Warming up before race?

[westbeast]

I've always just used the first mile or so as my warm-up for the 10Ks and HMs that I've done.  I have my first 5K in a few weeks and am thinking I should probably do a little running before the race starts.

How much of a warm-up do you do before a 5K?  How much time do you leave between ending your warm-up and race start time?  

[gt7301b]

I usually run at least a mile for a 5K, but I've run as many as 3 miles, depending on my workout plan. I usually warm-up 45 minutes or so before the race because I need time to go to the bathroom after I've done my warm-up. If I didn't need to allow bathroom time I'd do my warm-up closer to the race start.

[boston340]

I usually do 1 mile warm-up before any training runs or races.

[al320]

Depends on how much time i have, usually 2-3 miles.

[taratru]

My best 5Ks come when I get at least 2 miles of warm up in.

[gumi]

I do 25 min (3ish miles) for most 5Ks. I find that the older I get, the longer this I need. A few years ago, I only needed 2 miles. During the last 5 minutes, I will do strides.

I try to finish about 5 minutes before the start, I stay loose with dynamic stretching.

I know a lot of people who like to run the course as their warm-up because then not only do they warm up, but they know exactly what to expect. I prefer to have no idea what is out there, lol.

[Deleted]

None. Other than a couple of fast jogs in the spot, I just start running. I don't know what I'm doing though, I'm a complete hack.

[boston340]

Hhnnm I'm thinking I need to rethink my warmup plan after reading these responses!

[emilyj]

It generally takes me about 2 miles to get warmed up and feel good.

[shauni27]

I usually do like 1/2 a mile...that has worked for each PR I have received and the one time I did a 3 mile warm up I crapped out on my 5K (and ran out of my inhaler...) so I stick to half a mile. Not very strong logic...

[pamela]

I'm not really a long distance runner so my warm up is shorter than what a lot of people put here. If I did 2 miles, there goes my race. The longest I've done was about 1.25 to get to a race site, but then I had a while there to recover. Typically I just do enough to feel the change in my legs.

[cinco]

I do a slow mile or two to warm up.

[clseale]

Ditto everyone else. At least 2 miles is ideal.

[emuni04]

For a 5K, none. I probably should, though. I do try to do a lot of walking around to get my muscles warmed up pre-race.

[greysgirl]

I am doing a 5K tomorrow and I plan on running to the start of the race, about 1.5 miles from my house.