Do not discount something like 5k's

[Jim_M]

I'm not a runner, and due to a bad ankle injury a few years back, probably never will be a runner.  BUT, I like doing 5k's.   I did 6 in 2013.   I have one starting at 9am on 1/1 in fact!  A 5k is about 3.1 miles.

Most events like this are VERY "walker friendly" (Just let the runners go first).  They are often for a good cause - the last two I did were for the American Diabetic Association, for example.  Also, you get timed (and maybe a t-shirt).  They are actually a good motivation for me, as I sign up in advance, and therefore I am committed.  The "timing" part also helps, as I know what I was "timed at" for the previous events, and ALWAYS try to best those numbers.

Don't worry about feeling out of place, as there will always be some folks will run the course in nano seconds (it seems), but it's a good excuse to help a worthy cause, get exercise, and often, do it in a place you might not have known about before.  And then, there is that t-shirt!

[keltie]

Jim how did your run go this morning?... I started off running 5k's and love them! In fact most of my mid week runs are still 5k (with half of it up a very steep hill).  I do a mixture of 5k's and 5 mile runs in the year with my daughter, she is 13.  But when I run for myself or with a friend I go for 10k and one half marathon every year.  I like you need to sign up in advance to keep the motivation going and ensure that I hit the streets.

In 2013 I did my first 10k fell run, and even through it is in the area I normally train they used different paths but the was a different challenge. 

Keep going with the 5k's and also supporting the charities....again that is what I love.  Our last run was a Santa 2 mile run in early December for charity, where every runner (all 500) wore Santa suits and doge were dressed up as well.

SAN

[runnergirl318]

Happy New Year Jim!!!

How'd you do this morning?  Did you beat your last 5K time?  Are you somewhere warm or did you have to bundle up?  What's next?!?!

[Jim_M]

I'm in Phoenix, so I got these messages while I was still waiting for the start!  It wasn't my best time, but did ok   And FAR more people there than I expected for 1/1 - and a few that partied a bit too much last night, I think  

[keltie]

Well done!

Great job done!

[LilBudyWizer]

I won the last race I was in. High score wins, right?

[cmatzes]

I know I ran my first one back in Oct. wieghing in around 300 pounds at the time and loved it. It felt awesome to set a goal of running the whole time and be able to finish, not to mention the motivation of running with others helped me keep my pace up and I beat my training times by nearly 10 minutes.

[Hats26]

You beat your 5k time by 10 minutes?! My PB for a 5k is 26.23. My first 5k with Park Run was today and my time has dropped a fair amount to 27.52. I would like to become faster again but to not over do things as well. I cannot do another Park Run until late April. I love that they keep your statistics. I was 11th within my age group & gender I though, I think. 

[donnarud]

Thanks for posting this! I just registered for my first 5k. Its in one week and I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I know I  will finish, but will probably walk more than run. I've been a walker for years, but recently started running. 

[Jim_M]

I've done about ten 5k's in the last 18 months (and two 4.2 mile events).  ALL have been "walker friendly".  Just keep in mind that as you will be slower than others, let the hard core runners start first, and stay to the right.  My current walking pace is about 4mph, and I actually came in first for males in my age group at one event! (I was the only male in my age group   )

I find I actually walk faster at things like 5k's, as I spot someone ahead of me, and work to catch up/pass that person.  At your first 5k, I'd suggest that you do not bring something like an iPod, as there is stuff going on around you that you need to hear, like someone coming up behind you looking to pass....  And while some 5k's have water along the course, some don't, so you may want to bring your own water bottle.  And when someone gives you a bib, it's not for Lobster, but has a number on it!  

[CakeHenn]

I did my first 5k on Jan 11th of this year.  I've never been a runner but so happy I did.  I started training for it in mid dec and when I started I could not even run a quarter mile without stopping to walk.  But I slowly built up and on race day I actually ran the entire course.  It was hard but now running that distance is easy.  Since that first race I did another 5k and then stepped up and did two 10ks.  In May I actually did a Half Marathon.  I'm no where near the times of the top runners but each race I feel like I'm getting stronger and faster.  It's pretty amazing what you can do if you put in the effort.  Each race gave me a goal and a target to shoot for...it kept me training.  Now that summer is here the races are fewer but I'm going to stick with it.  I actually hope to do another 5k sometime within the next month or two to beat my personal best.