Thinking about running a 5K this Saturday...

Why the nerves? Just go out and have fun with it. Set a goal for the day that is realistic and go for it.

6:30-7:00 MM... uuuhhhh... you are pretty darn fast.

The shorter the race, the more nervous I get.....

This user's post has been ignored.

I'm going to the gym today and sit in the sauna for a bit.  There's a Russian guy I meet in there from time to time that claims it helps him when he's not feeling so hot.  Otherwise I think I'm going to go out and give it a shot on Saturday morning.  Not sure why I'm nervous, I'm just ultra competitive and after all my running, swimming, biking, weight loss over the last year game time is approaching.  Thank you for the replies.

It's a 5k dude- based on your pace you'll be done in 20 minutes.

I take longer showers and do not worry about it.

It's a 5k dude.

Nothing in your logs, but like ^^ said, it's a 5K and you are a decent runner. just run it !

Still not feeling so hot, right ear will not un-pop but I ran the 5K.  I may have to go to the doctor next week... can't tell you the last time I was sick, but oh well.  Not sure on my time, but I think it is around 22 minutes.  I wanted to do better than that, but it is what it is.  Winner came in a little under 17 minutes I think.  Will confirm times once the race results are up. 

Stuck around to watch everyone finish, drank some water, ate two orange quarters and came home to get a hot shower.  Aside from not feeling tip top, I could have set a better pace out of the blocks and pushed harder over the last mile.  Course was hilly out and back with a flat mile in the middle.   I have my first 5K under my belt, enjoyed the overall experience and now have something to improve upon.     

You will find that at 22 min you will finish closer to the front than the back.  In my area, most 5K winners are at around 16 mins give or take 45 sec.  I finish generally in 27 min or so.  But I only have one pace and it is good from 1-13 miles.


Lots of weekend warriors at local 5 and 10K races...I love doing them.

I'm not sure what you mean by weekend warriors, but I got a good glimpse of the local running community at the event.  A lot of the guys in front of me were with local running clubs, which might not be a bad thing to hook into as I look to improve my running. 

Anyway, my official times are up... it lists two times though a "Gun Time and a "Mat Time".  I suppose I could Google it, but I'll ask anyway... what is the difference in the two?  I'm thinking I was on the mat for a while at the start since I was in a crowd when they said to Go!  Another lesson learned, get closer to the front for the start so I don't have to weave through so many people. 

Place Div/Tot  Bib   Name                           Age City            St Gun Time  Pace  MatTime Pace 

37   1/5      218 David Stubbs                    35 Culpeper        VA   22:10.6  7:09   22:04  7:07

http://www.tri-performance.com/raceresult.php?raceid=76

 

gun time is when they fired the pistol, mat time is when you crossed the start line and started your race.

By weekend warriors, I mean folks who are not high mileage runners, maybe not usually runners at all, or maybe even walkers.  Lots of folks come to support the charity or are talked into running by friends or coworkers.  I didnt mean it to be offensive.  My 5K times are way slower than yours.  Nice job.

of course all races have elite athletes attending but many of the small road races have only a few of these folks.