My pace is typically 11:30-12:30, so no, people won't laugh at you
For walking breaks, are you using them now? For my first 5k (which, 4 years, multiple 5ks and a half later, is still my fastest time...wtf), I just did 90 seconds when I hit each mile marker/water station.
I don't listen to audiobooks, but do listen to podcasts....I just use the podcast app, so I'm no help there.
Good luck and have fun!
Edit: my husband and dog always meet me at the finish.
You can do this. No one will laugh at you. Most races have a variety of different levels. I don't do walk breaks but there can be a great tool for lots of runners. Google the Galloway method. There are varying intervals of walk/run that you could try.
It depends on the course as far as your H and DD. If you want to hang out with them afterwards and the distance from the finish and the course is far then you could tell them to go to the finish. Or midway through and then they could meet you afterwards.
Try not to stress too much. Running is supposed to be fun and everyone starts somewhere. Just have fun and forget the rest.
Post by bostonmichelle on Jul 11, 2014 7:42:12 GMT -5
Congratulations on finishing C25K.
No one will laugh at you, if they do they can go eat shit. Last night I ran a 5k, the first place winner who ran it in 18-19 mins, did a cool down/added more miles by running the last tenth of a mile cheering everyone on that came in. As her running clubmates finished they went with her.
I've done walk breaks before and even last night because it was so warm and I needed to get my breathing back into place. When I first started I would do a 30 second walk break or so every .5 miles, then moved it up to every mile, then did one at the middle. Last night I went in and said I'd walk the water stations which ended up being at the 1 and 2 mile markers, which I needed. I usually will spot something and say I'll walk until that tree or the end of that driveway or whatever.
Have your DH and DD be there wherever you want them to be. Usually my DH hangs at the start/finish so he can watch me go off and then when I come back in.
I generally listen to music so no help on the audiobooks.
Good luck! Congratulations! Please report back on how you did.
I think you'll be really, really surprised at yourself when you get caught up in the excitement of the race. Think about it this way-.3 miles is going to be what, 4 minutes? Break it down mentally, find someone to watch/keep up with, and you've got this. I promise you. If you decide you DO want to take walk breaks (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!!), I'd schedule it with whatever you think you'll need. I'm also bad about if I walk, I don't want to continue, so having something beeping at me telling me I need to run is nice.
People won't laugh at you!!
I'd have them meet you at the finish, camera in hand
I don't listen to anything, I enjoy the peace and quiet.
Post by shellfish26 on Jul 11, 2014 7:53:42 GMT -5
Congratulations on your accomplishment! You are going to have a great time at the race, and I am certain that you will be surprised at the boost that the race excitement gives you!
Just a suggestion- you may want to check the race rules. Some races prohibit the use of headphones and just about all of them strongly discourage it, especially if parts of the race go on public roadways.
But above anything....have fun! Seeing that finish line is going to be a great feeling!
Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm going to check the rules again. I know they said no hydration packs (which I assume is the tiny water bottle with hand strap I carry on my runs), and that sort of freaked me out, since there is only one water station.
I'd check on the water if you are worried. I know I've seen that before and they mean the camelbak water backpacks and not the handheld ones.
Everyone else has already given great advice for the race, so I won't comment on that.
I LOVE listening to audio books while running. I get mine through Torrent sites, but other sources include Audible.com and your library (many libraries have download access). When running, I prefer to either read easier books (I enjoyed the Shopaholic series, Hunger Games and Harry Potter) or books that you've read before. I find it hard to concentrate on new, more difficult books. My favourite author is Stephen King, so I've read a lot of his books while running, but everyone has their own preferences.
Everyone else has already given great advice for the race, so I won't comment on that.
I LOVE listening to audio books while running. I get mine through Torrent sites, but other sources include Audible.com and your library (many libraries have download access). When running, I prefer to either read easier books (I enjoyed the Shopaholic series, Hunger Games and Harry Potter) or books that you've read before. I find it hard to concentrate on new, more difficult books. My favourite author is Stephen King, so I've read a lot of his books while running, but everyone has their own preferences.
+1
I get all of my audio books through the library. It seriously makes the time fly by when you're running/walking.
Are you on Goodreads? If so, PM your name and I'll add you and then you can see all the audio books I've listened to while running. If not, I can copy a list here.
Here is a list of fiction books to get you started. I listen to a lot of business books too and can list some out for you if you are interested.
Gone with the Wind (this is long by my all time favorite book) Looking for Alaska (John Green) Calling Me Home (Julie Kibbler) Fault in Our Stars (John Green) Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand) The Storytelly (Jodi Picoult) The View From Saturday (E.L. Konigsburg) Tell the Wolves I'm Home (Carol Brunt Rifka) Orphan Train (Christina Baker Kline) Let's Pretend This Never Happened (Jenny Lawson) On the Island (Tracy Garvis-Graves) Eleanor and Park (Rainbow Rowell) Rules of Civility (Amor Towles)
'eh my first 5k was a 12:20 pace. No one laughed, I wasn't even close to last, and my family was so proud of me. You've got more speed than I do right now, seriously you'll be in great company at that pace. Just go, have fun, have your fam wait at the finish and be proud of yourself!
As for the .3 miles you've not yet run, you totally can do that. My best advice is to walk water stations because it's easier to drink the water, you won't slip on the cups people throw on the ground, and it's a 15 second walk break.
Don't worry about the .3 miles. The magic (adrenalin) of race day will get you through the race. Walk if you need to, you will be able to run again:)
Nobody will laugh at you, people walk entire 5ks all the time.
I like being at the start/finish if they are the same place on the course so they can see you multiple times. Check out the course map and see if they can walk to a close point on the course from the start.
I listen to dorky MM podcasts like Clark Howard on my long runs. If I need a pick me up in a race or I am trying to run fast I always go with music.
Post by mccallister84 on Jul 11, 2014 9:13:08 GMT -5
Welcome! I did my first 5k in March and finished in 41 minutes. I was far from last.
I have since upped my training and my times have gotten faster but I still run soooooo much faster during a race than on a training run. I raced last Sunday and the Monday before I tried to go all out on my 3 miles training run and still was 40 seconds 5 days later at the race.
I'm like you in that once I give in to the walk I have a hard time running again, so I really try to wait as long as possible before I give in to a walk break. I do walk through the water stations because I'm not coordinated enough to run and drink at the same time.
Post by fluffycookie on Jul 11, 2014 9:40:06 GMT -5
You won't last with that pace! I run 13/mile and I've yet to be last, close, but not last...lol! I would have your MH and son meet you at the finish. DS loved watching me run across the finish line the time they came.
I've just started running again after being sick for almost 2 months so I have been taking a 1 minute walk break every 15-20 minutes which helps me get my breathing under control again and drink some water.
Post by wildfloweragain on Jul 11, 2014 9:50:47 GMT -5
You won't be close to last, and everyone is worried about themselves, not laughing at others. .3 is not a big deal, and you can walk it if you have to.
If there are any hills, I generally plan my walking to line up with going up hill:) Otherwise, I have done walking after water stations. I have recently changed that, however, because I tend to get cramps if I take the water. I now save water for the ends. Family at finish line or right before.
Post by bluedaisyus on Jul 11, 2014 12:37:38 GMT -5
You're faster than me! I always do walk breaks, I have my RunKeeper app set up to let me know at certain intervals that I can walk and that it's time to get my butt moving again. You will rock this!
I'm getting back into running right now I and schedule walk breaks. Right now I'm up to 3 minutes on 1 off and it's really helpful to not only feeling successful but easing back into running. And building back my fitness. Ain't no shame in walk breaks!