# 5K Advice **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2012, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637 "2012-11-02T05:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/21 "2012-11-02T16:35:32Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > Don’t wear the race shirt during the race. Only noobs do that. I forgot this one, very important. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/22 "2012-11-02T16:53:10Z")
At this late stage, the only advice is to have fun with it - if you have trained then pace yourself, if not then run at a measured pace (whatever feels like running “slow”) for as long as you can, walk when you have to, run again when you can. As far as the 10 minute mile thing, pure crap - 8 weeks off the couch and about 25 pounds down to get to about 6’/195 got me to a 31:40 finish in my first 5k. Continued running has me at about 6’/160 5 months after that and a 5k best of 24:50. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/23 "2012-11-02T16:58:07Z")
Until a couple of months ago, I hadn’t run since about 2004. My gf, now ex, runs 5Ks and half marathons and said something about me going on a training run with her. We ran 3.1 miles one afternoon and she was surprised that I ran 8-9 minute miles the whole time. Now, I do ride 150 to 200 miles a week on bicycles, so I’ve got the cardio and I’m in pretty decent shape, but I hadn’t actually run in several years. My legs felt terrible for a couple of days, but I didn’t back down and kept her pace. If the t-shirts are like the jerseys from organized bike rides, it’s not cool to wear the one from that year in that event. If you have older shirts or jerseys from that event, that’s cool though. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/24 "2012-11-02T17:15:41Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Missed the window, but some pointers on [shirt etiquette.](http://www.psychowyco.com/id74.html) I read through that list and it was such a mix of satire and seriousness, half the time I couldn’t tell which was which. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/25 "2012-11-02T17:29:50Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I read through that list and it was such a mix of satire and seriousness, half the time I couldn’t tell which was which. The big one is “don’t wear a shirt for a race that you didn’t complete”. In particular, you haven’t completed the race you’re running right now. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/26 "2012-11-03T00:20:09Z")
I’ve been running for two years now. I’m aiming for a 8-8-7 or even possibly an 8-7-7 (23 and 22 minutes, respectively). Not that I’ve ever run timed my mile before, much less ran a 5k before. They’re just optimistic projections. I do know from shorter races that just by having a bunch of other runners around, I can run faster and longer. And man, what’s up with all the attire rules? I’ll be running in these shoes tomorrow … are they a _faux pas_ or a smash hit? Let me know what you think. [http://i.minus.com/idCtk3NMObYl4.jpg](http://i.minus.com/idCtk3NMObYl4.jpg) And oh, they’re sunning on the roof because the laces glow in the dark … ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/27 "2012-11-03T00:55:24Z")
And for God’s sake, pin the bib on your FRONT, not your BACK. I want to smack those n00bs every time I see one. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/28 "2012-11-03T01:10:09Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > And for God’s sake, pin the bib on your FRONT, not your BACK. I want to smack those n00bs every time I see one. But when they collapse at the finish, it’s still within reach. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/29 "2012-11-03T01:12:37Z")
Trust me when I say, those will be very understated shoes for a race. Something like this: [http://store.nike.com/us/en\_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-100701/pid-582064/pgid-665305](http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-100701/pid-582064/pgid-665305) or like this: > **[Nike By You Custom Shoes](https://www.nike.com/nike-by-you)** > > Your personal Nike co-creation starts here. Make something they’ve never seen before by creating your own iconic sneakers with Nike By You. Will be common. If you can really run 7ish minute miles at most of the 5k’s I’ve been in you would place in the top 3 women overall (none with more than 200 people). ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/30 "2012-11-03T01:29:56Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > I’ve been running for two years now. I’m aiming for a 8-8-7 or even possibly an 8-7-7 (23 and 22 minutes, respectively). Not that I’ve ever run timed my mile before, much less ran a 5k before. They’re just optimistic projections. I do know from shorter races that just by having a bunch of other runners around, I can run faster and longer. > > And man, what’s up with all the attire rules? I’ll be running in these shoes tomorrow … are they a _faux pas_ or a smash hit? Let me know what you think. > > [http://i.minus.com/idCtk3NMObYl4.jpg](http://i.minus.com/idCtk3NMObYl4.jpg) > > And oh, they’re sunning on the roof because the laces glow in the dark … That’s pretty fast, IMO. And I heartily endorse your shoes, but then I wear [these](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://broadwayrunclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Brooks_Cascadia6.