5K - for anyone else who's been told it's easy

Hi everyone

Anyone else been told that the 5K they've been pushing to get fit enough to manage is "nothing"?

I started running in February from a base line of utterly rubbish fitness.  First trip out I managed 8 very slow minutes before I had to stop for a walk; on Sunday I did my 2nd 5K fun run race thingy in a tiny bit under 32 minutes - and RAN IT ALL .  Am very, very proud of that.

Now, I know I'm not fast and I know 5K isn't a marathon (obviously, but you know what I mean) but all the same IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE NOTHING! Maybe it will one day but right now it's still like pushing an elephant up a hill, not quite literally! 

 So, just wanted to say to anyone else who's plodding through the "nothing to 5K" slog of starting out with this running lark, well done, I think we're fantastic.

(I should add that the "5K is nothing " comment wasn't meant at all harshly, more a kind of "wow that's not far maybe I could do that too", which is ace and some company would be nice but still...)

 Mole

who cares what others think. running is all about personal achievements.

 just enjoy yourself and be happy that you have pushed your body to it's current limits.

I think a lot of the '5k is nothing' mentality comes from the Race for Life events. People see that someone who's 60+ can do it, someone who's 10 stones overweight can do it, someone who's never even run for a bus can do it and they think that's how everyone does a 5k.

I remember when I first was able to run 5k without stopping and I was chuffed. Everyone else should be too - everyone had to start somewhere.

Well done to anyone who can now run 5K when they couldn't before - you've still achieved loads more than most people.

Sadly, ignorant downplaying of your achievements doesn't stop at 5K. When you complete a HM, you may hear 'When are you going to do a full one?', and even after a Marathon, people have been known to ask 'Just the one?'. It's all down to the over-hyping of certain distances, and to celebrities doing seven marathons in seven days or something similar.

You don't, of course have to get on the treadmill of ever increasing distance. You can work on doing a shorter distance faster (or just enjoying that distance for its own sake. I've been working on 5K - HM distances for a while now and have never done a Marathon. I do plan to do one next year, though - I'm getting on a bit and wouldn't want to regret never having done one.

I've been running for about 6 months after a knee injury 3 years ago from playing football. I've managed about 2 or 3 5k runs without stopping. I felt really chuffed with myself each time and I agree it doesn't matter what others think, it really is all about personal achievement.

There is no better feeling than doing a pb, no matter how far.

Yep it's all relative - agree with Doug about marathon obsession in this country too - perhaps more emphasis on 'how fast' rather than 'how far' might lead to standards improving.

Reminds me of my mate who got to the final of the 1500m indoor UK final (which Mo Farah blitzed) and came last. A girl in his office, when told how far the race was and that he doesn't do long races replied..

'So you're not good enough to do a marathon then?'

Anyway Mole, keep going and soon 5k will feel like 'nothing'

I just did 3.5 miles last night for the first time - and was thoroughly proud of myself on two counts.....1)it's my longest non stop run to date and 2) i believed i had more to give and could have went on if i wanted to.

I agree that you should be proud of whatever you achieve through your own endeavour - and take no notice of any "belittlers" especially mugs who can't even tie their shoe laces, let alone run a few miles for pleasure!

5k is never nothing. It's a short distance yes but every time you race it you try and push yourself harder.

We all have to start somewhere and they is no rule that says that you have to run long distance.

When I get back into running I'm going to find 5k hard.

It is good that you think 'I can do that' and actually went out and did it.

Ha, good thread and some other people have picked up with the current obsession with the fact that running distance must be harder even if people walk most of the way.

5k hurts for anyone that makes the effort to turn themself inside out to achieve the best time they can.

Longer distance is easier if you treat it as a stroll or social occasion.

However the masses think that anyone completing a marathon is a marathon runner. They're not.

kittenkat - NOooooooooo, that's marathon snobbery!  I hope ye jest!

Mole - ignore them! 

When I started running about 5 years ago, 5k was such a long way it was a great sense of achievement completing my first few races. I never forget building up to running for 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then 20 minutes and how great it all felt. If I knew then that I would be running a marathon in 5 years time, I would never ever ever have believed it!  I think that is what is great about running, there are really good goals that you can set yourself and you can really see yourself improve (whatever distance you do - which really is irrlevant  as it's about effort you put in) and amaze yourself with the achievements. Whether that is improving you 5k time or increasing your distance.

Its so hard to generalise, when few of us know each other. If you are 22 and play foootball every week, then i would say 5k shouldn't be too hard to do. Then it depends on your time. If you are (dare i say) older and fairly unfit, then 5k is an achievement. All releative.

As a new runner, 5k is my favourite distance, and time. I'm not realy into "long runs". The most i've done is 10 miles. My aim is to get my pb nearer to 20 minutes with interval training. I dont see why you cannot have a really good workout in 30 minutes.

Mole. I agree. I started running in November. After that first run, 5k might as well be marathon distance. But once I got to 5 the sense of achievement was huge. I have now entered my first 5k race and am very nervous. 

 I agree with the comment about race for life type fun runs gives a false perception with the sight of hundreds completing the distance I just do not think people appreciate how hard it is to learn pacing and drive down your times.

There are a lot of "knockers" out there when you discuss running. I find that people who do zero exercise will like to tell you how your knees are being ruined and others who are generally fit but not Runners will be competetive with you.

Steve Rand 7 wrote (see)

There are a lot of "knockers" out there

Must be the weather we are having....

Sorry couldn't resist...

5K,10K Half or Full Marathon easy for some not so easy for others ..but the latter will feel as they have achieved more

 It's a significant distance in anyone's book whether you are trying to do it in one go for the first time or do it in 15 mins. 

Having done a few parkruns now I have a greater respect for runners of all ages and abilities. Everyone is at their own limit - it's as hard for the 30 minuters as it is for the sub-17ers. The achievement is putting in the training then being prepared to push yourself to YOUR limit - not merely completing a certain distance.  

Get the nay-sayers out to a parkrun and see how  they go. They may be quicker than you but they will be humbled when they finish after a few 70 year olds!! I know I am.

madmickie - many many a time have I been beaten by 70+ year olds.  It's a sad sad sad day when I get a sense of satisfaction as I have acutally beaten them for a change!

Sometimes you can't judge people on how they look to how they run.  I've been at loads of racers where I think I am an imposter infront of all these toned people, with not an inch of fat on them, all wearing the hightech gear.  And then me. Then they all set off at an alarming pace and naturally i am at the back. But slowly and surely, a good number of them fall back and I get to over take them one by one.  Much to their annoyance! hehe!

Run. Enjoy.  Who gives a fig about what others say.