Nervous about running in a 5k race today

[Silvertap]

I recently started doing the c25k program. In a fit of madness I signed up to a 5k race thinking it was in May. Turns out I got mixed up and it's today!

I'm so nervous - I'm only on week 5 and covering 4.5k in the 31 mins. I'm worried everyone else will be super fast and I'll be plodding along miles behind everyone else!

Please reassure me I won't be the only one...

Good luck there will be loads of other people who's first race it is! You'll probably find the adrenaline kicks in and you run faster than ever too! Just enjoy it the atmosphere is always great

You're regularly running 4.5k - you will absolutely be fine OP and, as elilo says, the adrenaline will kick in and you'll probably run faster than you've ever run. There's no way you will be the slowest and what does it matter anyway. Well done you for signing up in the first place and have a great day. Please report back!

Thanks people. I know it deep down that I'll be ok but it doesn't stop the nerves!

I have found there's quite a bit of camaraderie between runners. I like it when the faster finishers come back to cheer us slower ones on.

You won't be miles behind everyone else and that type of distance will attract all abilities. You should be really proud of yourself! Good luck.

Hoorah!!

I am just off for a run myself (keen and competitive runner) and I just know when I come back and check you will have done the race, loved it, don't get well (31 mins for 4.5k is very credible) and be bubbling on a cloud of endorphins!

Trust me, you will be nowhere near last unless you have accidentally entered some elite race!

*done very well

Start of steady. People will go off like rabbits. Don't panic, it will settle.

And actually the last runner usually gets the biggest cheer. They're fucking doing it aren't they! Not sitting on the couch!

Your name in clear, bold lettering (hat? top?) means you'll get much more of a boost when onlookers cheer you on

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes...

Good luck! 31 mins for 4.5k isn't bad at all. There will definitely be slower runners - and I find that the crowd and other runners always give me a boost to run a bit faster anyway.

I see people posting times of 38-45 minutes on Facebook, hold your head up high & enjoy the event.

You were all right - I feel AMAZING!! I ran the whole way round without walking at did it in 30.42. Came 35th out of 116 and was the 15th woman.

Go me!!

Ha! That is amazing. Well done (when is your next one?!!!)

I'm doing the village 10k at
Easter.

Have a lot of training to do before then!!

Think I might sign up for a few more as it definitely keeps me motivated on a dark night

Hooray for Silvertap

That's really great. Good luck with the next ones, and especially the 10k. Keep us updated.

You better start planning your costume for next year's London Marathon at this rate!

Excellent - well done you!

Tell ya! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and you did very well.

Keep it up.