5 Ways To Complete Your First 5K

Ah yes.  Spring is around the corner and as always, the warm weather triggers a little bit more incentive to accomplish something you’ve never done before. Plant some Petunias? Nope…and what the hell are those anyway? Clean the garage? Hell no. Wait for it…waaait for it…run a 5k!  But the last time you ran was from the cops. Remember? That time you egged your Math teacher’s house because he flunked you.

You were sixteen.

It was awesome.

Don’t fret.  We, here at The Rugged, will show you FIVE ways to complete your first 5k and not only do it in style, but with a slice of dignity and accomplishment.  Rock on [Your Name Here], because you are making a fine choice!

1. Buy a new pair of shoes

“But I just bought a pair!” Penny-loafers with the stupid tassels on the front don’t count. I am talking about running shoes. There is nothing better to motivate someone than going shopping and buying something. In this case it’s sneakers. Be sure to find a pair that fits correctly. There is nothing worse than running in a pair of running shoes that are too small. Not only can it cause blisters, it can affect everything from your ankles to your neck. Overpronator? (running on the outside of your feet) Buy shoes with mid-sole support. Got feet like a penguin? Do some research and find what works best for people with penguin-feet.

2. Find the Right Training Routine

Know what you are doing and what you are getting into. Don’t be lazy. Do the research. You can find everything from training regimes for first-time runners to techniques on how to run correctly right on the Internet. Once you have a routine in place, you can make sure it fits your other schedule – you know: LIFE.  Be sure to track your workouts, so that you can slowly progress. By keeping track of your data you will know how to pace yourself so that you don’t cough up a lung at mile two. It happens all the time (Not coughing up a lung, because I don’t even think that it is humanly possible). People come out of the gates like a “bat out of hell” and then hit a wall. Working with the right routine will only grant you success in your first 5K, so be sure to have one that works for you.

3. Get a Training Partner

Finding a training partner can help out a great deal, because you almost feel obligated to show up to train when you know someone else is making the sacrifice with you. Make sure you find the right training partner who will be equally, if not more, dedicated to accomplishing this goal. It is far too often that your training partner also happens to be your drinking partner…which is an equation for failure (and we all know you suck at math). Also, when you train by yourself, it can sometimes be hard to give that extra push. Having a training partner helps you subconsciously push yourself a little bit beyond your limits.

4. Run for a Cause

Raise some money and put it toward the charity of your choice. Maybe you want to run for a specific reason that is important to you. Whatever it is, it should inspire you to want to finish the race. Most 5Ks are for a specific foundation or cause, so pick one that suits your beliefs. Does someone near and dear to you have breast cancer? Lymphoma? Diabetes? There is probably a race that raises money for it. There are tons of websites that publish upcoming races in your area for you to look up. Even if you don’t finish (which you will), you will have still done something of which you can be proud – even more so than that time you ate a whole sleeve of Oreos without taking a sip of milk.

5. Have Balls

There is really no science or reasoning behind this one…just sack up and gut it out. Sometimes, as a man, you need to do things that remind you of just that: you are a man and men do shit like this to prove their friggin’ manliness. This is what makes us not women. Well, that and the fact they smell nicer, look way better in a bikini and wipe the toilet seat after we pee on it.

So what do ya think? Are you ready to run your first 5k? Yeah you are! Take these five steps and really think how you can apply this to your success. That way, when you cross the finish line, you can tell your friends at work, “It was because of my sweet new kicks!” or “My partner pushed me through and we had a great training regime,” or “I did it for a cause,” or “I have balls…that’s why I finished…because I-HAVE-BALLS!”

And, oh yeah, a 5K is 3.1 miles.

Mike Arone