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?58644-Brooks-Trance-9-Running-Shoes&h=607&w=1000&sz=642&tbnid=leozUoC-qfOO9M:&tbnh=73&tbnw=120&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbrooks%2Bcascadia%2B6%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=brooks+cascadia+6&usg=__yeLkoZHUTJexOlTWmAYAsQuVh94=&docid=vfqefrJKwDtQ9M&sa=X&ei=y3KUUL4Mkpj1BIS9gcgK&ved=0CHcQ9QEwAg&dur=90), and I think my next pair will be [these](http://www.amazon.com/Brooks-Cascadia-Running-Woodbine-Anthracite/dp/B005ARFKO4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351906142&sr=8-1&keywords=brooks+cascadia) in green. > [@runner pat](#): > > But when they collapse at the finish, it’s still within reach. 😃 :eek:😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/31 "2012-11-03T01:39:38Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > Trust me when I say, those will be very understated shoes for a race. > Something like this: > [Nike. Just Do It. Nike.com](http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-100701/pid-582064/pgid-665305) > or like this: > [Nike. Just Do It. Nike.com](http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/product/free-run-id-running-shoe/?piid=28536&pbid=522603595#?pbid=522603595) > > Will be common. > If you can really run 7ish minute miles at most of the 5k’s I’ve been in you would place in the top 3 women overall (none with more than 200 people). You kids. I was wearing [these](http://only-sneakers.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/nike-vainqueur.jpg) back in 1980. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/32 "2012-11-03T02:26:05Z")
How hard do you guys laugh when you see someone with these at a marathon? [http://store.nike.com/us/en\_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-682165/pgid-440311](http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-682165/pgid-440311) * * * On a side note, some Shox 2:45s would be sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/33 "2012-11-03T03:07:56Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > How hard do you guys laugh when you see someone with these at a marathon? Most likely I’d only have time for a brief chuckle before they passed me and were out of sight. Shoes are shoes, I don’t have energy to worry about what others are wearing. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/34 "2012-11-03T03:15:33Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Most likely I’d only have time for a brief chuckle before they passed me and were out of sight. They passed you because they were faster or they were slower? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/35 "2012-11-03T03:30:58Z")
I wouldn’t laugh at all ? All the olympic runners had on the colorful nike shoes just like that, it was one of the most successful product placements ever (and by a non-sponsor :)) ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/36 "2012-11-03T03:56:25Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > I wouldn’t laugh at all ? All the olympic runners had on the colorful nike shoes just like that, it was one of the most successful product placements ever (and by a non-sponsor :)) I just can’t imagine running with 13+ oz. shoes. Color wise, I love them. Weight wise … max air technology is too long in the tooth and has been superseded by Lunarlon, Zoom Air, Cushlon, etc. My Dart 9s are around 10 oz for my size and I wish sometimes they were lighter. ---
**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/37 "2012-11-03T03:57:35Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > If you can really run 7ish minute miles at most of the 5k’s I’ve been in you would place in the top 3 women overall (none with more than 200 people). I know my Dart 9s have pink laces but I’m a dude. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/38 "2012-11-03T12:25:22Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > They passed you because they were faster or they were slower? :dubious: Faster - I’m a pretty slow runner. But people wear whatever shoes they like, I really don’t see any point is criticizing the colors of athlete’s shoes. Who gives a crap, really? ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/39 "2012-11-03T13:03:56Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > I know my Dart 9s have pink laces but I’m a dude. 🆒 See now pink laces on a man’s shoes, _that_ I haven’t seen before in a race. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637/40 "2012-11-03T13:34:33Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Faster - I’m a pretty slow runner. But people wear whatever shoes they like, I really don’t see any point is criticizing the colors of athlete’s shoes. Who gives a crap, really? Seconded. Also the shirt and number fetishists. I know the shirt list was “tongue in cheek” (yeah, right) but that kind of elitism drives me nuts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5k-advice/639637.md?page=3)