To go fast, you must go slow. To go far, you must start short. This is my general philosophy surrounding my intent to return to running more, which is why I’m starting things off again with what’s considered in my circles a very short distance.
Five kilometers, which to many seasoned runners is practically just a warm-up, is not a distance I’ve covered too well lately. I really would love to get out on the road and run in the early mornings because it’s simply easier mentally for me. Treadmill sessions just aren’t cutting it, even with endless episodes of Madam Secretary and Elementary to keep me from being bored.
When I started running back in 2009, I already had a number of years of exercising for an hour a day as my fitness foundation. Hence, I was never really a “beginner” at running: my first race was a 10K. These days, I’m lucky if I can keep myself on the treadmill for 50 minutes and complete seven kilometers.
I am, simply put, run unfit (even though nowadays I can do great pushups and burpees, haha). But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I think there’s a tremendous opportunity for me to experience and understand what it feels like for most people just starting their run journey. I do feel like I’m just starting mine at this point.
So, I find myself signed up for the Milo Marathon Manila 5K race, which is on July 29. And I’m also thinking about registering for the TAKBO.ph Runfest on July 1 just because all my running buddies will be there to celebrate the 10th anniversary of TAKBO.ph. But how to prepare oneself?
(Yes, you actually do need to prepare for a 5K, especially if you haven’t been running as often as you should.)
I’ve been looking at 5K training programs, and this 5K run training program from Galloway (courtesy of the Mayo Clinic) looks pretty simple. Simple = higher likelihood I will see it through. And at only 30 minutes a day most days of the week, I don’t think I’ll have any excuse not to get down to it. (I probably play Cooking Dash for far longer daily.)
Wish me luck!
Good luck then, Noelle. Hopefully we get to meet in one of the races you mentioned.