Ran my first 5K this weekend!

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KingSmono

KingSmono

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Feb 11, 2004
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I started running about 3 months ago. My main goals were to get in shape, and lose a little weight. Since I started running, I've felt better than I have in years! I've been eating a very healthy diet, and believe it or not, I've lost around 25 pounds! My 5K time was by no means record breaking, but it was very good for me. I finished in 27:42. My goal was to finish under 30 minutes, so I'm very pleased with the results!!! I pushed harder than I usually push when going on my morning runs, and I was exhausted after the race... but I think I experienced the "runner's high" that I've heard so much about... I was on cloud 9!!

Are there any other runners here on CPF?

-Allen
 
That's terrific. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Right at 8 min. pace after 3 months is nice speed.

My running days are gone but I really did enjoy it.

Advise: Don't get too excited by your finish and push yourself too hard or you may injure yourself or burn out on the whole process. Take everything slow including the diet. The key is to keep it fun and to keep it going for life. Do not starve yourself or expect a new record every time you go out. A good first 6-12 month running program for us non-youth is to run 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. Let the speed change, not the time. If you find yourself going 4 miles in 30 minutes it's probably time to adjust the program unless your goal is competitive running. For me, the 7 min./mile mark is where I transitioned from jogging to flat out running and changed the program to longer time. The impact to the joints becomes much more intense at that point. If I were to start running again I would change to a longer run time at the 8 min. mark. I doubt I will ever run much again but I do go for 30 minute walks fairly often. Have fun and congrats, I'm jealous.
 
Thanks DieselDave! I don't know if I'm ready to classify myself as *non-youth* yet... (born in 1983... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) But hopefully I'll have many years of running ahead of me. I used a terrific training plan to start running called the "Couch-to-5K" or "C25K" running plan. It's geared at people who are very new to running, and starts you out doing a combination of running and walking; gradually increasing the running, and decreasing the walking. I'd recommend it to anyone who would like to get into running, as it's gradual enough to prevent the dreaded "burn-out" that has always happened to me when I've tried running before. My next goal is to run the Gasparilla 5K (or maybe even the 15K, what an accomplishment that would be!) in late February.

-Allen
 
"Advise: Don't get too excited by your finish and push yourself too hard or you may injure yourself or burn out on the whole process."

I can relate to this.

When I was training to race mountainbikes, I would did a lot of heart rate monitoring and timing of intervals/laps/etc. Sometimes, I would be ten or fifteen seconds slower on a 14 mile lap...and would be angry!

Instead, I should have been focused on the fun of the ride. The competetive side tainted my perception.
Not anymore.

Anyway, good going on the 5K! You have proven that your capabilities will always exceed your limitations.

Bob
 
Definately take the advice of not over doing it. I was born in 1984 but my body feels like it is much older. I've been running distances between 5-15K for about 4 years now, I have settled on 6:30-7:30 minutes on runs at those distances.

Cloud 9 Allen, more like hangovewr relief for me LOL; nothing clears the system faster than pounding some road.

Keep it up and pace yourself /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I ran when I was back in school. Haven't really been doing it too much in the past few years. But I've been gradually riding my bike more and more and I'll probably start running again soon. I'd like to break a 4 min mile while I still have a chance. My best is in the 4:20 range.

5k's were high school cross country stuff. Its definitely a nice distance to run. My best times were usually in the 17:10 area. Of course, times varied widely depending on where the race was run.

Good luck.

Mark
 
WOW, a 4 minute 20 second mile??! That's incredible! You should quit your job, and just find races to run in, and live off the prize money! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for the kind words guys. For me, it's an accomplishment, because just a few months ago, I couldn't run for the life of me. I'd be breathing heavy after going down the stairs to take the garbage out! I'd love to keep running, but I'm afraid of the long-term damage on the joints. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

-Allen
 
1951 Model, been runnig for 15 years; worked up to 25-30- miles per week, ran 1/2 marathons; now just 10-15 mi. week and light weighlifting.

No joint issues, however my hamstrings are "tighter" and flexiblity is less, due to the "pounding".

Great stress reliever and a way to be more disciplined.....I also made and have some great running friendsa, we meet at our local YMCA, daily.

jeffb
 
[ QUOTE ]
KingSmono said:
WOW, a 4 minute 20 second mile??! That's incredible! You should quit your job, and just find races to run in, and live off the prize money! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-Allen

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif

World record is in the 3:46 range. I'm NOWHERE close to the pros. Even fast high school kids could beat me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mark
 
Flat-out running and/or jogging never appealed to me but I can walk long distances at a pretty decent clip. I do that in conjunction with cycling to maintain some semblance of fitness. Sometimes I walk to CompUSA from my house (8 miles round trip). It takes about 50 minutes each way. I could walk further than 8 to 10 miles if not for the fact that I usually start getting blisters on my feet at that point.
 
LOL, I just ran my first 5k race a couple of weekends ago as well, at 42 years of age. My local hick town where I grew up, sponsored it and there were all of 40 runners. I finished in 25:42 I believe. I definitely ran faster then I do on my own. It was a strange race with it 90 percent uphill the first half and a turnaround so 90 percent downhill the second. The winner was a girl who did it in 19 and change.

I usually only run two to perhaps three times a week. That's all my joints can take. If I want more exercise then I bike. Kingsmono, sure wish I had your age again. My joints were near invincible in my 20s save the ruptured achille's tendon at 29.

Lots of races at www.coolrunning.com
 
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