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How to break my repeated minutes at 5K???

guest — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:24:43 GMT

I agree that a 25 minute 5K is a very aggressive goal for a new runner. Think about it...you are running just under an 11-min mile right now, and you are talking about taking 8 minutes off you current time...that's almost 3-min per mile!! Even though th improvements in time seem small, you DID improve every time!! Just stick with it and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they seem. If you keep working at it, maybe the 25 minutes would be a good goal for next summer.

Re: Learning to go the Distance

guest — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:04:00 GMT

Thanks for your response. I think music would help. I've read l lot about people using this time to think about things, reflect and solve problems. However, all I seem to think about is breathing in and out. It is boring to listen to and think about your breathing effort for 20-30 mins. I hope with more conditioning that gets better.

Learning to go the Distance

guest — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:47:10 GMT

Hi. I'm a new runner. I started 6 months ago...just adding some jogging to my walks. I've done two 5K's now. Both times I allowed myself to walk a few times, finishing around 33 mins. Having never been a runner before, 3 miles still feels like a long distance to me! Lately I've been doing sessions of 2 miles on the treadmill. After a while, I'm just ready to quit, either from boredom or just tired of breathing heavy!! So my question is...how do you push past that? I'm sure it's more psychological than anything, and maybe some people just enjoy running more than I do. I would like to increase my distance, and am just looking for any advice.

Thinking About Trying This Thing

guest — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:11:07 GMT

Hi there. Thanks for posting. I started this thread almost one year ago. and it sounds like you are pretty much in the same position I was in. First of all, YES! It is totally doable. There are more & more ordinary people getting out there and doing triathlons. I even noticed that I'm starting to see training plans for them in women's magazines. As with anything, consistency and dedication are key, but also...don't forget to have patience with yourself! I think the order of the triathlon...swim, bike, run makes a lot of sense as a natural progression, but I would say that you should start with whichever one you are able to, building up your endurance in one, then gradually adding in another. Running is the most convenient since no equipment is required. I don't have access to an indoor pool, so I started chose to start with running. So...about 6 months ago I started just adding some jogging to my walking, only doing a couple of minutes at a time at first, gradually building up my tolerance for running. I've heard that the C25K plan is a good one, but I didn't use any particualr plan...just did what felt right to me. I've entered two 5K's now. That in itself is an accomplishment, as I've never been a runner before! The thought of being able to do a triathlon is still exciting to me, but I have yet to do ANY swimming or biking. My hope is to take a swim lesson sometime this summer, and to add some biking. It definitely takes TIME to build up your fitness level and learn new sports, so again, be patient with yourself. Good luck and keep in touch!

Countdown to first 5K!

guest — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:46 GMT

Well, I did my 2nd 5K today...just 12 days after my first one ever! My husband and my 10 year old daughter joined me today. My husband held back and stayed with my daughter for the whole race (he can go much faster). They came in at 32 minutes, about a minute and a half before I did. she was the youngest runner, and came in first in the 13 & under girls!! I LOVE that I've been able to share this experience with my daughter, and I will now have a running buddy. =) I never would have thought this before, but doing the 5K makes me want to do more. Also...I've always had kind of bad knees, and they hurt quite a lot when I first started running, but I am mostly pain free now. The muscles around my knees have strengthened due to the running. So.............keep going!!

Countdown to first 5K!

guest — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:33:37 GMT

I actually signed up for one next Friday, May 4th, so it's only 12 days in between. It just happened that the school I work for is putting this one on right in my home town, and it's for a good cause...otherwise I probably wouldn't be doing it again so soon. I would think that once a month during the summer would be pretty normal...could go twice a month if you have the time...just depends on your goals. Right now, for me, it is keeping me motivated, as it would be easy to slack off now.

Countdown to first 5K!

guest — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:32:42 GMT

Thank you!! One thing I realized is that it's really good to sign up for an event as a motivator! I felt I wasn't ready, and it would have been real easy to keep putting it off and maybe I never would have felt completely 'ready'. It could have easily been one of those things I wanted to do and just never did. I am so glad I JUST DID IT! I also see now why people get addicted. It would be easy for me now to slack off, because the 5K is done. I'm starting to feel the need to sign up for another one, just to keep my going with my workouts. Good luck to you...keep going!!

Starting C25k today, who wants to join in?

guest — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:25:35 GMT

YOU CAN DO IT!! I have NEVER been a runner before...I despised running. I pretty much had the same goal as you, to just get back in shape, and secretly wanted to do a 5K, (although I only half believed I'd ever do it). Well, I basically started adding little bouts of jogging to my walks and then gradually increased the time I was jogging. Over the last 4 months, I have been consistently walking/jogging several times per week. It is hard, but the main thing is that I stuck with it, and........ I did my first 5K yesterday!! I had to walk some, but I think that's because I found it hard to pace myself around all the other runners. Anyway, my goal was to come in under 35 min, and I came in at 33:38. Woohoo! No matter how hard it seems right now, just stick with it. Keep going, and eventually you'll get there. It takes time and determination!

Thinking About Trying This Thing

guest — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:16:49 GMT

Update - I did my first 5K! Running is still HARD and I have more work to do. I had to walk some, but my goal was to come in under 35 min, and I came in at 33:38, so I'm happy with that for now, and I'm just glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and did it.

Countdown to first 5K!

guest — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:08:43 GMT

I did it. I had to walk a little more than I thought I would, but I think that's because I was running a little faster than my normal pace. It's so hard to know how to pace yourself with all the other people around. A lot of people passed me in the beginning, and I thought maybe I was the last one! I never looked back, but when I finished, I realized I came in someweher in the middle. I still find running HARD. I was worn out! But...I did it, and I'm really glad I did! My goal was to come in under 35 min. and I came in at 33:38.