General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 1st 5K-your opinions Rss Feed  
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2007-07-26 6:48 AM

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Regular
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upstate NY
Subject: 1st 5K-your opinions
Maybe some of you have been in my shoes?

OK, I've been working toward Sept 23 sprint tri. I've never been an athlete. The run (really a jog) is by far my weakest. But I've gone from being able to run 2 minutes in May to now 28 minutes. I only cover 2 miles in those 28 minutes but I don't walk. OK, I know that's probably a walking pace but I'm trying to be positive!

I hadn't planned to do a local 5K this weekend but now I kind of want to. Do you think I should...

1) give it a try and see if I can just keep going and run the whole thing and start walking if I can't go on
2) plan to run only for 10 minutes (or some other predetermined minutes), then walk for a few and run another 10.....
3) sign up for the 5K walk
4) sign up to hand out water

I know there's no right answer but I'm interested in your experiences.


Edited by healthierme2 2007-07-26 6:49 AM


2007-07-26 6:52 AM
in reply to: #901941

Veteran
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
1) Go for the glory and push yourself
2007-07-26 6:57 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Pro
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I say sign up for the run and use it as a listen to your body training session.  Run when you can, walk when you need to.
2007-07-26 7:16 AM
in reply to: #901953

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Regular
57
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upstate NY
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
Thanks guys!
Off to work and excited about this.
2007-07-26 7:27 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Master
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Long Island, NY
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I did my first 5K in March after coming off the couch, smoking 1 pack cigs per day (Quit Oct 06), and never ran..EVER!   I got beat by almost everybody, 8 yr old boys, 9 yr old girl, 80 yr old man....I stopped when I had to and I just ran my own race and had fun.  I was so darn proud of myself when I finished! Just listen to your body, when it says Stop, then Stop..when it feels good then jog.  I say Go For It!  Good luck and be sure to post a Race Report (RR).
2007-07-26 8:35 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Expert
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Sugar Hill, GA
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
This is my first year of training and I've completed two sprints.  Early in the spring I was in the same boat as you.  I signed up for a 5k and it ended up being a great experience.  It was just the atmosphere I needed to push a little bit and realize that I could do a 5k w/o walking.  From that point on I have not done any walking in my training (except for warm up and cool down) and I'm slowly working my way up to 10k distances.  Take it from a former couch potato...go for it and see what you can really do. 


2007-07-26 9:52 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Expert
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Alexandria, NH
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I say #1. Get out there and set a PR. No matter what time you do... you still did it and that's better than sitting it out. The next time you race you can plan on beating yourself. Wait until next year when you run that same 5K and crush your time. That's going to feel awesome. Congrats for getting out there. I think you should trust your body to make the right call. You'll be surprised at the adrenaline you feel when you are at that race. Just run your race and you'll be happy.

Which tri are you signed up for in Sept?
2007-07-26 10:17 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Pro
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
Agreed agreed.  And the best part is the first tiem you race a distance you automatically set a PR!
2007-07-26 10:32 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Master
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
Do it, and report back here as to how it went! You will be excited by all of the fun, healthy people you get to interact with and will probably have more motivation to do more events!
2007-07-26 12:46 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Arch-Bishop of BT
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions

Also in the go-for-it-all camp.  If you can run 2 miles, you should be able to run (remember the difference between a jog and a race is an entry form) the 5k... who cares how slow you go. 

Let us know how the race goes! 

Peace,
Brian

2007-07-26 1:33 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Champion
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
yeah I would I would go and do your best. Walk if you must. I would run 10, walk couple and then run 10. That is me. You will probably finish faster that way.

Either go out and have fun.


2007-07-26 2:13 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
If you can run, why not run! :] And if walk/run intervals are what get ya through the last mile, or any other part of it, it's great experience and a bit of a training session towards progress of a long term goal for getting to that 3 mile run point or beyond?

But no matter what, enjoy whatever you decide!
2007-07-26 4:37 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
You'll never know what you can or cannot do without trying.  Go for it
2007-07-26 4:59 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions

Do the 5k, it will be great for motivation and to get out and race...but try not to do the whole 3.1 miles running.  If you are currently doing 2miles, run 2.2-2.4 miles in the 5K.  Integrate the walking intevals as you see fit, walk at the end, or some in the middle or both.  Especially if you are a new runner, if it has been challening getting to 2 miles, going straight to 3.1 miles is a big jump-way more than the 10% rule.  We want to make sure nothing happens on your way to your Sept triathlon.

