Beginner - First 5K Question

In article said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I wait
until my time improves? Thanks.

Depends on the race, but you probably wouldn't be last. Even if you would be last, go anyhow.
Races are fun, and your fellow racers understand the importance of fact that you are out at the
race rather than sitting at home.

Most important thing at a race: Have fun.

--
Robert Grumbine radix.net~bobgOpen ↗ Science faqs and amateur activities notes and links.
Sagredo (Galileo Galilei) "You present these recondite matters with too much evidence and ease; this
great facility makes them less appreciated than they would be had they been presented in a more
abstruse manner." Two New Sciences

In article said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

You probably won't be last. There's no rule that says you have to be fast to enter a road race, and
actually, most (maybe 90% of) runners who enter road races are fairly slow. What's great about the
races is that the runners by and large line up in order of pace (so you should start at the back of
the pack) and everyone runs their own race at their own pace. Races aren't just for fast people.
Don't worry too much, and have fun. By the way, you will probably surprise yourself on race day -- I
wouldn't be surprised if you finish at 11:00 per mile or so.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflordOpen ↗

The 1st thing you should do, is re examine your life, to find just what went so wrong that you ended
up being a jogger.

By all means go for it and have fun!!!

"kjw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

Go for it- and let us know how you did.

Definitely don't worry about "being slow".

And so what if you are last?!? You'll still accomplish something, and the other runners will be very
encouraging, especially if they find out it's your first race.

The only problem I've had with being a slow runner is that sometimes the best goodies (grub) is gone
by the time I get there -- but there's always something left! And a couple of times the faster
runners beat the rain & the slower ones got wet.

Just have fun. bj

"kjw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

In article said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

oh, for a first race don't worry about how fast you are or anything. there should be nothing
competitive going on for you in this race... just go out and have a fun and memorable time. because
you WILL want to remember this.

do for it, no matter what your pace. and just so you know, the last person in the race gets the
BIGGEST round of applause!

Cam

--
Not every race can be a perfect experience, but every race can be a learning experience.

onemarathon said:

In article said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

oh, for a first race don't worry about how fast you are or anything. there should be nothing
competitive going on for you in this race... just go out and have a fun and memorable time.
because you WILL want to remember this.

Agree! Also remember you will be faster than all those lumps still parked on the couch eating bon
bons. Do it and have fun!

--
Doug Freese [email hidden]

I did my first one at about a 12 min/mile pace was wasnt last . . . beside they sure cheer on us
taildraggers!! Some even come back and run in again with us . . .

wayne

"onemarathon" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about
a 12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.

oh, for a first race don't worry about how fast you are or anything. there should be nothing
competitive going on for you in this race... just go out and have a fun and memorable time.
because you WILL want to remember this.

do for it, no matter what your pace. and just so you know, the last person in the race gets the
BIGGEST round of applause!

Cam

--
Not every race can be a perfect experience, but every race can be a learning experience.

Wayne P said:

I did my first one at about a 12 min/mile pace was wasnt last . . . beside they sure cheer on us
taildraggers!! Some even come back and run in again with us . . .

wayne

Right on! Tail-of-the-packers have more fun 🙂 and get to enjoy the trail for a longer
period of time.

Dot

--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

Start now . check with you MD and Run where you are comforable My experience 1st 5K 38 min 2nd 5K 36
min 3rd 5K 31 4th 5K (3.3miles) 26.01 min Best of luck ! "kjw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am thinking of running my first 5K in the next few weeks. I can currently run 5K, but at about a
12 minute/mile pace. Will I be the last to cross the finish line if I do this now? Or should I
wait until my time improves? Thanks.