signed up for my first 5k!

[skmart2]

well, i've been trying to get back into shape and improve my overall health so i started training to run. i just signed up to do my first 5k on May 30 for the Astros Race for the Pennant. i'm still super slow and having to do the walk/run/walk thing but i seem to always do better on things when i have a real goal to meet and have to be accountable to someone/something other than myself. so, wish me luck :D

anyone have any tips for preparation and what i might expect at the actual event?

[RoadracerNC]

Work on getting down a decent runner's diet. Oatmeal is has done me well as have other things. There really isn't a whole bunch you can do between now and then to "train", so I would concentrate on strecthing and trying to become more flexibile. Continue to run/jog/walk as you normally do, but slowly start to dial down the distances as you get closer to the event. Check your shoes and make sure they're in decent shape and fit comfortably. Eat something light the morning of (again, refer to a runner's diet guide) and pound the water the day prior. I would drink a good amount of water at least 24 hours in advanced and sip on water until it's go time.

I could go on.........but then it would just be way too much information for someone who is just starting out to worry about.

Go to a local bike (bicycle) store and pick up one or two Hammer Gels. These are a great. I'd down one a good 10-15 minutes before you head out, just to give you a little bit of energy and calories to burn.

[Jay]

well, track coaches at uh and my old highschool, recommended pasta and steak the day before a race, and drink pickle juice on the day of the race.... helps with cramping

[RoadracerNC]

well, track coaches at uh and my old highschool, recommended pasta and steak the day before a race, and drink pickle juice on the day of the race.... helps with cramping

Pasta - yes
Steak - no

The best thing to help stomach cramps is to not eat too much prior to the race. Eat something light in the morning, and down one of those Hammer Gels right before its go time. But maybe pickle juice works.....:shrug:

If you must eat meat prior to a running event......chicken or fish (not fried:keke:) would be better. It's leaner......and better for you.:D

I personally believe the best thing to eat the night before a big run is spagehtti (go easy on the sauce) with WHEAT PASTA. The wheat pasta is better for you, and burns off slower so you'll have that in your system giving you energy a little longer than you would with regular pasta.

[skmart2]

good info - thanks :nod:

[DanteLee]

see what you need to do is get a big juicy tbone steak tie it to your self and get a hungry dog (preferably a pit or big azz doberman) and run your azz off.


this also works if you are sexy as hellz and are running in memeorial park dayum men around there try not to show off to the womens but i see em staring at my girl when shes running around there....

[S.D.W.]

Roadracer had good advice. ood running shoes are often overlooked and the shoes with the most visual appeal are usually purchased, instead of functionality. May 30th is very close so I would work on distance instead of speed. Also, do you know if the race will be on pavement? If u usually walk/ jog on a gravel trail, you will be in for a big surprise.

Good luck, let us know how you do or what your time was

[skmart2]

i've been walking/running on a paved track in the mornings before work and then a couple of times during the week i'll do evenings up at memorial park so that i can get comfortable with both types of environments.

anyone know of a good place to get fitted for shoes? i have a problem saying NO to people and am afraid to just walk in some where and get suckered into buying a buch of stuff i don't need.

[RoadracerNC]

i've been walking/running on a paved track in the mornings before work and then a couple of times during the week i'll do evenings up at memorial park so that i can get comfortable with both types of environments.

anyone know of a good place to get fitted for shoes? i have a problem saying NO to people and am afraid to just walk in some where and get suckered into buying a buch of stuff i don't need.

I personally don't know of any place around Houston. I haven't bought a pair since I moved back from North Carolina. Now that I think of it, it's about time that I did.:keke:

You can find your own shoe, no problem. First, make sure what ever it is, meets your budget. Second, make sure your feet fit comfortably, NOT SNUG! You should be able to wiggle your toes slightly and your feet shouldn't feel like there about to explode out of the shoe when you put all of your weight on the balls of each foot.

Keep in mind, your feet expand when you run, so you need just a little-little bit of comfort zone between your feet and the walls of the shoe.

