First race

[WINERYDOG]

Got my first 5K race this lunchtime and looking for any last minute advice. Feeling nervous, far more than that first C25K 20min run on W5R3. Dunno whether it's because of the word 'race' or there are uphill sections; something I've never done. 🤔

[slow-farah Graduate]

Have fun and don't worry about how fast you/everyone else is going, and try not to get too excited and go off too fast (my first km at Parkrun this morning was 1 minute faster than it should have been so I need to heed my own advice!) Go and smash it! 😊

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to slow-farah]

Thanks I'm thinking of taking the C25K plus stepping up podcast I've been using to regulate myself too 🤔

[Susietirzah78 Graduate]

Just enjoy it and know that you’ve trained hard to be able to do this. Start off slow and steady. It’s easy to start off too fast when it feels like everyone else is going past you but I bet if you start off nice and easy you’ll be overtaking them at the end! Good luck!

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Susietirzah78]

Thanks. It's downhill apparently at the start so will try and keep speed in mind rather than getting carried away with gravity 😁

[Hidden]

I imagine it's a case of something new with a mixture of can I do this, should I be doing this and will I manage??? Rest assured, you can, you should and you will! It's easy to feel a bit daunted and a bit of an imposter, presuming everyone else there is a veteran and will know you're a newbie as soon as they set eyes on you. Yes, it's a new experience, but you've done the training, you have the motivation and you've definitely got spirit. Best advice is to do the first 1K/1.5K slowly to warm up those legs and then once you hit your stride it'll all happen. Now, get out there and do this!!!

[WINERYDOG Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks and yes they will easily see that I'm a novice 😁 I know I'm mentally stronger thanks to C25K even if my pace is slow and steady. I do find that after the first 10 mins I seem to settle nicely if I've not overdone it so yes I will take that first 1-1.5k slowly 👍

[Hidden in reply to WINERYDOG]

What you're forgetting is that many of them still be new too! You just think they're all marathon runners about to leave you in their wake. News flash, they're not and only the very inexperieced or very fit will bolt from the start line like they're being chased. You'll recognise the former as you pass them at around the 3.5K mark. Remember the most important piece of advice, have fun.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Its that word "race"... just think of it as just another run. You'll be fine 👍😉

[sallenson Graduate]

Take it easy, take it nice and slow to start with, chin up, chest out, smile. And watch in amazement as your reel them in on the home straight cos they went out too fast and you were wise and grown-up.

Most of all, have fun

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Take it steady. Don’t be afraid to walk the up-hills if you run out of steam - they are really hard if you haven’t done any. Not that that has ever happened to me, oh no! 🙄🤣

[Ripcurlrana71]

I’ve havent done a race yet so can only wish you luck!! I’m sure you’ll do amazingly well. Well done for putting yourself out there! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💪🏼💪🏼😊

[Crittermad Graduate]

Good luck! Will be keen to see how you get on. Thinking about looking into a park run some time soon but having all the same thoughts you just shared 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Don't race.......just enjoy yourself.