Do not overdress. I ran a 5K with a friend and it was her first. It was a chilly morning and she showed up in sweats with nothing under them! She was dying by the end because she was overheated.


I agree with a short run outside a couple of days before; same clothes and light breakfast on race day.

Have a great run!

Anonymous wrote:I am running my first 5k in November, and the question I have is, could I get lost? I expect to be one of the slow ones and worry that if the course isn't well marked that I'll end up wandering down the wrong street or something. Maybe I'll find out the course ahead of time and see if I can do a practice test.

I doubt you will get lost. The races usually have things marked out pretty well. Also, just follow the runners around you.......even if you walk the entire way you should be good to go with people following the same course.

Also, keep in mind, with a 5K course you will be able to see most of the course pretty easily.

Do it at your pace and enjoy.

~N~

I am running my first 5k in November, and the question I have is, could I get lost? I expect to be one of the slow ones and worry that if the course isn't well marked that I'll end up wandering down the wrong street or something. Maybe I'll find out the course ahead of time and see if I can do a practice test.

Don't be embarrassed to walk for a while if you feel over your head.

My only advice (as others have given you great stuff) would be to try to run 1-2x this week outside. I regularly do both - run outside and run on a treadmill at my gym. Outside is different - you have hills, wind, humidity, etc. And no pacing mechanism like a treadmill. So if you don't run outside often (I'm only assuming this based on your post), then I'd do one 3 mile run outside (at least) before your 5K.

Have fun!

Not sure of the steps, but I think it is 3.1 miles

How many steps is 5K? GL op

Anonymous wrote:Agree with all of the above! Just wanted to say good luck and have fun!

Agree with all the above too! Enjoy it, take it in as you run - the scenery, the camaraderie with the other runners, the energy of the crowd. And be proud of your effort!

Agree with all of the above! Just wanted to say good luck and have fun!

Line up in the coral depending on how fast of a runner you are, even if the race organizers don't do this for you. Fast in front, slow in back, walkers behind them.
Everyone starts out fast, because of adrenaline - remember to "run your race" even if this means you must slow down to keep running. No one is looking at you, no one is judging you - you do you, and don't worry about anyone else. If you have to stop to walk for a couple seconds, hundredths of a mile, or half the darn race - you do you.
I have yet to be the last one finishing, and I'm a s.l.o.w. runner
Have fun, good luck and enjoy, take a moment or two to soak it all in.

Don't run the day before.

Jog a little before your race to warm up. Arrive with enough time before hand to do that.

Wear the same clothes you always wear to run. No cute new top or brand new socks.

Eat the same breakfast you do before runs. Nothing new.

Eat something for dinner the night before that you've had before. Don't try anything new or heavy. Carbo loading the night before is not necessary for a 5k.

Don't stress if you don't get enough sleep the night before the race. It's super common due to nerves and you'll have plenty of adrenaline to get you through.

Smile and have fun!!!

I am running my first 5k this weekend. I have been running regularly on the treadmill but recently got off track bc of illness. What are your tips to be ready for this weekend? Run every day/every other day? Do I run the day before?

I'm not looking to win the race or anything...just set myself up for a decent event.