I’m 39 and in the past only ever ran when chased. Started running in March using the c25k plan and decided to give myself a goal race to stay focused and motivated.
Damn three months goes by really fast.
It didn’t go perfectly – there was a stupid ass steep bridge in the last half mile, I got a stitch and had to walk. However I ran a good time overall for myself (38: and change) and even though I didn’t meet my goal of running from post to post, I’m proud I did something I seriously never imagined myself doing. I even passed at least one person under age 70.
I plan to choose a new race at the end of the summer; I’d like to get down to a 10-minute mile x3.
Did you feel the afterglow after the run was over? I’m 55, I do mostly 5k’s and occasionally 10k’s, but never cared to be in races or was too concerned about the clock. Just want to get my heart rate up, and to be honest with you, don’t really care much for while I am running, but l mainly look forward to it being over with, so I can appreciate the good feeling I get afterwards, which often lasts for hours and makes it worth it to me. Anyway, congrats….
Good job! I ran my first 5k at age 50 a few years ago and it was a great experience. It was discouraging though when out of shape people would pass me but I kept my pace and finished with a decent time. The trick was trying to keep a steady pace when everyone around me was running much faster or slower.
I had a plan – I’ve been running negative splits so I intentionally start very slow. I was literally last at the start. I still ran too fast at the start. I only ever passed a handful if people, most elderly. I realize though that this was a fast pack – organized by a law enforcement social running group, most people were VERY fit – the winning time was 16 minutes. I probably would have been in the middle of the pack in a standard charity run/walk.
Not that I care how I finished – only that there was a huge psychological impact on being absolute last and I didn’t run my plan.
Edited: I use a peacekeeping app (runkeeper) but I still ran too fast.
Congratulations! I experienced something similar at a run last year – it was the inaugural run with less than 100 entrants, so just the hardcore people entered. Plus some walkers. I did the 5K in around 27 minutes but I was still probably the slowest runner there!
My goal was to do it in under an hour, and my final time was 56.23 so I was delighted with that! I know its not a particularly fast time and most of my firends were quicker but I couldn’t care less, I ran the full distance and beat my goal time so its all gravy!
Its the first step to a marathon in October, so there is still a long way to go though.
Actually I did scout the route using runmapper but it didn’t represent the elevation of the bridges as part of the course. Google maps represents the route as virtually level (16 total feet of elevation), ignoring the 75’ tall overpass over the LIE. You can see two bridges (and that you have to cross one of them twice) but not how tall they are. You can’t place a Street View at the overpass in google maps either.
My Dad ran his first 5k a few years ago now (and has since run a few 10ks and Half-marathons). I warned him several times, since he was used to running alone, that he needs to find his own pace and NOT just get sucked along with the group.
Well, you can guess what happened. Ah well, he did better his next one. Good for YOU!
Congrats, man! I’m 41 and tried a c25k program last year–got to about 2.75 miles and started having issues with my left foot going numb. X-Rays were negative, and I’ve had some other issues that have prevented me from starting up again, though I hope to give it another go soon.
