How to Run a 5k

Alright guys with all my running lately I thought it might be run to give you all my tips and tricks for running a 5k, or not running a 5k really either way you’ll probably gain something from this article. I thought of so many ways I could present this to you all, but I thought first and foremost it would be easiest if I presented it in a flow chart.

If this doesn’t suit your fancy I’ll tell you all my trips and tricks to running a 5k, so here it goes the best tips for running a 5k when running isn’t your favorite thing.

#1 Make sure you have decent shoes and gear

So this may sound extremely cliché but I can’t stress how important shoes are. I’ve been in a constant battle with running shoes for months. I’ve always ran in the same brand because they are best for my arch support. Even though the brand and style are exactly the same I’m still fighting with blisters constantly. Before it was because my shoes had too many miles, now it’s because my body hates running.

Also pants are just as important as a girl sporting the thunder thighs I have advanced experience with chaffing. Just make sure all your clothing fits properly because the last thing you need is another reason to never run again.

#2 Sign up for runs that give away beer at the end

My latest running trend is training without any music, I started this because at some point in my life I thought running a triathlon was a good idea, and it turns out you can’t run with music (torture right). So I figured if you run 3.1 miles without music you can run any distance without music. So what’s this have to do with beer? Well my last run, as my thighs were chaffing and my feet were blistering I thought about beer to push me through. Seriously, all I could think was man this sucks, but an ice cold brew would surely fix the thirst quench I was experiencing.  I mean what’s better than consuming all the calories you burned right away by drinking a beer right?

#3 Run for a cause

I know the chart above totally contradicts this advice but one thing I’ve learned is running with a purpose is so much easier. So even if I’m just out for a casual “fun run” (oxymoron I know) I know I’m working towards my next competitive run. Also even though I kind of hate running knowing that 52% of the money I paid to run is going to breast cancer, or children makes me feel a whole lot better. Added bonus if there run gives out a shirt or some kind of souvenir so you can forever remember the pain.

#4 Create Mini games to play throughout the route

Compare running a 5k to an extended road trip, you can’t make it through a 5k without playing some form of mind game throughout the run. Let me give you examples of all the things that went through my mind and all of the games I played last weekend. For starters I was thinking: gosh you should eat better, maybe I should have had more than coffee before this, is this tutu making me less aero dynamic, is that a 5 year old a mile in front of me? Games I played: How many times can I pass this guy running intervals before I finish? (7) Number of times the dog in front of me trips his owner (3). Find a pace car and don’t lose sight of it (my last pace car was an 67 year old man and a huskie). If this fails create a list of things you’d rather be doing than running.

#5 Dress in style

This may seem like rather odd advice but here is my theory: MOST 5k’s are created to raise money for something, or for fun. With this in mind I see no actual reason to be dressed like a pro athlete. This way when I decide to push myself too hard and end up dead on the side of the trail at least the EMT can have a laugh as they scrap up my rainbow covered body.

In all seriousness, I do have a love hate relationship with running, bad knees will do that to a girl. Also I find running totally discouraging because I can make a list of 5,984 things faster than I am, starting with molasses, and ending with a melting glacier. However; running is addicting, as much as I claim to hate it I’m totally addicted to the runner’s high. I love how good my body feels, and how relieved my lungs are regardless of how much it sucked. So even if you feel like you can’t carry on, and your body is giving up keep going, it’s always worth it in the end. An old friend once told me, “your body is never done, your mind is.” I’m sure it’s a quote he stole off some inspirational tea bag, but either way he might be on to something.

Until next week,

Me