Oct 2, 2008

Weight Watchers Week Ten: Is there a 5K in my future?

As I ran on the treadmill last night, I set a goal of being able to run three miles in less than 30 minutes - I can run two and a half in that time, so I know it's doable. And then I started thinking about running a 5K race, since that's 3.1 miles. I know I can run three miles, it's just a question of how long it will take me. There's a race in November that I could enter . . . so I am thinking about it. (I would prefer December but there doesn't seem to be a conveniently located race that month.) The thought of registering makes me pretty nervous, though, since I've never run a race before. But it would certainly motivate me to work out even more!

At my meeting this week, one of the women mentioned that she had been motivated to control her eating by an event she went to over the weekend, and her desire to look awesome in a special cocktail dress. She said that after the event was over, she caught herself about to eat something she would never have eaten in the weeks leading up to the event, and was struggling with her motivation.

With motivation on my mind, I realized as I ran last night that one of the best things about working out hard is that it makes me want to eat better so that my body has a better source of fuel for the work it's doing. And of course, training for a race would be added motivation in that regard.

Have you run a road race and if so, what should I be considering in deciding whether to sign up?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been a runner for a while, and just did my first half marathon. Running for a specific race is really great motivation, I'd definitely recommend it! That said...I don't think you need to set a goal to run a 5k in 30 minutes. Just work on running and getting miles in, and finishing! When it comes to running, the cardiovascular system improves first, followed by joints, and finally bones...if you try to do too much too fast, you can injure yourself. Get thee to a running store to be properly fitted for shoes, and just have fun for now. After you finish your 5k, you can look towards a 10k, and then after you get that many miles under your belt, then you can work on speed!

Denise Mall said...

For years now, we run a 5K every Thanks Giving morning. It started out as a contribution to charity. Turned into a family tradition. Now, I have a goal of completing it in 30 minutes this year.

I would recommend a charitable run like this one, that supplies the local food banks. It is fun as well as challenge. Some walk, some run - no pressure, do your thing.

Ours is called the Turkey Trot.

The idea here is have fun. If you enjoy what you do, you'll do it more.

Good Luck!

Kacie said...

Do it! Don't worry about your time for the first one, either. Depending on how many people are running, it might be awhile before you even cross the start line!

Road races are so much fun because you're a part of something much bigger than yourself. Usually, they're a fundraiser of some sort. And, you're with plenty of others, truckin' along right with you. It's amazing.

Also, the t-shirt. Gotta love the 5k shirts.

Chief Family Officer said...

@Jess - Congratulations on the half marathon! Wow, that's impressive. Thank you for your insight. Yes, I am definitely not trying to do too much too fast (history of knee injuries since I was 12). Thanks also for the reminder about shoes - I should definitely at least think about getting another pair.

@Dedicated - Great idea! I'd love it if this sort of thing became a regular activity with my family, but I think the kids need to be a little bit older - right now, they're in the "no strollers" phase, but want to be carried fairly often. The race I'm looking at is a charitable fund raiser - I'm not sure for what, though. Thanks for the encouragement!

@Kacie - Ah, thanks for pointing those things out. I never would have thought about waiting to get to the start line!

Jerry said...

The fact that you're even thinking about it is fantastic. That's more than a lot of people do. And, if it's on your mind, it usually leads to action. Staying fit is your own personal health insurance. Good luck!

Jerry
www.leads4insurance.com