First 5K-What is/was your time goal?

julieh391
julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
edited December 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Right now I'm not a runner by any stretch of the imagination. I started a C25K program this week and am feeling really good about it. So good in fact that I told a runner (like, SERIOUS runner) friend of mine about it, and now she wants to run one together. She will actually be super encouraging and supportive, and I'm really excited to do this with her. :) I'm just wondering what a healthy goal is for a first 5K. I was always an athletic person before gaining weight during/after having my babies, but I've never been a distance runner (never really tried.) Now I'm 5'7" 216lbs and trying to get fit again. Suggestions? Recommendations? Thanks!
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Replies

  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    My first 5k goal was to cross the finish line having run the whole thing. That's all I needed in order to be proud of myself :smile:

    Edit: My time was 43:14, which I don't think was that bad for having only been running a month without having run in 10 years.
  • BigMike915
    BigMike915 Posts: 112 Member
    I have yet to run a official 5k. I just started training for one about two weeks ago. I was never a runner, my belief was, don't run unless something is chasing me. Recently though I have decided to start trying and so far I enjoy it, although I suck at it now and I'm very slow. But progress is coming along nicely. My very first unofficial time was three days ago at, 37:04. My goal is to reach under 30:00 before I enter my first official race, and be able to run the whole thing.
  • ThisCanadian
    ThisCanadian Posts: 1,086 Member
    I would give yourself 3 or 4 months of training to run a 5k in 30 minutes.
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    For your first 5k, set a goal to finish, enjoy it, and feel good about yourself. Don't even worry about the time. Once you've completed your first, you can focus on improving your time for the next one, if you are so inclined.

    But, if it helps.....my first was like 39 minutes. And I know many others who did their first in less time than that, and more time than that. Really, don't worry about the time. My goal for that first one was to finish without walking.
  • heytherestephy
    heytherestephy Posts: 356 Member
    I'm running my first 5k on June 2nd and my goal is to finish having run the entire thing haha. Ideally around 40 minutes.
  • Katschau
    Katschau Posts: 6 Member
    I am a runner now, but will never be fast. My first 5k in oct 2011 was 34:48. I trained all winter and am now around 32:00. I don't let it bother me that I am slow and cannot get under 30:00. I feel happy that 1 year ago I could not run and now I can do up to 10k. Do what is best for your age and body.
  • realrayne10
    realrayne10 Posts: 388 Member
    I ran my first 5K two days after completing C25K. My goal was to run the whole thing and if I finished in under 40 minutes that would be a bonus. I ended up finishing in 33:43 running the whole time.

    Good luck!
  • XxXHillaryXxX
    XxXHillaryXxX Posts: 32 Member
    Mine was 28 minutes & blah blah blah seconds (I forget).
  • annameier8706
    annameier8706 Posts: 417 Member
    My goal for my first 5k was to finish in 30minutes. I ended up finishing at 29:19 :smile:
  • debstanley4
    debstanley4 Posts: 208 Member
    Well mine was last saturday finished in 50:03. I didn't run the whole thing but did most. I am just finishing week 8 today. Hope to do my second on July4 and run the whole thing.
  • carrietehbear
    carrietehbear Posts: 384 Member
    I finished my first 5k in 45 minutes. I walked most of it because I was slacking off a month before the race. My goal was to not be the last one to cross the finish line!
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    For your first 5k, set a goal to finish, enjoy it, and feel good about yourself. Don't even worry about the time. Once you've completed your first, you can focus on improving your time for the next one, if you are so inclined.

    But, if it helps.....my first was like 39 minutes. And I know many others who did their first in less time than that, and more time than that. Really, don't worry about the time.

    ^^^^ This is the correct answer!^^^^^

    I just finished my first 5k last Saturday, my time was 35:39. Initially, my goal was to run it in under 30 minutes but I found out that it's kinda better to pick a goal after you at start running a little. :wink: The 30 minute goal just sounded good and doable - which it is for some people, at the time. I've never been a runner so I really had no idea what to expect. Do your training, have fun, and you will feel great when you are done!

