OK, sorry I don’t normally curse but I’m super excited! Most of you know I’ve been considering signing up for a 5K run after my friend, the trainer, mentioned it to me a few weeks back. I’ve been talking about it ever since but haven’t started actually running. See, I’m the type of person who need a goal, a reason to do something or I never actually get started.
So a few days ago, there was a running booth set up at the gym. They had a pamphlet for a local 5K event in about 6 weeks. I thought, “Perfect” that gives me 6 weeks to start running and training. Well, today was the day I started. I hoped on the treadmill I made a running mix for my iPod (I’ll post it later), I hit the 5K button, level 1 and away I went!
At first it wasn’t too bad (6 mph), then at about the 8 minute mark I got a cramp and I thought, “uh oh, I can’t do this” and turned it down to a walk (4.7 mph). Then a good song came on and I upped it to a level 3 (7 mph) and before I new it the song was over!! I couldn’t believe it! I must have had a smile on my face from ear to ear, 3 minutes zoomed by and I ran the whole time!!! I had to knock it back down to my walk about 2 more times but I DID IT! I finished the 5K in just over 36 minutes. I don’t even have any idea if that good or not, all I know is I DID IT. Holy Crap! I really did it. LOL
Ok, seriously I didn’t think I could. Now I am SO looking forward to this run.
I guess I should start training outside, huh? I’m sure it’s way different. Any runners want to share their experiences? This is a really new territory for me.
I’ll be back later, I just really had to post about the run. :~P
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I just ran my first 5k this past Saturday so in no way am I an expert. I do have to say that running outside is TOTALLY different than running on a treadmill. But it is better too! Before the 5k I only ran outside twice and I regret that. Also, I never ran the course. If possible, run outside at least half of your training if not more. And if you can, run the course at least once so there won’t be any surprises. (Like that stupid hill at the very end of the race for me!)
A couple more things that I learned: don’t drink too much water before the race. I did and had to use the bathroom before the race started. I have read that for a 5k you don’t have to drink a lot of water. The one water station should be enough. (Unless it is extra hot that day.) Don’t go out too fast. That is a no brainer but it very hard to do, especially on your first race. Don’t run in a hat! For me, it was more of a bother than it helped. I wish I would have just worn my sunglasses!
I think that is it. Good luck!
First off, way to go :)
Second, definitely run outside.
It’s like night and day and everything feels different. I found my breathing to be really off when I first started running outside and I would run too fast and tire myself out too quickly.
Start off slower than you want to go when you start outside and go from there.
You’ll love it.
Congrats! 36 minutes is great for your first time! My first actual 5k race I did it in about 36 minutes (that was this past November). And that was after a couple months of training. My second 5K (this past February) I did in around 31 minutes,. I’m not breaking any records, by any means (the 60+ age category always kicks my butt), but I feel good about my times.
I’m signed up for an 8K in June, a 10K in July, and a HALF-MARATHON in August! I like you need an end goal to keep me motivated. And 13.1 miles is a good incentive. :)
Best of luck!
-Holly
oh my Roni, once you start running there is no turning back. From reading your blog over these past months you are going to love this and become crazy about running. I have been running for about 10 years on and off but with many injuries that have set me back…not all due to running. Training on a treadill is a great start but if the weather is nice hit outdoors ASAP, that is the best training you can do. Also take it slow, do not increase your mileage too much too soon. There are great books out there just about woman running and the differet things we encounter. The most important ++BUY GOOD SHOES MADE ESPECIALLY FOR RUNNING++ and use them only for running. Try to find a specialty running store in your area where the employees know what they are talking about and can help pick out the proper shoe for your foot. Hope that helps and if you have any questions feel free to visit my blog :)
Awesome congrats on the 5k !!!! It feels awesome , doesn’t it! Woo Hoo!!!
That’s so awesome. I’ve always aspired to be a runner, but I’m afraid to take the plunge. One of my friends has said that if she can run a marathon, anyone can. I think I’ll start with a 5k though. LOL!
Congrats, that’s pretty awesome!
On a similar but less impressive note, I just ate a double cheeseburger and it was fantastic.
Thanks again for the link yesterday.
Nothing can compare to running outside–perhaps on a nice cool morning before everyone has woken up. The time will go by faster, there’s more to take in and look at, and it is a bit more challenging with hills and such but a way better experience.
It’s also fun to join a run club. I did one a few years back where it was geared towards new runners training for a 5K, but we had some marathon runners mixed in. The feeling of comradre was really neat as we all worked to get ready for our 5K. Very addictive. I wish I could do it again.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am signed up for a 5K run/walk on May 3rd. I already know the route and I have made one valiant effort to get to know the course. I ran for an entire block! Whoo Hoo! That was good for me. I was able to walk the entire route in 40 minutes. It is very hilly, with a lot of ups and downs, so I was proud of myself. My hope was to the run the entire distance, but I think that I will do baby steps and run when I can and walk the rest. You have inspired me!!!! I can’t wait to hear about your running music. My ipod is filled with a variety of stuff and I really need to put together a workout playlist. Anything upbeat and fun….I like just about any kind of music. I am anxious to hear about your favorites. Happy Tuesday!
