Nervous for my first 5k

I did my first one this past February. For me the thing to remember was to not overdo it at the start. Personally I do better overall if I just keep at a steady pace throughout, maybe sprint a little here and there, but don't get yourself winded at the start. I'm assuming it's a fun run type deal, try your best to get a good time for yourself, but don't hurt yourself trying to be the fastest person there if it's your first 5k and you're just getting the feel of distance running.

Hopefully some of this makes sense.

first dont change anything food wise. eat what you are used to. otherwise you may be dealing with an upset stomach (no fun!)

given that you havent fully trained for this race, start off slow. big mistake of a lot of runners is to start off too quickly. if you do this you will suffer for the remainder of the run.

when you get winded, walk until your heart rate goes down a bit and then run again

have fun and enjoy the guilt free eating after the race.

For your first one, just try to take in and enjoy the experience. I have done about a dozen races now and I still feel a bit queasy for the first 1/4 mile or so. I tell myself that if I can just make it through this song I will be ok. My goal for my first was to do it in under 40 minutes without walking and I was able to finish im 33:43.

You shouls also read this, it helped me a lot before my first race:

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

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

Start slower than you think you should. It's not easy given the adrenaline and the speed of your fellow RUNNERS.

If you don't outpace yourself early, you'll have SO much more energy for the rest. You're going to do better than you think, I guarantee it.

I just did my first 5K today. It was an awesome expirence. I was no where near ready for it. I ended up walking most of it. But, I did run in intervals. I had a "runner" that was with me, and she kept me going. Run to that sign, then walk............run to that stop light.........walk, etc. She kept me focused and going. We just kept the pace slow & steady. For me it was about finishing, not my time. And, my time was ugly. But, next time it will be better.
Good luck, and just enjoy it!! You got this!!

I just did my first 5k last weekend. I have been running for one year before and I am still using the Galloway method or running.I run one minute and walk one minute. Repeat until I cross the finish line. Enjoy yourself,go slow.

Great job getting to this point. I ran my ran first 5K about 6 weeks ago only 3 weeks into the c25K program myself. I just did 5K #2 last weekend and am only on week 7. You will be fine. I chose to interval run both of them just like the program but did a 2 minute run/ 2 min walk. I was with a friend who was less prepared than I and we probably only ran 1/3 of the race for #1. #2 went better, running half of it but it had a ton more hills so we finished in about the same time.

Eat something light in the morning (I did a mini-bagel with peanut butter and a Gatorade Prime right before the race), but like someone else said, something you're used to. Run your own race... it'll be easy to start trying to run with others when the race starts, but race against yourself! I let the pack spread out then just kept picking off people in front of me!

The other part for me was encouragement. Looking up, I was amazed how many other runners cheer each other on. I've loved it and make a point to smiling, nodding, something... GOOD LUCK! You got this!

I agree with all the other posts. Take it slow at the start, you don't want to burn yourself out. Seeing everyone running will make you unsure of your speed at first, so although you may be training at a given speed/pace, you'll probably be influenced to run faster thinking that's your proper pace. Go slow at the beginning and then once that first rush is over, get into your groove. Also, in my first race there were multiple waves - if that's the case, you may want to find out when your wave starts. I had to wait 2 hours from the listed start time for my wave... it sucked. I brought a water bottle - don't. They will have probably 2 or 3 tables with water along the course so you can grab one on the go (or at least they should). Bring as little on your body as possible. If you bring a phone, bring a ziploc if it's cloudy. By the time my wave started it was pouring down rain and people were freaking out about their phones getting wet, me included. Eat light and energy packed food the day of and don't try anything risky. One of my running partners tried some takeout that didn't sit well with them and they were miserable for the race. Relax and have fun. Also, keep track of your own time if you can. When I ran, lightning was so bad that we had to stop 100 feet in front of the finish line which is where the sensors were to track our time. I never got to find out what my time was. Good luck!

Oh, and don't exercise hard the day before your race.
If you train on treadmills, try to mix in some outdoors running to get used to the feel and the distractions.

set YOUR OWN pace early, stick with it, and walk when you need to. Don't bother yourself with what everyone else is doing, set your pace, and just finish, you can ALWAYS get better at the next one. My second is tomorrow, and I just want to do better than my last, not everyone else.

so how did it go?