# Running my first 5K tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592 "2009-09-18T14:44:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/1 "2009-09-18T14:44:05Z")
For those of you who were not following or involved with our recent Couch to 5K thread, I will summarize very briefly: Before June 1 of this year, I had never voluntarily run in my entire adult life. Hell, I’ll even include high school, junior high, and most of grade school in that statement. Tonight, I am running in a 5K race. My goal is to either finish in under 40:00, or just finish at all, or just make it to the starting line without throwing up from being nervous, one of the above. The race is at 8 PM tonight. It is only 10 AM and I am already freaking out a little bit. I know we have distance runners around here who are probably chuckling a little bit about freaking out at running 3.1 miles, but dude, seriously, _never ran a day in my life prior to 3.5 months ago._ Anyway. Will check in after the race. I am currently fighting the urge to go run a mile or two “just to make sure I still can.” ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/2 "2009-09-18T14:52:11Z")
Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/3 "2009-09-18T15:00:28Z")
Make sure you work in some relaxation technique before the race. Carefully controlling my breathing and consciously relaxing my shoulders and neck work for me. This will help prevent getting a stitch on your side during the race. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/4 "2009-09-18T15:09:29Z")
There’s nothing to be nervous about. Remember, the only person you’re racing is the _you_ from 4 months ago and you’re going to leave her in the dust. 5Ks are very popular with first timers so you’ll have company and that makes the distance easier to conquer. You’ll also find there will be a large percentage of walkers so you won’t be coming in last. Relax and enjoy the experience, your first race only happens once, you want it to be good. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/5 "2009-09-18T15:09:30Z")
Good luck! You’ll love it - the people are really nice. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/6 "2009-09-18T15:16:27Z")
I am not chuckling at all. I remember full well that nervousness. I hope you can relax and enjoy it, and I look forward to hearing about how well you did, how proud you are of yourself, and how quickly you have signed up for your next one! ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/7 "2009-09-18T15:30:34Z")
Awesome! Let us know how you did. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/8 "2009-09-18T16:36:35Z")
Good luck! Just have fun with it. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/9 "2009-09-18T17:14:07Z")
How exciting! I’m sure that once you get on the road, you will be just fine. I remember that I felt like I was going to throw up all day the day of my first dance competition, but I was fine by the third measure of music. The hardest part is the waiting. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/10 "2009-09-18T17:43:38Z")
Don’t be sucked in to someone else’s pace. That’s the worst thing about first time racing - you fall into step with someone else and then can’t keep going. It’s a fun distance - you’ll have a great time, just stick with your own pace. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/11 "2009-09-18T17:46:48Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > Don’t be sucked in to someone else’s pace. That’s the worst thing about first time racing - you fall into step with someone else and then can’t keep going. > > It’s a fun distance - you’ll have a great time, just stick with your own pace. Excellent advice. Place yourself toward the back of the pack at the start and you should have plenty of others going your pace. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/12 "2009-09-18T18:06:01Z")
Start out slow, slower than you think is necessary. You’re full of jitters and nervous energy at the start line and it’s easy to go out fast. Start fairly far back, otherwise lots of people will be passing you and that tends to pull you faster than you want to run. Will you be able to see the finish line from along the course? I remember not feeling comfortable on my first 5K (last December) until I could see the finish line. Then I could pick up speed without worrying if I was burning myself out. You’ll have fun, you’ll feel good about yourself. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Kingspades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecae2f/32.png) [@Kingspades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kingspades)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/13 "2009-09-18T18:27:07Z")
Awesome, congratulations! Have a great time with it and enjoy the experience. Tell everyone around you that it’s your first time; you’ll get a ton of back pats and atta’ girls and encouragement. We all remember our first time and will be thrilled to cheer you on. I’ll echo what others have said about starting in the back and sticking to your own pace. You’ll be tempted to fly on up ahead with the pack, but it’s SO satisfying to pass all those people who will be walking around mile two. Last thing: if you can, sprint like hell about a hundred feet before you hit the finish line. It feels great, you’ll probably pass a couple of people, and the crowd at the finish line LOVES it. ---
**Author:** ![lunar\_elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lunar\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunar_elf)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/14 "2009-09-18T18:55:35Z")
So exciting!!! I have the first 20 min run tonight and here I am nervous too! 🙂 I remember reading your thread and eventually it inspired me to check out the C25k plan. As I tell our 3yo for calming down, ‘smell the flower, blow out the candle.’ Sending lots of breathing and pacing vibes! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out! You can do it! ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/15 "2009-09-18T21:12:19Z")
Congratulations and have a great race. I love Friday night races! I’ve got a regular, old, boring Saturday morning race tomorrow, but that’s me. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/16 "2009-09-18T23:17:28Z")
I’d wish you good luck but you’re probably gone already. Let us know how it felt when you first saw the finish line and realized you were going to make it. Of all the things to enjoy about a race, I think that was probably my favorite. It was even better than actually crossing the finish line. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/17 "2009-09-18T23:21:18Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > Congratulations and have a great race. > > I love Friday night races! > > I’ve got a regular, old, boring Saturday morning race tomorrow, but that’s me. I noticed your profile says you are from Corvallis. Is that Corvallis, OR? I assume the 3:20:59 or bust refers to a goal time for a marathon? Are you going to run the portland marathon this year? ---
**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:** [September 19, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/18 "2009-09-19T02:21:30Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > I assume the 3:20:59 or bust refers to a goal time for a marathon? Are you going to run the portland marathon this year? IIRC, that’s the 40-45 Male qualifying time for Boston. Is that your goal? My brother qualified for Boston with a 3:21:00; they gave him the extra second. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/19 "2009-09-19T02:42:22Z")
I am throwing you a goddamn ticker tape parade, missy. I am so happy for you!!! ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592/20 "2009-09-19T03:23:52Z")
Hey, y’all! I took everybody’s advice and did some relaxation/breathing stuff (badly needed) before the race, and took the first mile really slow. Everybody passed me in the first mile, but then after mile 2, I only got passed by a small handful of people, and I think even some of them were really fast people who were in the 5-mile race running simultaneously. The final mile was definitely my fastest, and then I sprinted the last 200 yards. I’m not sure exactly what my time was, but it definitely started with a 38: so I beat my 40:00 goal. 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 The only bad thing was that afterwards I got a free bottle of water, took a big swig, and discovered that it was actually a free bottle of chocolate-flavored energy drink. Bleeearrrrggh. The little Whatsits liked it well enough, though. (Speaking of, having your own little cheering section yelling, “GO MOMMY!” is a huge motivator right before the finish line.) Now I am looking ahead to my 5-miler on Thanksgiving morning. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-my-first-5k-tonight/510592.md?page=2)