I thought it might be cool if we had a place for all of us to share stories about our first race since most of us are new runners here/newly back to running. When you run your first race or if you have already, please come share here! ----------------------------------- I had posted this is another usergroup, but not all of you are part of that group so I wanted to share it here too. I started C25K in the spring and now not only am I a runner, I'm a racer too! YMCA of Regina Road Race. Saturday, August 9. 830 am. Partly overcast, comfortable temp, minimal wind. 18*C or 64*F. Three races with a single shared (mass) start - 5K, 15K and 21K. The start was awkward; about 100 yards in, the 15K and 21K runners turned onto a different route so everyone is tripping over each other as some try to turn and some go straight. Important Positives Points about my Race: - I was content with my start that I didn't go out too fast. - I ran the whole thing without walking. - I sprinted the last 200 yards. - I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face and arms in the air. - My husband and kids were near the finish line when I got there. - I wanted my time under 35 minutes and I did it! - I wasn't last. - Our 4 year old son asking me on the way home after the race "Mom, did you have fun?" Little Minor Misses: - I got pics with my kids but no pic with my DH on the day of my first race. - I didn't remember to stop my timer as soon as I finished so I had to wait for official chip times to be posted. Posted this morning hence why the late report. Official Chip Time - 34:29 Overall placement - 50 out of 64 runners Age Group (W30-39) - 6 out of 8

Good job, Meg.

Go, Meg!

I hope ernsberger is having a great race today.

Congrats, Meg! That is a wonderful accomplishment Oh my goodness...what an awesome experience for my first 5K I was starting to get really nervous on Friday night thinking about the 5K on Saturday. Having just finished C25K on Thursday night, I had never ran more than 2.5 miles or longer than 30 minutes, so I was a little leery of that last bit of the race. So, race morning arrives...I took my boys (ages 11 and 13) as they were also running. We got checked in and things got so busy, I didn't get to do my 5 minutes warm up walk I stretched for a few minutes before the start of the race, but I was still a little worried about being sore afterwards with no warm-up walk. The weather was beautiful. Sunny and probably 60-65 degrees. The bike trail is probably 2/3 shaded and 1/3 totally sunny, with the sunny part coming right in the center of the race. We are on our local bike trail and it's pretty flat with the exception of the very beginning being somewhat downhill ( yes, that means somewhat uphill at the very end of the race).... So, when running prior to my race, I was averaging about a 12:30 mile for my 2.5 runs. Well.... I got to my first mile of the race... 10:52... I was so excited because I didn't feel like I was running any faster than normal. I did not take the water that they offered just before the first mile. Ok, I finally make the turnaround...get to the 2nd mile marker... time - 22:22... This is funny. I took water on my way back through. Tried to take a drink, but of course it spilled all down the front of me, then I rinsed my mouth, spit it out, and threw the cup... just like on TV...this is when I felt like a runner! I then hit the sun again and started to slow down. I wanted to start walking so badly. But, opted instead for just slowing down! I never walked. At all. After I hit the 3 mile marker, there is a small bridge to go under then the hill I talked about that takes you up to the finish line. After I cleared the bridge, my 11 year old son was there to run with me to the finish. I sprinted (well, I gave it all I had anyway) from the bottom of the hill to the finish line. My friends and family were all there cheering me on. My friend Stacy was there and photographed the entire event, before and after. I stretched really well after the race. I did not feel sore after. Just tired. I was not sore at all yesterday. Today, my legs can tell that something happened to them on Saturday, but not bad. AWESOME! ACCOMPLISHED! UNBELIEVABLE! I can't believe I set out with a goal 10 weeks ago to complete C25K and run a 5K... and I did it... The best part...my goal was to run it in less than 40 minutes... Well, I didn't stick around for final times because my daughter had a volleyball scrimmage, but Stacy said she clocked me at 37:something. So, I'm waiting for final times to be posted on the internet. Thanks for all of your encouragement and advice. You are all such an inspiration. Good luck to all of you in your quest for the 5K. Prior to 10 weeks ago, I had never ran in my life, EVER... If I can do this... so can you I do have a question though...what should I do this week? My goal is to run 10 miles a week, but I've read something about a recovery week. Any advice?

Thanks for all the positives, folks! What an awesome first race, ernsberger! The week after my first race, I did take it a bit easier. My first run I went out faster than usual; my second run was great; my third run was alright but I wish I'd mapped pre-run so I would've covered more distance. I think the week after your first race, just go out and run, listen to your body. Next week, you can get back to your 10 mile week plan. Cyndi, if this thread isn't on the first page of our forum when you race, post your race and bump it up! You'll be ready and have a great post run story for us.

Awesome. I wish I could say my first 5K was so quick. Good for you. Glad your first race was a good experience!

That's awesome! Good job!