Calling all runners

**Tina71** · 07-27-2010, 11:02 AM

Hi! My friend talked me into doing a 5K with her in August so I have been doing the Couch to 5 K to get ready for it. I am on week 8 this week. I was never a runner before. Any tips or advice for getting ready for the 5K?! I am very nervous about it. I have less than a month. Been doing ttapp moves and adding in ttapp techniques too!

**kariah** · 07-27-2010, 02:52 PM

Hi Tina! Congratulations on taking up the challenge! Just want to encourage you to stay with your program. Three years ago I wanted to see if I could do a 5K though I had never been a runner before (never liked it). I did that exact program - the Couch to 5K. I finished it and did the race in 28 minutes! It was the best feeling to have started and completed it. I thought that program was so easy to follow and actually prepared me well. You may be surprised at what you can do! It actually motivated my whole family to do it with me the following year (you know... "well, if Mom can do it..." haha) I didn't "fall in love" with running after it (though I ran two more 5Ks), but have used that experience for so much other self-encouragement. Even when I first started TTapp I would get discouraged and then remind myself how I somehow finished the race and did OK. Stay with it - the experience will reward you with much more than just finishing that 5K.

**Tina71** · 07-27-2010, 09:19 PM

Thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate it! I agree that C25K is a great program. Glad my friend told me about it!! My DH said who cares how fast you do it or if you have to take a walk break here and there. It just matters that you are DOING IT!!

**amynyc** · 07-27-2010, 10:38 PM

Hi Tina - good for you!! I've looked around for runners on the t-tapp forums before and am always happy when I see others doing it.

I bet you'll do great no matter what, but I'll throw in a couple of tips since you're asking: 1) give yourself 2 days' complete rest before the race, so your body is relaxed and fresh and ready, 2) if you want to be as sure as possible of running the whole distance, just relax and pace yourself at a speed you know you do well at, rather than get caught up in the buzz of the race and start off too fast (as great as that buzz is, I've forced myself to slow down on several occasions, and it always serves me well in the end!), and 3) have a great time!

Good luck and let us know how you do!!

**Omma** · 07-28-2010, 06:55 AM

Good Morning Ladies! Tell me about the "Couch to 5K" program you mentioned -- where can I find it?

Thanks!

**Tina71** · 07-28-2010, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by amynyc

Hi Tina - good for you!! I've looked around for runners on the t-tapp forums before and am always happy when I see others doing it.

I bet you'll do great no matter what, but I'll throw in a couple of tips since you're asking: 1) give yourself 2 days' complete rest before the race, so your body is relaxed and fresh and ready, 2) if you want to be as sure as possible of running the whole distance, just relax and pace yourself at a speed you know you do well at, rather than get caught up in the buzz of the race and start off too fast (as great as that buzz is, I've forced myself to slow down on several occasions, and it always serves me well in the end!), and 3) have a great time!

Good luck and let us know how you do!!

Thanks for the tips!!!! I will let you know how it goes.

**Tina71** · 07-28-2010, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Omma

Good Morning Ladies! Tell me about the "Couch to 5K" program you mentioned -- where can I find it?

Thanks!

Here you go:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

**JulieLyn** · 07-28-2010, 09:37 AM

Good luck with your race. I haven't done a 5K race in years.

I helped with our local middle school cross country team last fall. We stressed just moving the body. Some of the kids couldn't even jog 1/4 mile when they started and 6 weeks later they were jogging the entire 1.5 mile race course. We kept weekly records of interval times and race times and handed out printouts so the kids could really see that they were improving. Many of them couldn't see past the soreness or the fact that it is "hard." I was the meanie at the end of the line clapping my hands encouraging them to at least jog slowly rather than walk. At the end of the season, it was "come on, people, this is cross country 'running' not cross country 'walking.'"