Finished the Race for Life

[Sarah981]

So last night I ran a Race for Life 5k. It was my first race, and first time running in a large group. While it was pretty congested at the start, it wasn't as bad as it could have been considering how many people there were.

It was hot, but we managed to avoid the forecasted thunder/rainstorms, which didn't hit until we were in the car on the way home. Good timing!

New PB!! Officially 33:40 on the finish line (also a PB) but 32:53 from when I actually crossed the start line!!!

So first medal of hopefully many more.

This race was the reason I started the Couch to 5k to begin with, all the way back in January. Now I need to continue training for the 10k in October I've signed up for. At least that should be cooler on the day, and with less people.

[Shireenjoon Graduate]

Well done! That's great and I'm sure you'll do just as well on the 10k. 👏🏽

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to Shireenjoon]

Thanks

[sparky66 Graduate]

Amazing time for your first race!! I'm taking part in my first race for life also.. 10th of July.. quite daunted by it as ive only ran one 5k on my recent graduation.. I will try to do 3 or 4 before the race intending one a week.. but was so slow at 50 mins!!

Thanks for the post..very helpful insight on what to expect

Congratulations great cause and well done!

Wow 10k.. very brave !

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to sparky66]

Thanks.

You've still got a month, that's plenty of time to fit in a few more 5k's to prepare. As long as you're running at the right pace for you, it doesn't matter what that speed is. Speed will come with time. My first 5k in March was something like 37:10, and in the heat my run's have been getting shorter and slower.

Other advice:

Focus on your pace at the start. With the other people around, you're more likely to run too quickly.

Be careful of runners suddenly walking in the middle of the path, and walkers who've got mixed up with the runners at the start.

If it's warm, take water and sun tan lotion, and be prepared to go slower in the heat.

Good luck!

[DiamonteSandal in reply to Sarah981]

This is good advice! My one bugbear with my R4L on Sunday was the number of people who started out as 'joggers' to run out through the start, and by the first bend into the trees slowed to a walk and caused a massive bottleneck!

[Hidden]

Well done, great time too 😊 that 10k is in the bag 😊

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations on your Race for Life event and for getting that first piece of bling! Plenty of time to bridge to 10k by October, and as you say, it will be a lot cooler by then too! Well done 🙂,

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks! I'm working on increasing one run a week, every 2 weeks by about five minutes. Currently up to 6.5k in 45-ish, so I'm glad I've got plenty of time 😀

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to Sarah981]

Very sensible way to do it too. Good luck!🙂

[DiamonteSandal]

That's a fantastic time! Well done

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to DiamonteSandal]

Thanks

[NaughtyNanna Graduate]

Really well done! In all that heat too!☀️😀

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to NaughtyNanna]

Thanks! It was really hot ☀️🔥. There was one point where I hadn't put the lid back on my water bottle properly so it skilled over my hands. I then put them against my forehead and neck to cool me down a bit before I sorted out the lid.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Brilliant - well done and a really good time too!

[Sarah981 Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks!