But I don't think that's a bad thing.

    I would set yourself up to do jog/walk intervals and DO NOT START OUT TOO FAST! run your own race, go at your pace. If you can gauge "this is how fast I normally jog" and stick with that, you'll do just fine :)

    I had my first a few weeks ago and I was terrified! I didn't manage to jog it all, but I completed it!
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    You'd be surprised--the crowd of runners might actually push you to do really well! I always run better with someone else than alone. Good luck!
  • mamabear272
    mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
    LOL Too funny! I'm certainly not a track star!

    And yes it is for a charity. It's for the Autism Society of NW Ohio. My son has Asperger's. I'll try to keep that in mind when I get out there. I still can't get rid of these butterflies though. UGH!
  • bussaca
    bussaca Posts: 22
    I have been running also - a friend of mine challenged me to raun a 5k every month in 2012 - easier said than done in Michigan.

    Since I hadn't run at all, I was also feeling the same feelings that you have. But, I just told myself that even if I came in last, I still was ahead of everyone who didn't even try!!! (And that seemed to help for me :)
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    LOL Too funny! I'm certainly not a track star!

    And yes it is for a charity. It's for the Autism Society of NW Ohio. My son has Asperger's. I'll try to keep that in mind when I get out there. I still can't get rid of these butterflies though. UGH!

    Then don't even think of it as a race. You're out there to raise money for your son.

    But DO think of it as fun. Get out there, set a pace you think you can maintain, then as you progress push yourself a little. You won't be first, but I bet you won't be last. I've been to fundraiser 5Ks where there's a "walkers" category. And there WILL be a grateful crowd at the end cheering the very last participant as loudly as they cheered the very first.

    It's a win-win. You get a good workout, and you're helping your son. It'll be fun! Do YOUR best and the rest will follow.
  • AmyLRed
    AmyLRed Posts: 856 Member
    stepping outside of your comfort zone is hard, but it is usually hugely rewarding! I remember walking into my first Zumba class, i sat in the parking lot and didnt want to get out of the car, worried i would be so fat and out of shape, they would laugh, i would fall, i am not coordinated, etc. Since then i have done several other things that really pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone. I hate doing it at the moment, but once i get going, its all good, and i feel so fantastic for having done it!
    Do the 5k, dont talk yourself out of it. Do the best you can, run what you can, fast walk the rest. Its ok! Then you have a starting point so you can work to beat your won time for the next one :happy:
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Definitely go and just try to enjoy being outside and being part of the event. I've done two 10k in the last two years - the 1st one, I walked the whole thing and the 2nd one I did a run/walk. My favorite part of the whole thing is the people watching. I listen in on conversationgs and sometimes chime in a little if they seem open to it. It's so much fun cheering everyone else on after you get to the end too.

    Think of the experience in more positive terms. Instead of being down on yourself, look at the others and use them as your motivation. Last year, there was this elderly couple that blew me away! I was rushing past them on my way in to the race to get signed up and then about an hour later, I saw them double back WAY before me, running like it was their job! That to me was hugely inpsiring.
  • mamabear272
    mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
    Thank you all for sharing. I don't know that I feel better about it but I do feel like I can do it. I think when I run today I'm going to to do my W5D1 and then walk my way up to 3 miles and see how long it takes me.
  • Kirsty_UK
    Kirsty_UK Posts: 964 Member
    Charity runs are the perfect environment for your first "race". I can guarantee you wont be the only one there that has never done the distance before. I expect some wont even set out to run it, but walk it all.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    One of the greatest fears most people will ever face is the fear of failure, but you can only fail if you try and every time you try you're one step closer to succeeding.

    Even if you have to walk the course I can tell you from personal experience that the feeling you get crossing that finish line is indescribably good.

    Self-conscious about being watched? You're doing it, the spectators aren't. At these events you will see walkers and runners of every age and shape and, as a runner and reformed couch potato, I can only assure you that the other runners hold all of the participants in high regard no matter what their individual ability may be.
  • mamabear272
    mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
    That's what I keep trying to tell myself, that at least I'm doing it. I went to the gym and I'm in a better mind set now. I will probably feel the same again tomorrow. LOL I just have to work through it.
  • mamabear272
    mamabear272 Posts: 268 Member
    I did it! It took me 49 minutes. I walked and jogged. I'm not used to running in the cold and I'm a little over half way through the c25k program. I'm happy with how it went. And I'm so glad I did it! I will definitely be doing more of this running thing. lol

Categories