Just registered for my first ever 5k!!!!

I am soooooooo excited!!!

Right now I workout about 5 times a week but I rotate between running, elliptical, and weights all on different days.  When I do run I do it for 40-45 minutes and about 4 miles, at 6.0 or 6.5 mph.  So I am not too worried about the 5k (3.3 miles) as far as distance.  HOWEVER, the treadmill is flat and the race course is hilly.... so I am a little nervous about how that will effect me.  I think my main goal will be just to keep a jogging pace the whole time.   

Any suggestions for how I should prepare for this?  Just keep doing my regular schedule?  Run outside a few times on hills?  Any tips for first timers?  Thanks :)

definitely get outside.  the treadmill is nothing like running real hills, so you'll want to prepare yourself.

i'm ready for a 5k, too, but can't find one in my area :(

thanks, deely.  there's nothing within 800kms of me ;)

meh - i'm not that invested in this community.  i'll just run by myself 'til spring ;)

Congratulations on your registration!  I just ran my first 5K race on labor day weekend; and it was so much fun.  Do yourself a favor and run outside a few times to prepare as running outside is much different than the treadmill.  I had only ran outside a few times and did fine; but running outside just helps you better prepare.  Also rest a couple of days and take them off from working out before your actual race. You do not want your body sore; and it needs to be well rested to do the race. It's a huge accomplishment and it makes you feel so good-keep up the good work.

i'm such a dummy; tomorrow is the terry fox run!  it wasn't listed at coolrunnings (probably because it's non-competitive).  for you non-canucks, this is one of our premier national cancer fundraising events. 

so i guess i'm doing a 5k, too!

I ran my first 10-K three years ago and used the HalHigdon.com training plans to help me get on track. I would definitely try running outside, it's just different terrain and the air feels different. I think mostly your adrenaline will get you through the first race! It seems you've got a great training base to start with, (I was a novice runner before my first race).

Good Luck!

Congrats!  I'm doing my first 5k in october!  Another GREAT site, if you're in the US, is the US track & field website.  They have a searchable database of routes, and you can make your own:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/

I was running mainly on the treadmill, using a track on occasion as well.  Now I'm trying to switch to totally outdoors, but of course it would be hot as hades today!!  I'd recommend getting information about the actual route your race will follow and running it a few times before your race.  That will prepare you more than anything else to actually run it when the time comes!  If you haven't been outdoors yet, you might not make it running the whole time the first time you go out, but don't be discouraged as all that means is you need another couple times to get used to it!

Good luck!

Look up the race course - there will probably be a map on the race's website - and run it at least once. The hills might be huge or they might be tiny, and above all it's important to run outdoors - nothing like a treadmill.

If you can't get to the race course, the least you can do is take one of your running workouts outside. Road running is different from treadmill running, and you've got to try some hills out so they won't psych you out on race day.

Hill tips: keep your rhythm the same, but take teeny tiny baby steps as you jog up the hill. You'll be going slower, but not working any harder. You can also try jogging up sideways (just point your shoulder forward instead of your chest) and see if that makes it feel any easier.

Good luck in your first 5K! I'm sure you'll do great.

Good luck and enjoy it!  I just finished my first 5km event (at the Montreal Marathon today), and it was a blast! I've only been running 5K's on my own for a bit over two months, after using the Couch to 5K program.

I had my first prolonged (although shallow) uphill on this run, but I just paced myself and all was well.

For a first event, it was a mighty euphoric finish circling into the Olympic Stadium for a 1/2 lap to the finish line with thousands of spectators applauding us on.

I've only run on dirt and grass to avoid the pounding of pavement, but I found it wasn't *that* bad - must have been the whole thing of being caught up in something new.

Now I'll have to buy a treadmil for the winter months...

Just remember, set your own pace, and walk part of the course if you have to, there's no shame in that.