Advice for an imminent 5k.

[SunnyMummy]

Hi all,

I'm mid week 7 presently so am just about, somehow, really slowly but proudly running the 25 minuters. I know next week it goes up to 28 then 30 mins for week 9 - exciting stuff & now it feels completely achievable!

But, I have my first 5k challenge, a Race for Life coming up on 18th June. Yes technically I will just about have reached week 9 by that point but I am fairly certain that my snails-pace running is not going to complete 5k in 30 minutes. In fact, having done a test run on a treadmill this week, I reckon I'm plodding along at about 8kph so it would take me 37 mins all being well. Do I just go for it & push for the extra time & distance? Or should I stick to the programme in the sense of not running beyond 30 mins? I don't want to undo any of my good work.

Thanks in advance x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You stick with the programme.. do not push.. you can walk bits of your 5K or run some bits and walk others... no one will even notice...there will be folk there taking a much longer time... you will be there and you will love it.. in your own time and at your own pace.

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss. I've done them before but very much as a walker that jogged a bit lol. This time I want to run as much as I can. I do recall however that there are some bits of the course where it's almost impossible to run anyway as it gets bottle-necked or the terrain is very uneven, so you're right, no one will notice if I'm not running those bits. Ok, great, I feel relieved. 😌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SunnyMummy]

You are going to be brilliant! Look nonchalant and relaxed as you slow down to a gentle jogette x

[Millsie-J Graduate]

If you add in your warm up walk and warm down walk you wont be so far off 5 k. Maybe around 4.5k ! So stick with the programme and just walk when you need to. Its going to be great, enjoy!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Agree with the above, do your planned run and walk the rest. Good luck

[mixindave Graduate]

stick with your 8km pace the whole way, further down your running adventure you will just naturally get faster.

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to mixindave]

Thanks, I'm hoping that's the case! Weirdly I think I ran rightly faster this morning as I was battling a head-wind in parts whilst pushing my baby in her jogger buggy. I had to add a bit to my route to do the cool down walk lol.

[KKThomas Graduate]

You will probably find that on the day the atmosphere will keep you going and you will be able to complete the 5k. If you are struggling then you can always walk the last part. Lots of people who do race for life (me included) can't run anywhere near the 5k and so walk some or all of it,so you won't be the only one. Just have fun on the day and enjoy running for a brilliant cause.

[SunnyMummy Graduate in reply to KKThomas]

Thank you!