    No matter what your time is, you will have accomplished something you have never done before!

    Good luck!
  • agsfirst5k
    agsfirst5k Posts: 1
    I've been training for my first 5k now for 8 weeks....am very nervous about finishing as the race is 1 week away. Haven't run a full 5k yet...longest being 2.5 miles.....will be with friends and if I end up walking then so be it...just want to experience it and will shoot for another date in the near future if things dont' work out.
  • Temple_Fit
    Temple_Fit Posts: 299 Member
    I would give yourself 3 or 4 months of training to run a 5k in 30 minutes.

    I agree with this comment. I started running Jan of this yr and ran my first 5k in April. My goal was to run the entire race and to come in around 35 min. I ran the entire race and my time was 37:33. I place over all 81st, and was only 1.:27 from placing 3rd in my age group. I was pretty happy. Now I am practicing for a 10k.
  • 6strong
    6strong Posts: 3 Member
    I ran/walked my first 5k @ 245 pounds and finished it in 51:15. Now that I've lost some weight and have been working on my health, I will be doing my second 5k June 23. Can't wait to see how I've progressed. I like the idea of enjoying your first one and building from there... essentially that's what I'll be doing! Good luck! :)
  • joyzy
    joyzy Posts: 97 Member
    For your first 5k, set a goal to finish, enjoy it, and feel good about yourself. Don't even worry about the time. Once you've completed your first, you can focus on improving your time for the next one, if you are so inclined.

    ^^^^ This is the correct answer!^^^^^

    Ditto!!



    I started cardio training (elliptical, biking, walking, with minimal jogging) in September 2011. Began running in February 2012. I ran my first 5k race in April in 34:14. I did another three weeks later which was a more difficult course, in 34:20. I'm running one this weekend and I'd be pleased with a time under 34. I train daily.
  • sugarsquare
    sugarsquare Posts: 60 Member
    My goal was just to finish and run the whole thing no walking. I finished in 39 minutes. My legs were super stiff that day and it was very hard to run. I did this last May and I have another May 26th. I did the C25K again since I stopped running back in Sept. I just finished week 8 and am still not quite at 3.1 miles, but I ran 2.72 in 30 minutes day before yesterday so a definite improvement in time so far.
  • JillSandm
    JillSandm Posts: 52 Member
    My first 5k is coming up on June 23rd. I've just started the C25K, but had been running 1.25 miles three times per week for the last month. My goal for June 23rd is 31:00 (10-minute-mile), and today I made it 2.56 miles in 31 minutes. I'm pretty confident that I will be able to make my time goal. The biggest thing for me will be actually running outside - I love my nice, flat treadmill that tells me how fast I'm going (and how fast the time is going)!
  • 416runner
    416runner Posts: 159
    My first 5K was 30:24 but I agree with everyone who said that on your first race, finishing upright and smiling should be your goal. That's the approach I take everytime I take on a new distance. Good luck with it!
  • BeetleChe13
    BeetleChe13 Posts: 498 Member
    Wow. I feel so much slower. I just ran my first unofficial 5k a week ago. Finished in 44:39 and was happy til I read this thread. I'm going to take everyone's advice and quit comparing my speed to everyone else.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    For your first 5k, set a goal to finish, enjoy it, and feel good about yourself. Don't even worry about the time.

    This^^^^

    Relax and enjoy the race, just remember to smile as you cross the finish line (I always look like I've been stabbed in race photos :happy: )
    Wow. I feel so much slower. I just ran my first unofficial 5k a week ago. Finished in 44:39 and was happy til I read this thread. I'm going to take everyone's advice and quit comparing my speed to everyone else.

