Anyone who has done a 5k?

Could anyone please tell me about your experiences and beforehand training with doing 5ks?

I have recently gotten into running, I really like it. The most I've ever done all at once is a mile, but that's only because I like to time myself that way. I feel as though my stamina would let me go longer, and a little over 3 miles doesn't seem like too much to me! I really want to participate in the upcoming Race For Autism here in San Diego.

I don't have a trainer however, and I'm not a pro. I just wanted to know how much prep others have put in to these races to be able to finish them. For example, should I definitely do 5k on my own around a track beforehand? Or is my disjointed mile-at-a-time practice just as good? Plus, I'd just love to hear about your experiences!

Thank you very much.

i'd recommend working your way up to 3miles/5k on roads or trails rather than on a track; when you enter a race, there will be hills! 

that said, 5k isn't too big a challenge, and on race day you'll have adrenaline on your side.  i find that 20 minutes is kind-of a threshhold point; if i can run for 20 minutes, i can run forever (well, no marathons, yet, but...).

are you doing run/walk intervals?  that's a good place to start, but at some point--for me at least--walking becomes problematic.  instead of getting a needed recovery period, i just lose momentum.

how far off is the race?  three or four weeks should be plenty of training time.

Ideally, you want to follow a plan, like the couch to 5K plan that gets you ready to run a 5K.  You don't have time for that for the Race for Autism, as its in what, two weeks?

My advice for this first one is to run as much as you like, then walk it in!  It will be a fun experience.  You will finish, and the most important this is you enjoy yourself and NOT get injured.  I would suggest you do a programmed run/walk interval.  For example, Run 3 minutes then walk 1 minute until you get to the end.  If you don't feel like being that structured just wing it!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I JUST did my first 5k YESTERDAY! I had soooo much fun, came in at 32 mins!

I didn't follow a plan or anything; but I was already running that on the treadmill and what not.

My only advice would be to make sure you run outdoors maybe a week or so at least before...I didn't and it's a lot diff on a treadmill than outside and I wished I would have did my last run before it outside!

Enter and race! It's SUCH a good cause (my cousin is Autistic) and it'll be a ton of fun!

I did a 5k last summer and worked up to it on the treadmill and then tried it outside. I could never do the whole amount outside without stopping until race day, I guess the adrenaline is just that helpful!

I did a 5k last 2 week.. Not my first.. I did it once every year..Its a school program..wish they have it more..I didn't really do any training beforehand or anything.. But I'm trying to work out my will to start since my teacher put me in the 3k competition in april..jeez..However, it was fun.. when I won the 5k run..At one of the checkpoint, I heard a teacher telling others that I was fat before when they saw me,  the first girl who was way ahead of others and even faster than the boys who started first(sorry..i can't help to be proud..Its my first win) and secretly, I like it. HA! Laugh at their face..

guess its out of topic..sorryrrrrrryyyy

I did "couch to 5k" (you can google it) which is a walk/run program like pgeorgian mentioned.  Then a couple months later I did a 5k.  I was slow as molasses, but I did it.  Wasn't too grueling at all.

I had been running various distances between 1-2.5 miles before my first 5K last Sept.  A week before, I decide I had better at least do 3 miles once, so that I knew I actually COULD do it.  Mentally, that helped.

I just agreed to take someone's spot in a 5k this past weekend!!!

It was my first 5km race and actually probably the first time I've ever actually run an entire 5k in my life. It was a run/walk event so I knew if I had to start walking it would be okay.

I'm not an avid runner - but I do strength train and use the elliptical/crosstrainers. Occasionally I will run on the tredmill if the other machines are busy but I usually get 'bored' with cardio after 20 minutes. Sometimes I've pushed myself to 30 - but not usually running the entire time.

I managed to run the entire race (only stopping to take a sip of water at the half way mark) and finished with a time of just under 32 minutes.

Try a few longer distances before the race and don't be afraid to walk if you feel pain/stress anywhere. Make sure you have great shoes and great running form!

Good luck!

Wanted to suggest (if the course is posted) taking it on a test so you can see it for yourself.  This way if you know there's a hill close to finish then you'll save up and not be too drained.  Might give you a little confidence knowing the route too if you get behind the pack. 

Other then that, getting off the track a little will be helpful and just have fun with it!  It's a great cause and don't worry about times your first race.  Only one warning... they do get addicting!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful responses! I admire each and every one of you for accomplishing what you have, great work!

And I shall be heeding all of the advice given, mainly running outside these weeks leading up and trying longer distances. Interval training sounds good too. I am glad that this race is a run/walk. It's less time-oriented and with more emphasis on the cause. A great way to work up to a real 5k, I'd wager.

Oh, and I hope to feel the adrenaline rush not matter what. Such a fun thrill! Makes the day seem like a festival or celebration, you know what I mean?

Thanks again, and happy running!

(If anyone else has stories to share, I've really enjoyed reading them :))

Last summer I started running and did the Couch to 5K program:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.s html

It sounds like you are way past the beginning of this, but you might find the training schedule interesting.  I literally started from nothing and worked up to 5K in those 9 weeks.

I did two 5K's last fall and it was a blast!  I'm training for a 10K in May.  I guess it's a little addicting.

I agree with the previous posts mentioning hills - when you run on flat surfaces all the time, hills are tough!  I just had my first outdoor run in several months, and I certainly felt the hills!

Good luck and have fun!!

I started running about 2 and a half months ago.. and at first I could only run/jog for a couple minutes at a time on a speed of about 5.0-5.5, then I would walk for a bit, and repeat till I reached my desired time or distance

I kept at it, and began noticing more and more improvements

I heard about the "learn to run" 3 mile challenge on this site and decided to give it a try.. it trains you how to increase your endurance by getting you to run for a bit longer every week and shorten walking breaks until you can run for the entire distance

In the beginning I could run/walk the 5k/3miles in about 38 minutes... BUT now I can run a 5k in 28 minutes!!

as well I started doing a lot of interval training, where I run at a medium speed of about 6.0mph for 2 min then increase the speed to about 8.0mph and sprint for one minute... doing this has increased my endurance dramatically, and I can now RUN for OVER an HOUR at a speed of 6.0 or HIGHER!! (average around 6.5-7.5mph)

 the better you get at it, the more fun and addicting it becomes.. I never understood before why people would ''want'' to run, but now I do! it's awesome, and that "runner's high" is incredible!!

started training for 5k's to get myself back in the game of running, then did a 10 mile race (which is coming up again, so i can't wait to see how much my time will improve after a year) and now i am doing my second marathon at the end of the month. i always find that if you have something to train for you will keep going with running. if i didn't have an event coming up, i probably wouldn't run. oh, and by no means am i fast or breaking any records. i like to do them just for the satisfaction of doing them. and seeing people on the street and telling them that i just got done running 14 miles helps the ego a little bit. good luck, and if you feel self conscience at all, just think about that you aren't concerned with anyone else and are concentrating on your run, so no one is looking at you, they are looking at their watches!!! 

most importantly GOOD LUCK

started training for 5k's to get myself back in the game of running, then did a 10 mile race (which is coming up again, so i can't wait to see how much my time will improve after a year) and now i am doing my second marathon at the end of the month. i always find that if you have something to train for you will keep going with running. if i didn't have an event coming up, i probably wouldn't run. oh, and by no means am i fast or breaking any records. i like to do them just for the satisfaction of doing them. and seeing people on the street and telling them that i just got done running 14 miles helps the ego a little bit. good luck, and if you feel self conscience at all, just think about that you aren't concerned with anyone else and are concentrating on your run, so no one is looking at you, they are looking at their watches!!! 

most importantly GOOD LUCK