Mizuno ( I think that's how you spell it) makes some really good running shoes, and mine have lasted for quite a while.:thumb:

[gsxr_firerider]

if youre close to the woodlands, go to lukes locker.it is in market square. i had trouble finding a pair of shoes that fit comfortable while i run. they are a runner specialty store. they will have you walk around store and analyze your stride. then put you on treadmill and analyze your stride. they measure your foot width and length. then they reccomend you a couple shoes they think would be good for you. the aasics i got there were by far the most comfortable running shoe i have ever owned.

[S.D.W.]

Specialty running store is a great idea, everybody has different feet .....some underpronate, some overpronate and some, like myself are flat footed...on my left. Aasics gave me bad blisters and I cant wear them. I found that new balance is great for my foot style.

[gsxr_firerider]

i have really flat feet to. i was running in pair of shox, before i went there. they told me that was probably the worst pair of shoes i could ever run in. he recomended new balance to i just liked the feel of the aasic. this place is pretty awesome.

[houtex]

Go to Lukes Locker on West Gray between Waugh & Shepherd. They will fit you with the right shoes.

[OMEGA]

is there a direct link for the race? i might want to join

[OMEGA]

nvm i got it, 3 miles is a great goal to start off, i never ran a marathon but this looks like fun, might see you there

[maxgs]

Don't worry about eating differently the night before, 3.1 miles doesn't require it. Eat normally the night before, no crazy dieting or fasting. For now, I'd pay most attention to getting the right shoes and wearing them enough that they are well broken in. Socks are a pretty bike deal to me at well. I wear thorlo running socks. Blisters suck.

A 5k is the equivalent of one lap around memorial. That would be a good place to figure your mechanics of running. I've run a half marathon every year now for the past four years. Last year I did San Antonio in November and Houston in January. Because I'm such a big guy, I train on an elliptical trainer and a rower as to take it easy on my knees. I run just enough to be comfortable with my mechanics.

And, btw, you can't even imagine how slow I run. It's laughable.

[OMEGA]

Don't worry about eating differently the night before, 3.1 miles doesn't require it. Eat normally the night before, no crazy dieting or fasting. For now, I'd pay most attention to getting the right shoes and wearing them enough that they are well broken in. Socks are a pretty bike deal to me at well. I wear thorlo running socks. Blisters suck.

A 5k is the equivalent of one lap around memorial. That would be a good place to figure your mechanics of running. I've run a half marathon every year now for the past four years. Last year I did San Antonio in November and Houston in January. Because I'm such a big guy, I train on an elliptical trainer and a rower as to take it easy on my knees. I run just enough to be comfortable with my mechanics.

And, btw, you can't even imagine how slow I run. It's laughable.

good advice there, 3 miles is nothing to try to plan out for, also even aat a light jog pace you should be ok , majority of the people there, i can imagine are beginners as well. hey max how long are the marathons you run in sa and houston?

[maxgs]

good advice there, 3 miles is nothing to try to plan out for, also even aat a light jog pace you should be ok , majority of the people there, i can imagine are beginners as well. hey max how long are the marathons you run in sa and houston?

I run the half marathon. It's 13.1 miles. I can't imagine running a full marathon at my size.

[OMEGA]

I run the half marathon. It's 13.1 miles. I can't imagine running a full marathon at my size.

good god, thats alot of miles none the less, the thought of a marathon had crossed my mind, but i didint realise its would be 26 miles :er:

[maxgs]

good god, thats alot of miles none the less, the thought of a marathon had crossed my mind, but i didint realise its would be 26 miles :er:

A half marathon isn't so bad. I'd bet the majority of folks on the site could make it through a half marathon with little to no training, not that I recommend it. It's one of those things you just have to decide to do and then not quit. I ran my first half marathon with zero training. There were some unusual circumstances that put me in the position to run one at Disney World a few years back. I was there, I had an entry into the race so I decided what the hell. I expected to ride the sag wagon back after either 5k or 10k. I got to the 10k and decided I could make it all the way.

