Sep 29, 2011 12:02 PM
Preparing for first 5K
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Scheduled to run my first 5k on October 16th. Wondering what I should be doing over the couple of weeks to prepare. I have generally been running 3 times a week and average about 2.5 to 3 miles each run. Occasionally I'll do a 4+ mile run to mix things up. Should I continue what I've been doing? Or should I shut things down a few days I run? Any advice or recommendatyion are very much appreciated.
MK
Couch to 5k completed: 7/15/2011
USPTO 5K 10/16/2011; 29:14 110/238
Bull Run Festival of Lights 5K 12/31/2011; 31:30 324/683
Primal Mud Run 4/14/2012; 1:29:29
Cody's Crew 5k 9/16/2012 31:15
Pretty much keep doing what you're doing. Your main goal here is to finish the race and have fun doing it. Take 1 to 3 days off before the race, depending on how you feel about time off. Some are fine with 1 day, others like the idea of resting the legs for a couple days before the race.
Len
Len
Since this is your first 5k I would take 3 days off from running prior to the event. The distance of what you are doing now seems good. If you want to mix in some cross-training days those will help your muscles and give you a break from always hitting the pavement. Good alternatives are swimming, biking, elliptical. It still gives you a cardio based workout but gives your running muscles a break! Good luck and remember to have fun!
XoXo. Stombs
"When u cross the finish line no matter how slow no matter how fast itll change ur life forever"
--Dick Beardsley
Squilky, Congratulations for entering your first 5k. It's an awesome thing to get off the couch (assuming too much?) and get movin
I'm all for three days off, but I'm close to 60 years and lugging around close to 220 pounds. At any rate it is good to allow time for your body to fully recover from training.
Since you are only 2 and a half weeks away, I wouldn't change anything, but if you want to continue, you might want educate yourself on the other kinds of training runs. They each serve a purpose in your progression. And the cross training that Stombs recommends is also important.
But this close to the race, you will not realize a lot of benefit from adding anything to your routine right now. Just make sure that you stay healthy for your first one.
Finish well!
Thanks for all the advice. Hoping for nice cool, dry weather the day of the 5k, as I seem to run a lot better when the air isn't heavy and humid. Been very rain and humid here the past few weeks, so hoping this pattern of weather changes.
Any advice on pacing? Should I just try to run my normal pace? I typically finish 5k in 33 minutes or so. Would love to finish in 30 mins or less, but I don't want to get ahead of myself and struggle to finish. Should I start out a little slow, and turn it on more at the end?
MK
Couch to 5k completed: 7/15/2011
USPTO 5K 10/16/2011; 29:14 110/238
Bull Run Festival of Lights 5K 12/31/2011; 31:30 324/683
Primal Mud Run 4/14/2012; 1:29:29
Cody's Crew 5k 9/16/2012 31:15
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