Good luck!

2007-07-26 6:11 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Champion
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Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red...
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
One more vote for go for it!!! For me, I've found that I can do a lot more than I think I can...but I can't seem to do it by myself. If I go with a faster friend or enter a race or whatever, I am able to push myself better and see what I really can do - so you might surprise yourself, but even if you have to walk, after the 5K you'll be a RUNNER!

Good luck, and let us know how you do!

Kristen
2007-07-26 7:29 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Member
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I've done a handful of 5k races just for the hell of it and treated them like any other training session. It's very motivating to be out there early in the morning with all those other people, and it's hard not to feel good about yourself afterwards, no matter what your pace is. The first one I ever did was a week before my first Danskin, and I was still recovering from a sprained ankle and walked the whole thing. It was still awesome!

Go for it, walk when you need to, run when you can, and enjoy!


2007-07-26 8:26 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Regular
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upstate NY
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I am signed up and ready to go!

I can't thank you all enough for your encouragement. I love that there are so many of you out there with experiences to share.
Decided to run as long as I feel right and walk if I need to.

Stay tuned.
2007-07-26 10:37 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions

we can't wait to read your race report!

the first looser is the one that didn't even try(i)!

its been said around here for a while...
DFL>DNF>DNS :  Dead F'in Last > Did Not Finish > Did Not Start

2007-07-27 6:50 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Expert
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I'm late on this one but wanted to throw in my 2 cents.  I definitely agree to go for it....mainly because when I get into a race setting I always amaze myself with what I can do.  At my first race (was 2 miles) I was nowhere near being able to run a full mile....but at the race I nearly did it because the group mentality and my natural competitiveness pushed me along.  I definitely enjoy the race atmosphere to see how i'm doing....as long as you listen to your body and don't do anything that could cause injury.  Good luck and enjoy yourself!
2007-07-27 7:00 PM
in reply to: #903249

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Master
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions

healthierme2 - 2007-07-26 9:26 PM I am signed up and ready to go! I can't thank you all enough for your encouragement. I love that there are so many of you out there with experiences to share. Decided to run as long as I feel right and walk if I need to. Stay tuned.

Just be careful not to get too caught up in the pace of those around you.  My first 5K EVER i totally blew up because I was trying to keep up with those around me, the crowd got me pumped and I was jacked just for doing a running event.  I think I last .5 mile before I had to stop.  Start slow, you can always speed up.  CONGRATS on taking a huge step!

2007-07-27 7:04 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Frugal Gear Geek
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
congrats on signing up!! Enjoy the moment. Smile, wave, sing, what ever it takes. I have been racing for 4 years now, and was forced to walk most of the 6 miles in an Oly due to an injury. There is no shame in getting off the couch and making yourself heathier than you were. The big thing is like Ron said. This is a big distance jump, so I tend to like the run 7, walk 1 idea. Enjoy and keep us up to date.


2007-07-28 10:10 AM
in reply to: #904755

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Regular
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upstate NY
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
I did it!! Without stopping! I'm so happy. I missed the 2 mile marker which was where I told myself I could switch to run/walk intervals. By the time I figured that out it was too close to not keep going. My pace was slow but I don't care 'cause I did it!
My limiting factor right now is cardiovascular (and mental). I definitely get out of breath but my legs feel OK.


Thanks for your encouragement folks. Hoo Rah!

Oh, and I was not DFL. Pretty darn close though!

Edited by healthierme2 2007-07-28 10:11 AM
2007-07-28 10:11 AM
in reply to: #901941

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Expert
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Alexandria, NH
Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
woooo hooooooooo!!! congrats on your run. You did it.
2007-07-28 2:45 PM
in reply to: #901941

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Frugal Gear Geek
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
nice job on the run!! OUTSTANDING!! Keep up the good work.
2007-07-29 12:03 AM
in reply to: #905028

New user
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Subject: RE: 1st 5K-your opinions
Yeah! I'm glad you did it! Who cares about being close to last, you DID IT! And it's great to get a race of any kind under your belt b4 your tri. And it's fun too! Good luck in your future event and kill it like you did at the race!
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