What to wear for 5k tomorrow and need a little encouragement
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Anonymous
| I'm running my first 5k tomorrow and given the weather forecast I'm concerned my outfit choice may not be warm enough. Should I be wearing gloves? Hat? I'm also getting nervous because it took me forever to train for this - I did couch to 5k but it took me 14 weeks instead of the usual nine. I've never run in weather this cold and I'm already incredibly slow. I just know I'm going to be the last one to finish. And while I know it doesn't matter and the only person I'm really racing is myself to prove that I can do it, for some reason I'm feeling super nervous and unsure of myself. I've read all the race day tips I can find and know about stuff like pacing and lining myself up at the back of the pack. But can anyone give me any quick tips to help salvage my confidence and motivation? |
Anonymous
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You can do this! Lay out your clothes tonight. Yes, wear a hat and gloves. Remember that your body will heat up as you run. In this temp, I wear 3 layers.
Go do it! |
Anonymous
| You can do this! You will be awesome. And we both know you will not be last. Wear a hat and gloves. Do you have the cheap gloves you can discard along the route? Come back and post how awesome you were! |
Anonymous
| Not OP but I'm supposed to hike Old Rag at Shenandoah National Park tomorrow morning. Will definitely use these suggestions. |
Anonymous
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Wear running tights or athletic pants, and layer up on top with a tshirt and then something thicker over it. Agree with the cheap gloves. When you get hot, you can just carry them or leave them at a water station.
And have a great time! I always do my best runs when it's chilly, and the race day adrenaline will be amazing. Especially since you're all braving the cold together. |
Anonymous
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I ran my first 5k two weeks ago, and it was awesome! The energy is so much different than just running by yourself. I was nervous and scared too, but after completing it, I'm checking out more upcoming races. It's addictive!
A general rule is to dress as if it were 20 degrees warmer. I'm a sweaty mofo when I run, so I usually dress as if it were 30 degrees warmer. Tomorrow will be cold and windy, so I'd dress in leggings or some longer pants. A tank top, t-shirt, and light jacket or sweatshirt. Something long sleeve that you can bunch up into fists to keep your hands warm. Baseball cap if you have it. When it's cold, I usually use cheapy gloves from Target - the ones that are like 2 for $3. Get all your things ready tonight, and rock it tomorrow. You got this. Remember that no matter if you're first or last, you're A THOUSAND BILLION times more awesome than not running at all. You GOT this! |
Anonymous
| Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the votes of confidence. I'm getting excited again. I do have some cheap gloves somewhere downstairs - I'm off to dig them up. You're right, PP. no matter what happens tomorrow, it's still way more awesome than if I never ran at all. |
Anonymous
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You trained for this OP, you know you can do this. You did the work. You know what you can do. Trust in all that hard work you did, and go push yourself tomorrow.
Remember that a big part of running is all in the mind - it's how you moved forward all through Couch to 5k - but you know your body can do it now. You are ready! You can do this! 
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Anonymous
| I did it! It was hard as he'll and I had to walk art of the uphill stretch in the second mile but I finished pretty close to my training times. Thanks for the support everyone! |
Anonymous
| Congrats, OP. You're a stronger woman than I am. I was so glad that our Girls on the Run 5K was last Sunday instead of THIS Sunday! |
Anonymous
That is great! Congratulations! Today was a tough day to run with the cold and wind, and it being your first race that is a HUGE accomplishment! Way to go!
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Anonymous
| Congrats OP! I knew you'd be able to do it! |
Anonymous
| Far out, OP! Congratulations! |
Anonymous
Great job!! You earn extra awesome points for the crazy cold and wind today, and you *still* ran and finished. I don't know if I'd be able to do the same thing. You ROCK! You should also frame your first bib! |
Anonymous
| You go, OP!!!! That's fantastic!! |