Most common mistakes in a 5K

I would have to say a very mistake is starting too fast, especially if you dont race that much. I still have trouble controlling my pace on the first mile. its an exciting atmosphere, if forget to check my pace for the first mile because im wrapped up in the moment. What are some other common mistakes.

From my post in the other 5K thread, common mistake (if you want to PR) is starting too SLOWLY.

See that post for more info.

Man I couldnt agree with you more. I have always said to myself at the begining of every race its a good quote to remember " ITS ALWAYS EASIER TO STAY WITH THE LEAD PACK THAN TO TRY TO CATCH THEM". Most of that pack are out there to do the same thing you are pr or win!! Admin it sounds like from some of your post that you can handle some pretty good miles. That being said a 5k is only 18 to 20 min for you. Sounds like you might be beating yourself mentally. If you can do long runs that last a hour or better at a good pace than you can run a 5k and win. I say try sucking it up and race your A$$ off and remember the people you are running against are tired to. Warm up is the key.

im torn on this one, i would say probably start fast, if your holding back until the last mile, your not going to make that time up.
if your giving it your best, and then you have to slow down, at least there will be no question in your mind that ran as fast as you could for as long as your could.
even if you have to slow down 1.5 miles or around there i think you will find you can pick it back up, even for the last mile.
i thought about this a lot, and just mathmatically that seems to make the most sense

I think for a 5K you need to warm up at least a couple miles before the 5K starts. That way you can start out at whatever your 5K race pace is and not feel like you are sucking wind before you get done with that first mile. It usually takes me a good couple miles just to real get in my groove and having my breathing level out and not be labored, so for me, if I want to be competitive in a 5K, I have to get in a good solid 2 mile + warmup.

Sorry, I haven't loaded my picture yet, but I'm totally with you GPRUNNER. It takes me a good solid 2 miles until I hit my groove. The warm-up is the key, get the heartrate up and ready to rumble right from the start. If not, the 5K is just too fast a race to make up much time.

I've found I prefer the 10K or half marathon because I can use that first 2 miles as a warm-up and then crank out the last 4 of a 10K.

ditto KC. My preferred distance is the 10K to HM. I like to do one or two 5K's a year just to test out my speed, but I'd rather run a longer distance. 5K's are painful!

Like all the advice. I am doing my 1st 5k in 3 weeks. I will say on any run it takes me about 3 miles to really warm up. So I am going to have to agree with you all on that.

Thanks for the info.

__________________
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1463466647