If you are following the Couch to 5K plan or the beginner's running program from Runner's World, you are going to be ready to race your first 5K. It is always good to get a few tips from seasoned runners.
Here's some advice from the readers and runners over at Runner's World:
- Sign up! You can't run a race if you're not there. Here is a race locator and you can surely find a 5K close to you.
- Eat a bit before the race, but keep it light. A bagel, a banana or peanut butter toast will help fuel your race run. Most races provide water and snacks at the finish line.
- Don't skip the warm-up. Jog for 10 to 15 minutes on the race course to familiarize yourself with the course conditions as well as to get your blood pumping.
- Have fun. Running can be very social and 5Ks are generally low key events.
- Finish strong and celebrate! When you see the finish line, kick your pace into high gear and give it all you've got. Cross the line and smile. You just ran your first race.
Do you have any advice to add? Share it in the comments section below.
Kit Heath
I signed up for my 5K in May!! So excited!!
1Just remember to keep it slow and steady so you don't injure yourself!!
Don't have orange juice before a run!
2I ran my first 5k last summer and it was SO much fun. And this is coming from a running hater.. haha! I'm just not a good runner so for me to do it was a big deal.
I would suggest too that you pick a 5k with a great cause. The one I ran was to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project which builds homes and helps our troops who've been wounded. It was so inspiring because many of the runners were soldiers and Marines who had been wounded, I ran next to someone with an artificial leg and he kicked my butt!!
I'm so excited to do it again this year and I'm aiming for the 10k now.
Tidal - Why not drink orange juice?
3If you are intimidated do a social training program. You don't have to shell out all kinds of money like Team in Training or local running clubs if you look around and they can be a lot of fun. The Nike Run Hit Remix race is a great example... in my area weekly training runs left from a bar and we all even got a free beer and pizza when we were done for the night.
4Free beer and pizza! I AM THERE!
5Make sure to stretch!
6MOTIVATING MUSIC!!!
7I'm doing the couch to 5k program and my first race is march 29th, i'm so pumped!
It's a really good intro to running program and lets you build up really slowly. I ran two miles last Friday after entire winter on the couch!
michlny, are you still allowed to listen to music during races? I thought they banned it...
8I'm doing my first 5k March 16th! I'm excited and nervous!
9If only...ha.
10I am doing my first tomorrow woot!
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