    You should still be happy & proud of your accomplishment. If you want to improve your speed keep running on a consistent basis. My first 5K was just under 40 min (chip time) a year later I ran the same race in 26:46, it's all about progressive training and a positive attitude.
  • MauC25K
    MauC25K Posts: 40 Member
    My first 5K was 2 years ago. Goal was to finish, run the whole time and do it under 40. I did everything except finished at 42. Still a success. I now do them in about 30 minutes and have even done a half marathon. I'm still slow, but I'm doing it and love it. C25K really changed me. Good luck!
  • DG_Allen
    DG_Allen Posts: 219 Member
    I did mine in 27 minutes but I KILLED myself. Major pain for 10 days after.

    I think a better goal is to run at a good pace for you for the whole race and to finish strong. I'm no expert, but that's how races are run.

    My last 5k a couple weeks ago I was shocked at how many people darted off the start line and passed me and then about 10 minutes later I was passing them as they walked and were out of breath.
  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    For my first 5K, my goal was to run the whole thing and finish in under 40 minutes. I was in week 8 of C25K when I ran that first race, and I achieved both goals... finish was 36:16.

    My second race was about a month later... and I finished in 35:20 and was very pleased with that.

    My third 5K race is next saturday and I'm hoping to finish in under 35 minutes.

    Ted
  • KF1216
    KF1216 Posts: 175 Member
    When I decided to do a 5k my goal was under 36min, but after training a while, my best practise time was 34min so my goal was to beat that, and I did: 33:33 :)
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Wow. I feel so much slower. I just ran my first unofficial 5k a week ago. Finished in 44:39 and was happy til I read this thread. I'm going to take everyone's advice and quit comparing my speed to everyone else.

    Yeah, I'm the same way. I really shouldn't read these threads because I get grumbly about my slowness. The main reason I'm slow is because of my two bad knees. So really, I should simply be proud. Instead, all these "I did my first 5k in 30 minutes" posts discourage me :(
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!!!!! You cannot compare your goal/time to someone else's. There are so many factors - age, gender, height, weight, body shape and composition, amount and type of preparation/training, previous exeperiences, injuries. The reality is, most people are not there to try to win the race. Yes, technically it's a race, but I think most people would tell you that it's not so much a competition against the other runners, but rather a competition with yourself.

    You are stepping beyond your comfort zone (I assume) and doing something you've never done before. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. You should celebrate and be proud of that! Don't let something as random as a finishing time interfere with your enjoyment and celebration of this accomplishment.

    I completely understand the inclination to want a "standard" to compare yourself against, but the reality is that it is totally random, and based on all the other factors I mentioned. If after running your first race, you want to continue running, then you can use this as your baseline to try to improve upon. Chances are, you are already nervous enough. Do not put added pressure on yourself to conform to some arbitrary time standard. Focus on finishing, enjoy the experience, and be proud of yourself when you are done!
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I started the C25k in November, and was running 5k non-stop by mid Feb. It takes a couple of weeks after finishing the programme for most people to hit the full distance. So I guess you need three months from start of C25k to finish.

    In terms of your race, as others have said, I'd say just aim to finish. Aim to run the whole distance, and cross the line. I'd like to bet that that's also exactly what your friend will say to you. My first race was a 10k, and with no expectations other than crawling over that line, I had the best possible time. It was great fun, I ran faster than I'd expected, and I ended desperate to run again. I think that's really what you want from a first race.

    Choose your race with a bit of care - make sure it's one where there'll be other new runners. (In the UK, if you're near a place that does park runs or runs for life, they'd be a good place to start.) That way, if you are running slowly, you won't feel you're doing so alone.

    Enjoy your running. I love it. It's the best bit of my fitness routine. You will be amazing!
  • LiveEnjoyEndure
    LiveEnjoyEndure Posts: 98 Member
    Just finish and enjoy it :)
  • sonnyless
    sonnyless Posts: 142 Member
    My first 5K was in January at a time of 35:45
    I ran it again last month in April and my time was 31:50
    My goal is to get under 30 minutes. I would eventually like to run a 10K
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