Yeah, it’s different outside, but damn, not that different! GREAT JOB!
I walked a 5k once with a friend with a bum knee. It took us :60 to finish. I want to do one on my own and see how long it would take. You have the wheels in my brain spinning!
WOO HOO!!! That’s awesome!
Now…do that outside. ;) It’s a totally different ballgame than the treadmill. The treadmill is good to get you started, but you really need to do the majority of your training outdoors. And find some hills too…you never know what’s going to be on that course.
When I did the half marathon last year, I would have been screwed had I NOT trained outside. It’s just a different feel. And it’s addicting. The races are addicting too. The endorphins you get when you finish a race…oh there’s nothing better! Good luck!!!
CONGRATS!! It’s amazing how a NON runner (like myself) can get such a high over something like this!! I know what has helped me is using my garmin and staying in my zone. I never try and go over 170, if I stay at around 160 I can run forever!! Keep running!!!!!
wow – that is great!
if you’re training on a treadmill – put the incline up to 1 or 2. This will make it more like running outside (at least this is what my running clinc person & personal trainer told me). You should try to do some outside runs before the race – it really is a different feel.
Good work though!!!
Congratulations. What a huge accomplishment, If you can run a 5K on the treadmill you can run even further in a real outdoor race because the adrenaline, excitement and fun of running with a group really makes a difference. Have a great time and congratulations. I read your posts everyday they are always inspiring.
This post brought tears to my eyes. A victory for fat girls and former fat girls everywhere. Congratulations! You are an inspiration and motivate me to get my behind in gear.
You go girl! I want to be just like you. Here I was thinking I was doing great walking at 3.7 and running at 5 and you are flying past me. Guess I better pick up my speed.
That’s great, Roni! And a great time!
I’m training for a 10 mile race in early May. I never thought I’d love running as much as I do. :-)
WooHoo!! That’s awesome, congrats!!
You go Girl!!!!!!!! You are such an inspiration! Good luck with your training.
Cindy
I agree with the person who said once you start running, there’s no going back. :)
It is different running outside (especially when you live in a hilly area, like I do), but I like using the treadmill to make myself run faster. During the winter I run inside, so I’m just starting to get back outside, now that spring seems to be sticking.
I started running seriously in the spring of ’06, after about four months doing WW. I ran a 10K and a half-marathon that year, and worked up to a marathon in November of last year. It was hard and amazing. I’m not sure when I might be mentally able to do it again, but now I just keep running for fitness.
Good luck! It sounds like you did great!
You may want to check out http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
it’s the couch to 5k program I am following after 2 babies kept me out of the gym! I would guess you could start at week 4 (at least). Obviously WW worked for you because it was structured, and this is the same thing. Yes, you can ‘just run’ but this keeps you on track. And ditto everyone else…outside when you can, and get good shoes. And if you really start liking it, get a Nike+. You can read my adventures at http://www.sadij.wordpress.com
PS L-L-LOVE YOUR SITE!!!
This is the program I used to start training for my first 5k… it’s an 8 week program, and i know you said your 5k is in 6 weeks… but i didn’t need the whole 8 week plan anyway. Once you get halfway through, you can up your mileage and be right on track by race day!
Good luck!!!! =)
OOPS! heres the link!
http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm
Good Job! We all knew you could do it.
Awesome job Roni! I NEVER thought I’d be a runner, and now I love it. Enjoy, and seriously, head outside! My little guy and I run outside rain or shine, he doesn’t even mind the rain canopy on his jogger, he just can’t wait to get out and GO!
wow
I somehow missed this post.
GO YOU!
Im not a runner but Ive been told by clients precisely what marie said in her comment: that it’s like night and day and the DAY (outside :)) is waay better!
M.
Congrats! Roni, I am a slow runner, but there is this amazing thing that happens called race day magic. You will run so well that day because you will be so excited. Race day magic happens to me every time! Enjoy!
OK, I have to second the mention of getting good running shoes. You should be able to find a store near you that will fit your shoes really well, a plus if they have one of those treadmills with a camera that they make you walk on to see what kind of support you need. And socks. Get good sock (not cotton ones). Your feet will love you if you do.
I just learned this lesson the hard way, ie, I need new running shoes, these ones have too many miles on them and my feet move around in them too much. And now, I have the dreaded “black toe” of a runner. So much for cute summer sandals :(
Best of luck and congrats!
-Holly
Holly, wear your black toe as a symbol of pride. I love when I get a black toe (only happened twice)!
Oh you can SO SO do this! I just ran my first 5k and it was a lot of fun. I loved the people and the energy!
I was NEVER, EVER a runner. I started a biggest loser challenge and for “fun” thought “why not sign up for a 1/2 marathon at the end of this”. I have only been going to the gym for 2 months now (which is a LOT less than you have been) and I was able to run the 5k in 31 minutes and only walking 2 times.
Oh yeah, If I can do it, you SO CAN !!! just take it slow so that you don’t get 1/2 way through and poop out!
Not sure if anyone else has suggested this or not–you have so many comments to read through! But if you can afford it, and are planning on running outside on a regular basis, get a Garmin Forerunner running watch (or another brand, there are others but I don’t know what they are). It’s not just a watch, it’s a GPS that tells you how fast you are running and how far you have gone. I didn’t get one until this past Christmas, so I ran for 6 months outside without one and just used mapmyrunDOTcom to figure my mileage and my routes.
But the Garmin has changed my running life completely. It helps me know if I’m going too fast (because you CAN run too fast) and I don’t have to plan my route–I can just RUN. I ran 10 miles a couple weeks ago and I never could have done that in the relaxed manner I did without Garmin.
So when you’re ready–and I’d be ready sooner than later if I were you–get one. You will not regret it! BTW, I don’t have the fancy schmancy one with the heart monitor. I have the 205, which is an older version and DH got it half price at Christmas time from Amazon. It’s bulkier than the newer versions, which are quite a bit sleaker. If you’ve got the extra cash or a special occasion coming up, I’d splurge on a newer version.
Have fun running! It is the absolute best. You should also start reading runners’ blogs. There’s a whole other universe of bloggers out there that write about running. And RBFs (running blogging friends) are just as awesome as your Weight Watchen folks.
And, BTW, 36 minutes is excellent for your first 5k. Nothing wrong with walking a bit, either. Great job!
Way to go Roni!!!
You are doing INCREDIBLE! WOW! Keep up the great work! It’s taken me 7 or 8 weeks to work my way up to running for 25 minutes straight and look at you… Nothing can stop you now.
Can’t wait to read more about your new running journey, Roni. :-)
I used to run 5ks before I hurt my hip in a car accident. I would strap on the tunes and just run around NH back roads for 30-45 minutes a pop. Finished one race in sub-30 minutes (27 seems to ring a bell). Those were good times but now I stick to kickboxing. =)
That is AWESOME Roni! I am by no means an official runner, but I did my first 5K in January. Like others have said, there is nothing like that excitement before, during and after the race. I beam every time I see pictures from the race. And it truly is a measurable victory for this pre-WW couch potato girl. :)
Way to go Roni! That is fantastic! I just started running again too after a long break and ran my first 5K on the treadmill at the gym a couple weeks ago. To me, I felt like I climbed Everest! I too had the holy $hit thought as well. Great job! I absolutely love your blog – you are truly an inspiration to so many of us out here who struggle with weight! Keep it up – you are appreciated by so many! :)
Hi Ronni! Congrats on the 5K! I have been running for the past 8 years (WOW, I cannot believe it has been that long!) and like you, I started out on the tredmill. If you want to continue training at the gym, the best advice I can give is to always set the incline to at least 1.0 (1.5 is even better). An incline of 0 is equal to running downhill. And if your feeling ambitious, bump up the incline periodically throughout the run to simulate hills. This will definitely help you for when you make the transition to running outside, as well as keep you from getting bored! Also, buy good running shoes. They are worth the investment.
Hello!
I just finished my first 5k in 33 minutes! Ran all the way and acheived my personal goal under 35min and no walking! The course was great only 2 hills! My adrenaline was pumping not to mention my ipod with a great mix of music! I was so happy to be apart of the experience and build my own goals to decrease my time in the future. I would love to place in my age group 35-39! and run the next 5k under 30 minutes! Practice makes Perfect! It’s so addictive! I only started running to stay healthy, in shape and to be proactive to any health issues later in life, for only running three months 9 miles a week! I’m proud of my accomplishment!, and looking forward to running the Nike 10k in NYC in the future!
Donna – Congrats!!! It’s the greatest feeling in the world, isn’t it?
Hi Everyone I’m really new been walking 2months 5days a week 2miles sometimes 3. Plan to walk in a 5k on May9 any help would been welcome. Presently walking in a gym thanks
Roni – I had to chuckle after reading Christina’s post from a little over a year ago. Looks like her prediction came true! =)
(number 4 above)
[...] you would have asked me if I could run 3 miles a few years ago I would have said you were crazy. But I tried it on the treadmil. Then I ran my first 5K event. Then 6 miles. Then 10. My first half. And finally a whole [...]