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Up to Threads in Newbie Cafe (New Runners)
1627 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: Mar 18, 2011 9:04 AM by OshCat RSS
soulgem Rookie
soulgem
1 posts since
Mar 17, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 17, 2011 10:50 AM

Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

Hi everyone, I'm new here. My name is Melanie and I'm a brand new runner (as of a week ago!).

 

On the spur of the moment, I decided to sign up for a 5K to benefit the local elementary school, which is on May 7. As a new runner, do you all think that's enough time for me to train for the 5K? I guess I can walk part of the way if I really have to, but I'd really rather run the whole way. Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm following the Couch to 5K running plan and I'm on Week 1 Day 3 right now, if that matters.

 

Thanks and it's nice meeting you all.

  • Menello Amateur
    Menello
    8 posts since
    Mar 7, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Mar 17, 2011 11:41 AM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    Hi Melanie! Welcome to the community.

     

    May 7th is 7 weeks from today. At week 7 in the C25K program, you are running for 25 minutes or 2.5 miles (most people I know can't run 2.5 miles in 25 minutes, don't worry), so you are "in the range" for a 5k (3.1mi). It might be a bit of a challenge, but isn't that what you're trying to do by running? You will definitely be able to run most of it. Whether or not you can run the whole thing is probably more an argument of willpower, not of body condition!

     

    If you believe you can do it, you will do it.

     

    It sounds like you are doing good so far. The only tip I can give you is to make sure you get some decent running shoes. If you already have those then you can go hard!




    Team Captain for Sole Food

    IT Professional in training

    Running blog:

    http://gruns.blogspot.com

  • reddolp50 Legend
    reddolp50
    461 posts since
    Mar 17, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Mar 17, 2011 1:17 PM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    Go For It Soulgem!

     

    I too am a newbie forward movement person that delusionally refers to myself as a 'jogger'.  Probably not even that.  I encourage you

    to find good shoes as well.  I am in that process again, as every step in my current new shoes hurts.  I was using a pair for some time

    and had to change, but realize now that the shoe foundation is everything.

     

    My training is to listen to my  not very young body and I lengthen my stride or shorten it up depending on the barometer.   I am terribly slow

    and my goals are weight loss, stress reduction, and achieve life long movement/activity.

     

    I am new to this blog as well and hope to gain information as well from the veterans to improve my fitness and keep the fortitude

    to press through the days of wondering what crazy notion I was thinking to think I could actually run!!

     

         A failure is not always a mistake, it may be the best one can do under the circumstances.  The real mistake/failure is to stop trying.

                                              B.F. Skinner

     

    My point of reference as I push forward to conqueor the steps in front of me........

     

    reddolp50




    Penguins Rule, Penguin On, Penguin UP!

    Don't Put That Crap in Your Mouth There is no finish line.....Nike Advertisement

    10/29/11 5k Chocolate Beano 42.52

  • emiss Pro
    emiss
    70 posts since
    Feb 7, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Mar 17, 2011 4:26 PM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    I'm right there with you.  I signed up for my first 5K when I was in week 1 of the C25K program and now I'm in week 7 and the race is on Saturday.  I ran 3.1 for the first time last night and while it was a struggle and my time was slow, I was able to run the whole time.  I'm hoping the same will be true on Saturday.  I agree with what people are saying about willpower.  Now that I know I can do it I really think I'll be able to.  But, even if you stick with the program for the race you'll still be running for 25 minutes which is an accomplishment.  Just strive to do your best and celebrate the fact that you're out there doing it.




    Completed Races:

    3/19/11 Holy Grail 5K 36:20 (First 5K)

    4/10/11 Wellness 5K 30:48

    4/23/11 Stonyfield 5K 30:28

    5/7/11 Dover 5K: 29:39

    5/23/11 Get Fit in May 5K 29:44

    5/29/11 Redhook 5K 29:32 (PR)

    6/11/11 Market Square 10K 1:08:40 (First 10K)

    8/18/11 Saunders 10K 1:07:35.49

    9/5/11 St. Charles Childrens' Run: 29:54

    9/10 Fox Point 5 Mile: 49:03

    9/25 Holy Grail 5K: 32:33 (with bronchitis)

    10/9 Great Island 5K 32:54.23 (still with bronchitis)

    11/13 Seacoast 1/2 Marathon: 2:31:39 (1st 1/2 Marathon)

    1/1/12 First Run 10K 1:4:45 (PR)

    2012 Races:

    2/19/12 Half at the Hamptons 2:28:18 PR

    3/24/12 Holy Grail 5K 28:17 PR

    4/21/12Whale of a 5K (first trail race) 30:24

    3/30/12April Fools 4 Miler 36:39 (9:10mm)

    6/12/12 Margaritas 5K 27:52 (9mm) PR

  • flamomof 4 Legend
    flamomof 4
    1,916 posts since
    Dec 14, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. Mar 17, 2011 7:14 PM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    Congrats & Good Luck!

  • docedwards Expert
    docedwards
    43 posts since
    Mar 6, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    5. Mar 17, 2011 7:30 PM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    Good evening Melanie. Nice to meet you. Age alone doesn't determine one's ability, but age and your overall physical condition, are determining factors. Hope you make it. Let us know. Good luck.




    Alive and Running from beautiful Oxford, AL

    Personal Bests (m/53)

    5K- 23:04

    10K- 49:55

    Half-marathon- 1:50:58

  • OshCat Pro
    OshCat
    179 posts since
    Mar 15, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    6. Mar 18, 2011 9:04 AM (in response to soulgem)
    Re: Just signed up for my first ever 5K run

    I'm new to all of this too and impulsively signed up for my first 5k also.  It's on April 16 and at this point I realize that I will be walking intervals during the race but I don't care!    I'm 44 years old and I've never done anything like this before, my doctor says it's ok so I'm just going to go enjoy myself.  There are at least two other 5k's that I want to do in my city, one in July and another in Sept.




    2013:

    New Year's Color Run (5k) - 01/01/13

    Oshkosh Half-Marathon - 04/21/13

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