I have my first 5k race on Saturday and instead of being excited, I'm SCARED!!!
I know I can do the distance, I regularly run 6k now non-stop, but I'm worried the weather will be too hot and that I won't be able to get into a steady pace because of the other runners.
I know it should be fun and I shouldn't put myself under pressure, but I'm a goal orientated person so have got it in my head I want to run the whole thing and finish in under 40mins. I know it's not the end of the world if I have to take walk breaks or don't make my time goal, but I want to do this SO much.
So how did you feel before your first race, were you excited or nervous, what preparations did you make for it, and how did the race itself go? Did it go as well as you hoped or not?
I'm really hoping that when it comes to Saturday it's going to go well and give me the confidence to work up to a 10k next, but in my gut right now I just want it over

Ditto what she said..... I am signed up to do a 5k on Saturday. A bit scared. I am hung up on the stupid details.... do I take my bottle water, where does my bib go, yada, yada, yada.

Tammy

I havent ran one yet because of my anxiety of what you are describing. lol Hope that I can some day though!

i ran my first 5K about a month ago! i was nervous and had a goal of 40 minutes. before the race i felt really anxious but once everyone got going i felt really good! i was a bit too hot as i was wearing a sports bra, sport top and then the race shirt on top. i didn't take anything with me (besides my ipod which craped out before we started!) I took a few short walking breaks and came in at 33:35!! I was so proud of myself after! its certainly worth the butterflies. good luck ladies! Stay hydrated!

I have my first 5K since I really started running on Sunday. Kinda nervous but excited. I expect to take walk breaks and hope to finish under 40 minutes.

I was nervous, too, and my first 5K went off without a hitch. I had a hard time maintaining pace, and I finished in 39 minutes. I realize now I could have run faster, but I was really focused on not walking.

The thing that amazed me was the different types of people that ran it. Kids, adults, elderly people, and they way they looked was no indication of how fast or well they would run it. There was a little girl (maybe 8-10 years old) I saw at the double back point who was running with her dad - they were going very fast, like 8 min miles, and she looked like she was having fun. Very fit looking people were going slow or walking, and I had a lot of fun looking at all the people and the terrain - it was beautiful.

My advice to you is not to worry too much. Show up a little early, use the bathroom, and have fun. Usually there are signs and pins and volunteers who are there to answer your questions, even the dumb ones.

The butterflies and anxiety are completely normal... Once you're there you'll feel more relaxed when you see all the other average Joes there... Have fun... My first 5k was my best 5k It's a long time ago I don't even remember my time...

I am rooting for you and can't wait to hear of your SUCCESS!!!! I hope I'll follow in your footsteps one of these days!