I've run a half marathon every year since then, but now I train for them. It's much easier that way and more enjoyable.

[skmart2]

nvm i got it, 3 miles is a great goal to start off, i never ran a marathon but this looks like fun, might see you there


cool! let me know if you do sign up :)

[skmart2]

Don't worry about eating differently the night before, 3.1 miles doesn't require it. Eat normally the night before, no crazy dieting or fasting. For now, I'd pay most attention to getting the right shoes and wearing them enough that they are well broken in. Socks are a pretty bike deal to me at well. I wear thorlo running socks. Blisters suck.

A 5k is the equivalent of one lap around memorial. That would be a good place to figure your mechanics of running. I've run a half marathon every year now for the past four years. Last year I did San Antonio in November and Houston in January. Because I'm such a big guy, I train on an elliptical trainer and a rower as to take it easy on my knees. I run just enough to be comfortable with my mechanics.

And, btw, you can't even imagine how slow I run. It's laughable.


I stopped on my way to the park today and bought new shoes and socks. OMG what a complete difference !!!

and as for being slow, I'm suuuuuuper slow lol! I'm just trying to finish at this point. I never thought about incorporating the elliptical as part of my training, my knees are shot from 7 years of volley ball so that would be a great relief on some days.

[Meaner-n-u]

Way to go Stephanie! Don't stress and don't over do the "training". I blew my knee out OVER training for a 3k and now I don't run/walk/anything. Don't worry about your time. Don't worry about your food. Just run when you can, walk when you can't and enjoy the day. Hope it's not HOT!

[S.D.W.]

I stopped on my way to the park today and bought new shoes and socks. OMG what a complete difference !!!

and as for being slow, I'm suuuuuuper slow lol! I'm just trying to finish at this point. I never thought about incorporating the elliptical as part of my training, my knees are shot from 7 years of volley ball so that would be a great relief on some days.

Very glad you decided to get some new kicks :thumb: . When you run/ jog, do you plant your heel first? If so, try and land on the ball of your foot, and stride along. Your heel will touch the ground more than likely, but dont land on if first.

I like to wear socks that have a thick bottom, some folks dont because their feet get hot but I prefer to have my feet as cushioned as possible.
:nod:

[skmart2]

well, my friend and i survided! according to the results that were posted after the race, we completed in 54 minutes but i'm not sure how that could be accurate....we were late to the start line by 13 minutes or so and i started the timer on my watch as we crossed the start line and stpped it as we crossed the finish line and it showed 43 minutes :shrug:

i dunno, either way i finished and am planning to do more! i really enjoyed it :nod: thanks for all the info everyone provided regarding prep and diet stuff

[Squoddybody]

well, my friend and i survided! according to the results that were posted after the race, we completed in 54 minutes but i'm not sure how that could be accurate....we were late to the start line by 13 minutes or so and i started the timer on my watch as we crossed the start line and stpped it as we crossed the finish line and it showed 43 minutes :shrug:

i dunno, either way i finished and am planning to do more! i really enjoyed it :nod: thanks for all the info everyone provided regarding prep and diet stuff

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:

Congrats!

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:

I'm impressed you had the guts to do this! It's amazing that you followed through- I'm so happy for you! :thumb:

[Faylaricia]

i dunno, either way i finished and am planning to do more! i really enjoyed it :nod: thanks for all the info everyone provided regarding prep and diet stuff

Congrats!

I am thinking about doing the 5K on June 20th. Are you going to do that one?

http://www.dadsday5k.org/online.html

[skmart2]

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:

Congrats!

:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:

I'm impressed you had the guts to do this! It's amazing that you followed through- I'm so happy for you! :thumb:

thank you :D



Congrats!

I am thinking about doing the 5K on June 20th. Are you going to do that one?

http://www.dadsday5k.org/online.html

i was thinking about it but a friend of mine won a beach house in a silent auction for that weekend so i'll probably not be doing this one. good luck to you though :thumb: