My First 5k - Shamrock Run

[Theb]

I completed my first 5k over Saint Patrick's day weekend. I hadn't actually run that distance before the race, but I was registered so I decided to try it. I ended up doing a 32 minute 5k, which is very slow, but I didn't have to stop or walk. I ended up sprinting the last .10 mile because I had gone so slow and held back so much out of fear of running out of gas.

Running with 12,000 people and milling around with 32,000+ was an amazing experience. I am incredibly happy with my decision to start running. My time is a little disappointing, but four months ago I probably couldn't have run for 3 minutes straight and I'm only going to improve.

This is the race http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/

I'm registering for an 8k next month and once again I won't have completed the distance prior to running the race, but I feel pretty confident that excitement and the crowd (and holding back) will get me over the hump again.

 

[Megatomic]

Congrats Theb. Your times will improve, but you already have the right attitude it seems. And the race day excitement is soooo cool, it makes all the effort worthwhile imho.

 

[drteming]

First a 5 K. Then another one. Then longer distances. Then you're jonesin' hard on days you can't run. Welcome to the addiction.

 

[Miscthree]

xK Runs are addictive for sure and are the gateway to larger runs.

 

[ichy]

Congrats. I did my first 5k a year ago. Earlier this month I did a 5 mile race and in a few weeks I've got a 10k (ugh) coming up. Self-improvement feels great.

 

[neocpp]

Nice job. 12,000 people is a lot! I think the largest race I've been in was 800 or so, and the start was just terrible. I see you're already itching to do an 8k. Just be aware that going from 5k to 8k can be a lot harder than you think if you're not prepared for it (that extra 3k actually does a lot to the tone of the race). I would do at least a few 3-5 mile tempo runs just to get an idea of what's going to happen.

 

[RedCOMET]

Congrats OP.

I'm planning to do a 5k in May. Signing up to do a race has motivated to get my ass in shape. I think my next challenge will be a mud run tho.

 

[Megatomic]

Congrats OP.

I'm planning to do a 5k in May. Signing up to do a race has motivated to get my ass in shape. I think my next challenge will be a mud run tho.

The big mud runs are not as epic as they look. Find a muddy trail race for a really good time.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

OP,

My first 5K was on my own. I did about 10 minute miles. I wouldn't be disheartened. You did well. You shoudl be glad that you managed to pace yourself. Sometimes the extra adrenaline can make you pace yourself to fast early on.

I have yet to do an 8K but I am happy to report that 4 months after that first 5K, I can now do sub 9 minute miles no problem. I don't even know how it happened. I went from 10 minute miles to 9 minute miles in a bout a month. Right now, I am doing 8:45 minutes/mile.

Just keep running, pace will improve. Oh stretching is important. I do after each run. not sure if before or after is best.

As pace picks up, you find your new week points. Quad, halmstring, glutes, calves, lung capacity, heart, etc. Right now, I need to do strength training on my calves. They tire out the easiest at sub 9 minute miles.

 

[Theb]

Nice job. 12,000 people is a lot! I think the largest race I've been in was 800 or so, and the start was just terrible. I see you're already itching to do an 8k. Just be aware that going from 5k to 8k can be a lot harder than you think if you're not prepared for it (that extra 3k actually does a lot to the tone of the race). I would do at least a few 3-5 mile tempo runs just to get an idea of what's going to happen.

The start actually went really well. Overall the race was very well run. They tried to get people to queue up based on their mile pace time. Naturally some people were jackasses and jumped in the first queue, but ended up walking within the first mile, but overall everyone behaved and was considerate.

I took your advice and did 4.2 miles this weekend. My pace came out to embarrassing 12 minute miles, but this was my third straight day of running and I've found that I'm much stronger after 2 days of rest. I'll try to get one 5 mile run in before the big day. With some more practice and some rest I think I'll be able to do around 10 minute miles on the big day. Good enough for now.

It was nice to see what a longer distance felt like and see that I will be able to complete it.

OP,

My first 5K was on my own. I did about 10 minute miles. I wouldn't be disheartened. You did well. You shoudl be glad that you managed to pace yourself. Sometimes the extra adrenaline can make you pace yourself to fast early on.

I have yet to do an 8K but I am happy to report that 4 months after that first 5K, I can now do sub 9 minute miles no problem. I don't even know how it happened. I went from 10 minute miles to 9 minute miles in a bout a month. Right now, I am doing 8:45 minutes/mile.

Just keep running, pace will improve. Oh stretching is important. I do after each run. not sure if before or after is best.

As pace picks up, you find your new week points. Quad, halmstring, glutes, calves, lung capacity, heart, etc. Right now, I need to do strength training on my calves. They tire out the easiest at sub 9 minute miles.

I wasn't planning to tackle an 8k so soon, but I was talking to some friends and they were like "Oh, you've got to do this one with us" and "this one" doesn't have a 5k option. It looks like a lot of fun though.

Congrats on your speed increases and thanks for the advice and encouragement.

 

[slightlyhuman]

nice thread. looking to do my first 5k soon, may i'm thinking. my gf did a half a few months ago but she is a bad ass mofo.

just getting into running. feels great.