ialsohaveadream

I'm entering a 5k tomorrow. It'll be the first time I've actually ran a race since I was about 19. It'll be depressing to see how much slower I am now than I was then, but I'm still hoping to pull off about a 7 minute mile pace (just under 22 minutes).

Wish me luck! I'll give results tomorrow night or Sunday.

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Houdini

Good luck IAHAD!

Fas-ligand

Good luck! I've been getting back into the racing game as well, although I'm still training...

Hopefully you'll get your mile pace.

nickel

you go

cheapie is doing his ride today, too.

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ialsohaveadream

Woot! A shade over 21 minutes, 6th in my age group (out of about 18). And I ran pretty poorly...that's just an encouraging result for having run so poorly.

Fas-ligand

It gives you something to look forward to, faster times.

attgig

21 minutes is pretty good for not having run for a while. gj.

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ialsohaveadream

I used to run 18's back when I ran all the time, but I gave up running after my first year of college, and didn't start again until last year. Looking at other local race results, I figure if I can get my time down to about 20, I would be finishing in the top 3 for my age group in most smaller (<500 people) races. Anyway, like I said, I'm encouraged.

And thanks!

sixpac shakur

Wow ialsohaveadream! You are fast! I'm running my first 5K on August 14. I'm a bit nervous but I've been training pretty consistently for a few months now. I'm not much of a runner but I've always been athletic (mostly tennis and volleyball).

I'm not sure what to expect from the race. Luckily I've got my husband and some friends running too although they're seasoned runners. I would love to break the 30min. mark but let's not think crazy. LOL!

ialsohaveadream

Running a 30 for your first 5k would be awesome! Good luck, and just remember to not go out too fast. Nearly EVERY first-time runner makes that mistake. It's easy to get caught up in the energy of the start and want to take off, but you'll regret it at the end.

Also, unless you have leg or foot injuries, spend a few bucks and buy some racing flats or waffles. They're very light shoes (with very little cushioning), and even though you're not racing to break a world record, it still helps make you take yourself and your race more seriously. It's like putting on your uniform to get ready for the game...just gets you in the right frame of mind.

sixpac shakur

Unfortunately, I have BOTH leg and foot injuries! I've struggled with plantar fasciitis for years and I have a bum knee which flares up occasionally. Ironically, running doesn't really bother the knee. It's sore after I play tennis from the lateral movement.

I'm pretty nervous about this race. I don't know why I'm so anxious but I'm glad I'll have people around me to support me. My biggest fear is to start off too fast. I'm very competitive by nature and I'll probably kick my own ass by jetting out of the gate!

I ran 4 miles today and I felt OK but not great. Just out of curiosity, how do you manage to get to sleep the night before?

Maarchk

haha, just drink some milk and do something relaxing. Just think of it as just another day. Always before my marathons and races, i just dont even imagine i need to do anything different. Just set my alarm, and have my stuff laid out, and then pretend its no there.
I am sure you will do great.

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ialsohaveadream

Obviously, you'll want to avoid having any caffeine the day before your race if you're worried about being able to sleep (try to avoid it on race day too, unless you're a total coffee addict, because it'll dehydrate you).

Then spend a few minutes thinking through what your pre-race routine will be, and how you plan to run the race. If you happen to know what the course looks like, go through the course in your head. If that fails, and I've still got the nerves going and can't get to sleep, I'd use a certain natural sleep aid...don't know if it works as well for women.

Fas-ligand

Wise advice. You can think of it this way...being competative, you'll enjoy the race more if you're passing people during the whole race. I usually hold back on the initial sprint that people do and catch them later. It's a great feeling when you know you're most of the way through the race and still passing people.

Good luck on the 14th!

sixpac shakur

Great advice! I will keep you posted and thanks for the encouragement.

sixpac shakur

OK, I finished the race! I posted a 32:51. I didn't meet my goal time of 30 mins but I feel all right about that considering that was my first race ever. Racing is SO different from my training runs. It was really weird but fun! I'm also not used to running so early in the morning, I'm usually a late afternoon/early evening runner.

I felt pretty good through the first 2.5 miles and then came to a pretty good size hill. I took it slow up the early portion of the hill and then I saw my husband ahead of me and put on the afterburners thinking that I could catch him. I caught up to him but ended up having to walk for 10 seconds. It was definitely a learning experience.

I'm a little sore in my hams today but I'm happy that I finished!

cheapie

isn't it fun running with that many people?

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ialsohaveadream

Congrats! Trust me, you'll do much better in a second race. The first one is always toughest. Ice them hammies down and do another next month!

And I'm totally with you on the start times. I'm not a morning person at all, and race times are always at the crack of dawn. I have a feeling I'd be able to shave some time off if the race was in the afternoon (but considering I live in FL, that would be considered torture under Geneva Convention rules).

ialsohaveadream

Oh, by the way...I just started training last week for a half-marathon I'll be doing in December. And thank you Cheapie for the recommendation on the bike seat for my cross-training. My boys and I thank you.

cheapie

np! which one did you get?

sixpac shakur

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice, it was much appreciated! I have also figured out the secret to running faster. In the middle of the race I was positioned behind this guy who had the stankiest case of body odor! It made me shave a few seconds off my time to get in front of him because I was totally downwind!!

ialsohaveadream

I brought a picture of the one you sent me to my local bike shop, and they recommended a Trico saddle shaped in the same style (with convenient center cutout for maximum comfort!).

And sixpac (nice name, by the way), in my 5k I was stuck next to a "loud breather" for a good 4-5 minutes. I finally just sped up just to get away from it. It was like a really loud wheezing.

sixpac shakur

You should have turned to him and told him that he never should have turned to the Dark Side.

sixpac shakur

OK guys, I ran my second 5K yesterday and improved my time from 32:51 to a blazing 32:19. Needless to say I was a little disappointed. But I'm not sure if shaving 30 seconds is good or less than average since I'm so inexperienced.

I can say that I ran a strong race. I felt great and I didn't stop to walk! That made me happy.

I'm thinking of doing an 8K in December. I'm really nervous about the thought of it!

ialsohaveadream

You're thinking about it the wrong way. 30 seconds in a 5k is basically like taking 10 seconds off EACH mile. That's not bad. Hell, if I could take 10 seconds off every mile, I'd be loving it.

I'm in week 9 of training for my half-marathon. I just did my first 9-mile run last weekend, and next weekend is my first 10-miler. Now that I'm finally back in shape, I'm curious as to what I'd run in a 5k.

sixpac shakur

Good luck on your half! Just thinking about running 13.1 miles makes me nauseous...and jealous! When's the race?

I didn't realize that reducing each mile time by 10 seconds was good! OK, now I feel better! I'm going to start doing some interval running to try to improve my speed. Too bad I can't run outside today, it's raining here in San Diego.