I'm running a 5K romorrow (Input please)

[MissMillie]

I run pretty slowly. In fact, I make the tortoise look good. The last 5K I did, it took me 44:35 (probably a little less than that because I was the last one to go across the START line). I'd like to try to pick up my speed.

What do you think should be my plan of action.

1) start off considerably faster than I normally would, and if I end up needing to walk, so be it.

2) start off at my regular pace but try to dig and and really pick up the pace near the end.

3) try to run the whole thing just a little bit faster than I normally would.

[tazkcmo]

1. Take a Cab ntf

[Beware the Beast Man]

2. I've never done this before,

but i'd say pace yourself. #2 sounds like the safe choice. Good luck!

ps- small world- I'm entering my first walk-a-thon tomorrow!

[kick-ass-bob]

3. do not do option 1. that will end up worse.

I think option 2 is your best bet, just make sure that you will have something left in the tank for the last km or so.

I'm assuming that you haven't done any special training over what you did for the last one you ran. If you have, you may be able to run a faster pace and still have the extra kick at the end.

[tazkcmo]

4. No. Really. Take a cab ntf

[Nikia]

5. Probably option 2

When I ran competively, I tended to run a more symetrical race. I started off fast to get position for the first mile. Then I settled into a pace for the second mile. On the third mile, I sped up a bit and moved up on people who were tired. I really kicked it in when I saw the finish line if I had anything left. In my case though, I regularly ran longer than the race length in training for endurance training. I also had speed training. It actually became easier for me to run than walk as my dad found out when he picked me up with a side stitch walking 2 miles from the library to a family picnic ("You can run, but not walk.").
If it is still a challenge for you to complete the whole race running, don't start out too fast. If you feel good later in the race, speed up at the end. Good luck.
Maybe someday I'll run again too.

[MissMillie]

6. I don't expect I'll pass anybody--except the walkers

I can jog 4 miles w/o stopping to walk, so 3 is pretty much given, unless I really over-do it out of the gate.

My only hope is to run this one a little faster than the last one--even by one minute would make me very happy.

[Nikia]

7. Definitely pick it up towards the end

Depending on how you feel, the end could be the last half of the race. Only you know what you are comfortable with.
I don't know how you train now, but if you want to get faster, you could do a couple of speed runs of shorter distances. You could go out and run one mile hard for example or you could go to the track and do a few 400m or 800m speed runs with a few minutes rest or a lap of walking in between.
I know that you are just starting off and probably have goals that are more fitness oriented rather than being competitive. I am just offering a suggestion for dropping your time. I don't mean to be pushy.

[Beer Snob-50]

8. Do your normal pace and then pick it up at the end.

Good Luck!!!

[flamingyouth]

9. I agree with option #2

Good for you for running this, and best of luck! :woohoo:

[Left Is Write]

10. I'd suggest option 2.

[WCGreen]

11. From our past exchange about the dollar bills needed for

coverage.....

I'd suggest a very very good bra......

[MissMillie]

19. got one...

It was very expensive... I might just have well used the $75.

[WCGreen]

25. You remembered.... Ah.....

And I have that safely tucked away in the inner reaches of my mind.....

[MissMillie]

30. Well, if you need to

you can whip it out from time to time. :silly:

[WCGreen]

31. I DO have a vivd imagination........

[Lilyhoney]

12. What you can do is this.

Decide what is the time you would like to finish in. Say like 43 minutes is your goal. Find 43 minutes worth of music that you can listen to while you run. Something you can keep pace with. Maybe with a faster pace at a couple different points of time to drive you thru the end of the race. I guess like one would coreograph any kind of performance.

Sorry if this is hard to understand. Good luck and keep going!

[WCGreen]

15. That is really good advice.......

[Lilyhoney]

17. I'm glad it made some sense.

And good morning.

[MissMillie]

20. not hard to understand

but I'm not sure that they allow headphones in the race (I don't know that they're NOT allowed either--just don't know either way)

[LostinVA]

22. Most races don't

[Lilyhoney]

28. No headphones?

I would not be able to do it. I need the rythem of the music to keep me focused.

Anyways, have a great time.





This thread was the first one I posted on this morning, before the tea kicked in and I was having a hard time making sense to myself.

[seemunkee]

13. Have fun and tie your shoelaces tight

run the race your comfortable with and forget where you finish.

[MissMillie]

29. Yeah, I don't care if I'm last

In fact, I'm pretty sure I will be last, and that's OK. I just want to be a little faster than I was last time.

[Jamastiene]

14. Run your normal pace and trip a few of the other runners to get

them out of your way.

:evilgrin:

[AllegroRondo]

16. If you've been training at that distance, go with #3

I normally run marathons, but the basic strategy is the same.

If you go too fast out of the gate, you will run out of steam quickly.

If you go too slow, you run the risk of falling behind and hurting yourself trying to catch up.

Find the pace you want to run at. Lets say you are aiming for 42 minutes. That means every quarter mile should take you about 3:15. Print out a small piece of paper listing your quarter mile time goals, cover in clear tape or laminate it, and tape to a wristband to wear next to your watch. As the quarter mile markers come up, you can compare them to your time and speed up or slow down as needed.

If you feel good at the last half mile, GO FOR IT and pick up your pace.

[MissMillie]

23. Ya know, I never wear a watch

but I think I'm going to stop on my way home and buy one. I think that's a great idea. Thanks!

[movie_girl99]

18. good luck to you

what a great thing to be able to do.

[LostinVA]

21. I run slow too -- Number Two is the best strategy

You'll want to take off like a rabbit because of adrenaline and people around you zooming off. DON'T DO IT!!! You will DIE.

[MissMillie]

24. I usually avoid jumping out at the start

I know that other peoples' paces will mess me up in a big way. In fact, my plan is to be at the end of the group at the start line.

[Wapsie B]

26. Good Luck!

Don't worry about being slow. I'd walk the whole way myself.

[flvegan]

27. I'd go with number 2, but

Don't "try" to pick up the pace, commit to it. Tell yourself that at the x mile point, or at the x minute point, you'll amp it up a couple notches. Maybe you'll be inspired.

When I'm biking, I take into consideration how many folks are in front of me, and make a game out of it (realistically speaking). I give myself a set number of people to pass, say 10. I keep a reward in mind for accomplishing the feat. Again, realistically. If I'm 200 lbs on a mountainbike, and I'm faced with passing a 165 lb guy on a Litespeed, and we're on asphalt, it ain't gonna happen.

Whatever you do, best of luck. You've come a long way.