First event done!

[Runnf]

Somehow managed the 5k at the New Forest Marathon today, after starting c25k in May. I ran slow (s l o w) but steady & managed the whole thing without stopping. It's true what people say - everyone starts out fast & i had to be stubborn to keep to my pace (8.30-9min per km), but it paid off. Lots of people run-walking, plus some speedy ones, beautiful scenery but i was too busy concentrating on my feet to really notice. Thanks everyone for your posts on here - as a mostly lurker, they have been very useful & inspiring.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Seems to have gone very well for your run today, slow and steady is the name of the game and you stuck to that, well done 😀 🏃

[Runnf Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! Doing 5k on a new-to-me course was harder than my well known route, but I'm really pleased.

[MelwynD Graduate]

Congrats! I have more or less the same pace as you, and tell myself it's about endurance, rather than speed . Btw, did you do the warm up brisk walk during the run, or before it?

[Runnf Graduate in reply to MelwynD]

Thank you! Yup, we have to run far longer than those lazy speedsters who are done in 20 mins

I wanted to include my (our!) speed as I know sometimes it seems like the whole world is faster. But I know there are plenty of others in our gang, & what's slow for someone else is the best i can manage & still keep form for that long. To actually answer your question, I did a load of stretches & a bit of gentle jogging-on-the spot before the race started.

[MelwynD Graduate in reply to Runnf]

Thanks. I'm doing my first 10K (or any K for that matter) in 2 weeks and I was thinking I'll look a little silly doing a 5 min brisk warm up walk when the race starts, and everyone else is galloping away....lol

[Runnf Graduate in reply to MelwynD]

There was an organised warm up at my event. I didn't do it because I'd done my own & didn't want to fling myself around doing star jumps to music with the crowd in case i hurt myself at the last minute like a pratt, but there might be something like that which suits you - otherwise there were lots of people at mine pacing the field before we started - i reckon that was them doing their warm up. You won't look silly walking around beforehand. And good luck! I think you'll enjoy it

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

Well done Runnf & good luck MelwynD!

As for warming up during or before starting I’m sure it’s entirely up to you - you often see pros preparing by doing their own ‘thing’ and as we’re all diff who is to say that the pros who finish strongly in a race but come from somewhere near the back haven’t done something similar (their version of a warm up during the race) 🤗 x (Hope that makes some sense lol!)