Runner Mamas: My 1St 5K!!!

My girl friend who lives in San Francisco is a runner.

The day before the race and the day of, she loads up on proteins and carbs...I will ask her more questions and see what she has to say!!

YOU GO!!! I wish I could run - my knee is so bum that I would have to walk it instead of run it!!

YOU GO!!! CONGRATS!!!!

Good for you! You probably will run the whole thing, but don't feel bad if you walk for some short stretches. I like to set a realistic time to finish under. Sometimes a course will throw you for a loop with a lot of unexpected hills or something.

I have found that the night before "carb loading" helps me tremendously. I normally eat very few straight carbs (chips, pasta, bread), and I run far longer and faster if I treat myself the night before (usually chips, salsa and guac at my fave taco place). Don't overdo it, and stay away from sugar!

Have fun! 5Ks are lots of fun!

"body Glide" it will keep you from getting chaffed. Use near your sports br@, at your waist line, etc. Pin your number low on your t-shirt, not at the chest (chafing again). stretch at the start and end. 5K will go by before you know it. ask more experienced runners re how to dress. I don't know what oct in Nebraska requires. Have fun, smile,and pat yourself on the back.

How exciting!!! Lots of carbs for dinner the night before. Don't be tough on yourself, just do your best but push yourself. If you are in a great shape, try two classes back to back to test yourself. this should be equivalent to your run. God luck, please keep us posted.

I'm training for half marathon in November Susan koman 13.1 miles :)

I have no tips but how exciting! Congratulations.

Good for you! I was like you, never in sports or anything until after college. Then I was determined to lose the extra 20 college pounds. The first mile was awful! I ran my first 5k after a few months of running and had only run 3 miles once or twice. It went fine! You'll do great. The energy of all the people around you will keep you moving. Be careful not to start too fast and run out of steam at the end.

A few months later I ran my first 10k and that went well, too. Lesson learned from that one - don't eat a huge bowl of popcorn the night before :-/ My fastest sprint of the day was from the finish line to the porta-potties!!

Mostly enjoy! You'll feel great when you've finished.

I've been running regularly now for 27 years. I've never beat my times from my very first 5k and 10k, but I feel healthy and fit, and glad to be a runner at age 50!

Good for you!!! 5Ks are a lot of fun and you've already gotten some good advice. I second the advice about not starting too quickly. Don't feel badly if you can't keep pace with your friend who runs 1/2 marathons. And most importantly... have fun.

Good for you! I wouldn't change anything different. 5K is really not that far of a run where you would need to load up on carbs the night before. If you don't do it now while training, don't do it the night before. You don't know how your body will react to changes so let it be. Get a good night sleep is my best advice. I don't like to eat anything at least 2hrs. before I run but that's just me. I don't drink while I run either unless it's a really hot day & longer miles. Then I will maybe drink a little on the course. As for stretching before, if you don't do it now, don't do it then.

Good luck & let us know how you do!

Congrats! I recently ran my first 5k as well. I am new to running and just started this summer. Ran my first 5k and said "this is way fun!" and then registered for my first 10k that same day (it was a month later.) I ran the 10k last week and loved it. It's such a fun challenge and I love the feeling of setting a goal and accomplishing it. If it weren't for races, I couldn't keep up the running - it keeps me motivated. For my 5k, I didn't do anything different in terms of nutrition. I guess I run best in the morning when I haven't been eating all day. I recommend if it's a morning race to have something small - maybe peanut butter on toast or something of the like. As far as exercise wise - I assume you have been training for this or building up to it, right? If not, get on it :) and work your way up. If you have already been training for this, I would just recommend not running in the few days preceding your race. My races were on Saturdays and I would run on Wednesday or Thursday but then make sure to have a few days off. Also, mix in shorter runs with your longer ones during training. Let us know how it goes, good luck! I bet you will be addicted and your friend will have a new running partner :)

I was like you as well. Hated gym class throughout all of my school years and the mile was horrible.Had my second daughter in Jan 2010 and my goal for the year was to complete my first 5k. Was pretty unmotivated for a better part of the year and a friend of mine talked of her 2nd triathlon and I thought, how cool, and that I had really slacked on my goal for the year.So that next day, I loaded both my girls up in the double stroller, went to the park, and slowly started my routine. 7weeks later, I ran my first 5k, the whole thing. It was such an accomplishment and my husband, who is a runner, and my two girls were right there with me the whole step of the way.It was such an awesome experience and one that I will never forget. This year, in August, i completed my first Sprint Triathlon and I think I am hooked. It was so exhilarating!!! Good luck to you, even if you have to walk, it'll be such an accomplishment for you. The atmosphere of the run, the people, the excitement, the music, the loud speakers, and the yummy food afterwards, will be something that you will crave more of, I'm sure, after your first. HAVE FUN!!!

No advice from me but a HUGE thumbs up!