Location: Smack dab in the middle, Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 668
S/C/G: 203.4/170.4/140.0
Height: 5'0"
First 5K jitters.....
OK, so I have been "running" for about nine weeks now. I did the C25K, but I did 85% of it on the treadmill, and when I switched to running outside, I learned (and learned FAST) that running on a damn treadmill is totally different from running outside.
And then I lost my mind and registered for a 5K, which is this Sunday. As in, the day after TOMORROW. And I'll admit...I feel like I can't do it.
I know that's silly. I can run. I may not be up to the point where I can run 5K nonstop (actually, I know I can't yet) but I can run at least some of it...and there's no rules about taking walking breaks, and there's no reason for me to be nervous. It's not like I'm going out there with the mindset, "OK, now I'm gonna win this thing!" I'm just doing it because I can, and because I want to finish.
But I'm still nervous. There's this little voice in my head going, "Who the **** are you trying to kid? You're no runner."
You can do it. I did my first 5k a few years ago and I admit I felt so similar to you. I was so worried that I was going to be last and that people were going to laugh at me.
You know? I wasnt last, though I was close and people were so nice and encouraging! I was passed by a mentally handicapped speed walker - and he told me I was doing a good job. It was awesome and helped me feel like I was doing a good job. That man kept me running that day!
I did my first 5K last October and made loads of mistakes. I'll share them with you and maybe you won't make them... I learned from them and did better in the next five 5K's I did since then...
I did not eat or drink that morning. I thought having something jiggling in my stomach would be bad. I know now to drink lots of water the day before, and get up in time to drink my coffeee and eat a slice of bread with peanut butter about two hours before start time. And have some water an hour before.
I did not think to have a hat or sunglasses that morning because I usually run near dusk, and it was a hot humid south Texas day (may not be hot there, but it might be sumny).
I started out going too fast (running with the big boys). When I got to mile marker 1 it was less than 11 minutes, and I am definitely a 12 minute a mile runner. I fizzled and faded and walked a lot more than I wanted to just because I was spent. On the next 5K's I just trotted steadily at my 12 minutes mile, then did each mile a tad faster, and my latest time was 36:25 which is generally smack dab in the middle of my age group (55-59).
Set 2 or 3 goals and make the first one attainable (like finish the course) and the next ones a bit of a challenge (like finish in under 42 minutes or trot the whole distance until the first mile marker).
OK, so I have been "running" for about nine weeks now. I did the C25K, but I did 85% of it on the treadmill, and when I switched to running outside, I learned (and learned FAST) that running on a damn treadmill is totally different from running outside.
And then I lost my mind and registered for a 5K, which is this Sunday. As in, the day after TOMORROW. And I'll admit...I feel like I can't do it.
I know that's silly. I can run. I may not be up to the point where I can run 5K nonstop (actually, I know I can't yet) but I can run at least some of it...and there's no rules about taking walking breaks, and there's no reason for me to be nervous. It's not like I'm going out there with the mindset, "OK, now I'm gonna win this thing!" I'm just doing it because I can, and because I want to finish.
But I'm still nervous. There's this little voice in my head going, "Who the **** are you trying to kid? You're no runner."
Blah.
No one was a runner until they started running. And winning 5 K's against people who have been running for years isn't going to happen--but believe me--no matter how slow you are--or how many breaks you take--there will be people encouraging you all the way. The point is you're doing it and the only goal is to finish it--which I know you can do.
First 5K jitters.....
Just do your best and you will be fine. Please come back and let us know how it goes.
