Feasible time for my first 5K. (Read 788 times)

I wouldn't worry so much about a time goal, but given your recent hard 3-miler, I'd try running your race at that same average pace, but try to get slightly faster as you get into the second or third mile. Once you get a race or two under your belt, you'll have a much better idea what works for you. Good luck!

Also, make sure to remain further back in the group so that you don't go out too fast. The ones who line up in the front always burn out a quick first mile and running along side them will make you do so. I saw a lot of people doing that at a 15k back in March that I ran. I passed a good 30 people in the first half mile because they lined up in the front, got carried out by the two guys who posted sub 6 minute miles, and by the time they reached the top of the opening hill they were spent.

If you just started running this week you can probably go faster. I ran my 1st 3 mile run in 27:00 at age 16.....about 10 days later I was running 3 miles in 24 minutes. How fast can you run a mile? If you can run a mile in 7:00 you should be able to run a 5k in under 25 minutes with a couple weeks training. During a 5k race run the 1st mile comfortably hard...know that you could run the entire 3 miles at this pace...once you get to the 2nd mile you can maintain that pace or increase the pace slightly if you feel good. The 3rd mile should be the hardest so you don't want to be burned out by the time you hit this mile mark. EDIT to add I just saw your HS mile time was 4:37...you have the genetics to run fast ... 185 pounds is not that big...I think your times are going to drop dramatically and pleasantly fast. Dont do too much but with 3 more weeks of training I could see you going below 24 - maybe faster (just a hunch).

Keep one thing in mind. If you can sprint at the end of the race, you didn't run hard enough.

Keep one thing in mind. If you can sprint at the end of the race, you didn't run hard enough.

I'm calling BS on that, at least to a point. Ever watch a track meet on TV? Do they run even splits, or are they sprinting near the end? Having a strong kick is more a function of pure speed and anaerobic capacity than anything else. I mean, if you're that guy that lollygags at a much slower pace than you're capable of, only to sprint like a madman and pass the walkers at the end of the race, then yes, you didn't run hard enough. But I like to think of it this way -- if you're not sprinting at the end of the race, you didn't finish hard enough.

I think you can go under 25:30 for the 5K, if not under 25:00. Let us know how it goes. RE: the "finishing kick" discussion, read the latest "science of sport" series on fatigue. They hit on this topic I believe.

I read this blog- very interesting- Since I'm a C25K trainee right now (did first 5K length the other day @ 27:43), I've found that the daily/weekly goals that are set by the program work very well. My problem I've notice is that if it says to run 25 min then the sec I hit the 25 min mark, my brain say- OK- Goal achieved-STOP and that's all I can take physically. However - just the week before it was only a 20 min run and I experienced the very exact thing. So I guess you have to screw with your brain to attain the desired goal you want, like average pacing, distance or time. Amazing how that all works together.