This weekend I have my first 5K since I started training to race the 5K—and I’m getting nervous!
About a month ago I started getting coaching advice from our own Runner’s World coach (and 2:13 marathoner) Budd Coates. I needed help because I honestly had no idea where to begin with 5K training. I knew I would need to push myself and I’d be running a lot more speed workouts than I’m used to but I needed guidance as to how to actually construct a training week. And boy did I get it from Budd.
He’s handed me weekly plans I never thought would be possible for me. I’m talking about workouts with paces as low as 6:20. But I’ve surprised myself and I’ve nailed those workouts without a problem. They’re hard. My legs feel it afterwards. But I know it’s working.
Going into Sunday’s race, I know my biggest obstacle won’t be trying to hit my goal pace but rather overcoming my fear. I’m afraid to line up too close to the starting line because I don’t want to be in anyone else’s way. I’m afraid to see those paces flash across my watch in case I don’t hit the right pace. I’m afraid that I’ll miss my goal and be disappointed in the outcome.
But none of that matters because 5K training isn’t marathon training. I only know what it’s like to train hard for a race that is left to chance at the end of the day. I only know what it’s like to follow a plan for four months only to not be able to go to the bathroom on race morning and cramp up at mile 15. Training for a 5K isn’t like that.
It’s hard and more challenging (for me) than training for a marathon but I’m enjoying it so much more. If I can’t overcome my fears on Sunday and really lay it all on the line, it’s not a big deal. I’ll be fully recovered by next Tuesday and have two more 5Ks coming up in the next month to test my fears again.
So far, I like 5K training and I’m just looking forward to running fearless this weekend.
Fit Girl. Happy Girl. 
It is totally different from a marathon. If you feel like you might throw up during the race, you’re probably running hard enough.
Andy
I agree with Andy! When I really raced my first 5k, I crossed the line and found the nearest spot to fall over! It’s such a rush but so fun. Good luck :)
I was glad to see a new blog post from you pop up in my reader! Also glad to hear training is going well. Good luck in your race!
Soooo how’d it go?!
I’ve been totally slacking on writing a post about the race but it went well! No PR (bad race day conditions) but I got third in my age group.
Road racing is so fickle that way – we always judge every race against the others of the same distance, when in reality the effort required to run certain paces varies SO MUCH. I think letting go of the “I should run x pace for x miles” is the hardest part about trails, but it makes so much sense! Good job regardless :)