turned off after 5k

Ive been running for over a year now and just did my 1st 5k yesterday.  Although I was pleased with my time (28:04) and really enjoyed my runs with the idea of a race in the back of my mind, I didnt have much fun and I did not enjoy the pep-rally race atmosphere at all.  I was a bored and felt a bit out of place.

Not only did the atmosphere demotivate me from signing up for another race, the photographers put me on edge and I felt very uncomfortable when I saw an action shot of my contorted muscles and pink, flushed, open-mouthed baby face. 

I have not been discouraged to continue running after this experience, I am too selfish. But I have been discouraged from signing up for future running events (this is unfortunate because someday I hope to complete a marathon).  Is it worth it to somehow try and motivate myself to enjoy these events?

YES YES DO IT AGAIN!! This is for you not anyone else.

Focus on the most positve point. YOU did it! They didnt do it. They didn't carry you. They didn't run it for you. YOU DID IT!

Look at it from your past self. Did you ever think you would do it? Did you ever think you would reach the point where you could do this?

Think Positive!!!

If I was to stand here and say, You didn't do nothing. You barely did this. You failed flat on your face. You'd be mad right!

We are our own worst critics. Keep it up girl! Keep it going! You can do this. Don't let these things get you down. You are doing GREAT!

: ) thank you, your positive attitude is inspirational.

Hi Sandyear!

I think it's great that you did a 5K! If you're used to running mostly alone, and it's freeing for you I'd vote to continue! Maybe it was the competitive atmosphere and all the other people that gave you anxiety! I'm not too comfortable in a huge group of people! But I'd sure be proud I'd completed one 5K! Maybe if you tried getting a group of your friends who run together to all run the next 5K you all pick , you'd feel more comfortable! And you'd get more used to running in a group of people! They'd also challenge you too! But , it'd be like all your buddies were there too to root each other on! Just suggestions not anything written in stone! If you didn't like it at all, don't bother with it again if you choose! But if you'd still like to do a marathon, I'd get with a runner's group to get used to running with a group of people! Who cares what the picture looked like, it looked like someone making an effort to run a 5K! That's great! That's an accomplishment that some don't get to do! Look at the positives about it! I don't see any of the runners in the olympics who look like they're smiling all the way! They're using effort and it shows on their faces! And their pics are going around the world!!! Keep up your good work! Congratulations!!!:D

Sandyear! You did it!

The first race can be very very intimidating. When I started running, I actually decided to do a half marathon first lol! (My old roommate from college was doing it and I thought- if she can do it, so can I! I didn't really think it through much lol) It was odd inititally- I never imaged myself lining up to do a race, and it was a ginormous one too (Philly Half Marathon), and super nerve racking. But you know what- everyone started out where we were once. And most people running races aren't running to beat anyone else, they're out there to do the best they can possibly do on that day. They're running to beat their old times. I keep signing up for more races to beat myself. Because, if you push yourself, you will get stronger and faster (if that's what you want). It's important to believe in yourself and have fun! Races aren't for everyone, and if you really really hate it, don't do them. No one is there saying you have to just because you run. But it is super motivating to know you need to run because there is a race coming up and you want to be prepared to do your very best!

Just keep having fun with running. If you're not having fun, you won't want to keep running. Work yourself up to that marathon, if that's what you want. I finally ran my first one last fall, and while it totally sucked (haha!), how you will feel after accomplishing something like that is AMAZING! Not everyone can say that they have done that. Right now, you are doing more than every other person going home to sit on their couch and eat food all night long.

And for the photographers, I never look at my pictures from a race. No one does lol. They always catch you looking your worst. That is not very motivating haha, just IGNORE THEM! Take your own pictures at the end of the race, smiling big and proud!

Try running trail races. It's a very different vibe than road races, typically much more low key. Races are what motivates me to train which is ironic because when I first started running I never had any intention to enter events and wasn't interested in doing so. I've found races to be fun but I can understand they aren't everyone's cup of tea.

Original Post by jturnerx:

Try running trail races. It's a very different vibe than road races, typically much more low key. Races are what motivates me to train which is ironic because when I first started running I never had any intention to enter events and wasn't interested in doing so. I've found races to be fun but I can understand they aren't everyone's cup of tea.

I think a trail race would be more up my alley.  I train / feel more comfortable in the woods and avoid roads for multiple reasons (traffic, noise level, pedestrians and prying eyes).  Thanks for the insight.