male only Running my first 5K next Sunday

[NJDad 173]

OK, I am not quite sure if I am ready for this, but a friend has talked me into running a 5K with him next Sunday. We are both Jets season ticket holders, and the NY Jets are having their annual Turkey Trot next Sunday morning at the team's training facilty.

He and I were at a game last month and he was asking me how my weight loss was going. I explained how I have been biking and running for my excercise. He told me about the Turkey Trot and how he was going to run it. My buddy runs the NYC marathon, so a 5K is like a walk to the corner for him. He said it would be good for me. I'm not so sure, since my usual runs are about 1-1.5 miles. 5 kilometers is 3 miles.

The Jets coach, Rex Ryan had Lapband surgery and looks great. Mike told me that maybe I'd get a chance to see him and we could share tips on our weight loss

We all need goals, right?

Well, I am amping up my running the last two weeks. My legs are like rubber today, so I took the day off. I realized that the one thing I have to make sure I have for that run are good sneakers, and tight shorts.......Things are bouncing around far more than they used to.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?

If I don't pass out or have a heart attack, I'll post pictures next week.

Ron

[Leepers 1,195]

Ha ha! Things do bounce around more than they used to. Lol. I love it that you are exercising and running. I was mostly doing the elliptical and not very seriously doing C25K back in September when a friend asked me to do a 5K in October. I figured I'd better get serious and started running outside regularly. Not only did I run that 5K, I've kept running since and now I can run 6 miles! I'm slow as hell, but I love it! I'm planning on doing the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon in April (in my hometown of Louisville).

My advice is to do the 5K. Pace yourself slowly. If your friend is a runner, you most likely will not be able to keep up with him. I would tell him ahead of time that you'd like to go at your own pace and that you'll see him at the finish line. If you have to walk some, then so be it! What an achievement just to finish. And it's fun to participate in an organized event where everyone is doing something healthy.

For shorts, I'd see if you can find some tighter biker style shorts and then wear regular loose running shorts over those. It'll help hold ya in and not show all your parts.

Hydrate and eat something small about 30 minutes before the race. Like a Protein Bar. Best wishes to you!

[NJDad 173]

Thanks for the advice Leepers. I'll keep it all in mind. I am looking to finish, not finish first......so if my friend takes up a quicker pace, I'll meet him at the finish line.