Ran my first race yesterday!

My wife has gotten into the running kick to supplement her kickboxing training, and she's run a few races (a 5 mile and a 5K). Since I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, running is good for endurance, so she convinced me to run a small 1 mile support race for her 5K.

Normally, I can run 2-3 miles without too much issue, but my times aren't the best (probably average high 8 - low 9 minute miles), so I wasn't expecting much.

Well, I am proud to say I ran a 7:05 mile, finishing 2nd in class (4th overall). The pace was faster (obviously) than when I run for BJJ or just practice, so I was nervous I would gas. However, I got my rhythm and finished strong.

I'll have to step up to a 5K next - that will be a bit harder for me, but I had a good time doing this, so what the heck!

 

Congratulations on the good finish...

 

Thanks!

I don't expect to do as well in a 5K - but to finish would be the main goal

I am going to start practicing in between my Jiu Jitsu classes - target first 5K in April 2010.

 

I have a feeling my running speed is diminishing already since winter has now hit Michigan. I was down to about 7:10-7:30 for my 1st mile of my 4 mile run... with a best time of 35:07 I think (includes walking down steep hills, and running up them).

Well done. 7:00's are running. When you get down to the 6's, you can say you sprinted the mile

 

Well, I did a 5K today - in totally lousy weather too. Ran a 29:03, so my mile(s) weren't anywhere near as quick as my first race.

I am proud I finished it - it was pouring and really cold, and I don't have the proper gear, so that hampered me for sure. Surprisingly, I was getting a lot more lactic acid build up in my legs than I thought I would - surely slowed me too.

Nonetheless - my first 5K, so I am proud of myself!

Next one - goal will be to break 29:00 (although honestly, I am setting a target of 25:00 - may be lofty, but it's a target to benchmark against).

 

Congratulations on the 5K. Running rocks! You now know that you can run three miles ... now it's just a matter of shaving some seconds off.

 

Yep, agreed! My physical conditioning is pretty good from the Jiu-Jitsu, but this was tough! My calves hurt, and that's one of my most conditioned, defined body part!

Out of 300 or so people, I finished right in the middle (153). In my age group (Male - 40-44) I was 9th. I definitely could do a sub-28:00 5K, so I'll try to break that next race.

My wife finished a little behind me at 29:30 - she's 43 and just started running as well, we had a blast!

 

it's funny, but based on my experience, you're in the toughest age catagory. i just turned 50 this summer, so my age catagory has changed. while in my 40's, though, i would almost kill myself to finish a 5k in the 22 minute range. i'd look at the under 39 catagory and it would seem like i should have been 2nd or 3rd ... but in the 40's age range i was always 15th or 16th!!!!! not really, i guess, but it sure seemed like that sometimes.

keep on moving. my wife turned 48 this year and she has just started running. she's totally enjoying it, much beyond what she ever imagined. it's cool to have an activity that you and your wife can enjoy together ...... beyond the obvious one!!

 

Shoot... between you guys here, and Marris; I just might start doing 5k's and more next year. For my first 5k, my goal will be 25 minutes... I think that's realistic; but will be tough.

4ish months away give or take.

 

25:00 is do-able - it's about 8:00 per mile. That's my ultimate goal for sure.

Yes, the 40-44 range is tough. In the 5K I did, however, the 50-54 range was MUCH faster! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 50-54 ran faster than same in 40-44!

Interesting in that I am getting the competitive bug here - something I didn't really want because it could pull focus from my BJJ. However, it's fun and easy to compete, so why not?

 

congrats on your first race..running, especially in races, can be addicting so watch out!

 

Back in my youth (when the dinosaurs roamed the erf and "relax" tshirts were popular) I ran cross country for one season. The first race, after two days of practice, I ran about 29 minutes for the three mile. After four months of training (usually anywhere from 5-14 miles per day) my time dropped to 18:20 for the three mile. Then I went to college and got a job. five years later I ran another race (3.5 miles). Coming up to the first mile mark they were calling times 11:53, 11:54, 11:55... Whoa! How times change.
Make sure you get some good running shoes with decent arch support if you plan on doing lots of running. Glad you are enjoying it!

BT

 

Definitely addicting - I see it already!

I don't think I'll ever get to 18's - I am 41 and as noted, I train BJJ primarily. However, if I could get in the 23:00 - 25:00 range, I would be stoked!

I did purchase a decent pair of ASICS. One of my colleagues at work is a runner, told me that's the way to go. So far, they've been much better than the 20 year old sneaks I was wearing (yes, 20 year old sneakers!).

 

I've always been more of a quick, burst type. When we do wind-sprints / suicides in my BJJ training, I am usually the quickest one, but I gas faster.

In the 5K, my first mile splits were way quicker - I assume that's normal - but I could feel the slowdown in the 2nd / 3rd miles. That's where I need to keep the pace, of course, which should come with more practice.

That being said, I don't think I could ever run a 21:00. I ran hard on the mile run, knowing it was a shorter distance.

 

I ran a 49 minute 10K on thanksgiving (7:50/mile). Hopefully with more running over the next couple months I can get in a sub 23min 5k.

 

10k as in 10 miles or 10 kilometers ?

 

Kilometers (6.2 miles), my math would be terrible if that was 10 miles haha.

 

A 49 min 10K is moving out !!! Congratulations !!! I was pretty happy with a sub 25 min 5K this past Thanksgiving. I share your thought ..... a sub 23 min 5K would rock!!!