it's a great starting point for someone just getting into running. my first race was a 5k. not everyone in a 5k does it in 15-20 minutes. it's double that for some, especially the newbies. it's easier to draw a larger local crowd with a short race. new runners are much more likely to put down their money on a 5k race over a 10k, half, or marathon. there are lots of reasons 5ks are the most popular distance. if they are too boring for you.....don't do them.

just my $.02.

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70.3 is the cousin to OD........ Ironman has no relatives! -Simon Lessing

Or the hundred meter or the mile. Why bother? What's the point?

Oh...and all swimming races, some don't even take a minute so who cares?

Track cycling is probably pretty stupid too. around and around in cicles without getting anywhere.

Speed skating, there's another one. What are these people thinking about?

Horse racing. Now there's a sport. You can bet on it.

I have been racing Tri's for 9+- years and it all started with the Koz St Patricks Day race in San Diego. Thought I was going to die 1 mile into that race.

No it's not worth it!!! It's just that your 5K run time, as short as it is, is really one of the best benchmarks for just about all of your running range and it's a a great workout to boot. So yeah, just avoid them!

Fleck

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I LOVE the 5k! I prefer it to the 10k. I like how the 5k feels fast from beginning to end, yet it is still an endurance event.



Long live 5k!

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Adrian in Vancouver

easy there tigers...I never said they were stupid or worthless, I just said I personally don't really get them. But I never thought about from a newbies point of view, which is quite valid. Now I get it...a little more than I did.
Would you travel over an hour to race in one?
Mark

My apologies for the sarcasm

Yes, I would if it fit into my training schedule. For most people it's the perfect distance to really crank it for 20 minutes plus, RIGHT at their threshold, which lab, test after lab test and real world experience and real world experience has proven to be the best running workout.

Fleck

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

[reply]My apologies for the sarcasm

Yes, I would if it fit into my training schedule. For most people it's the perfect distance to really crank it for 20 minutes plus, RIGHT at their threshold, which lab, test after lab test and real world experience and real world experience has proven to be the best running workout.

Fleck[/reply]

I could technically do that for free anywhere at any time as well. And I wouldn't have to pay $30 entry and gas to get to the race. But again, I suppose if you really love them, it is worth the price.
Trying to open my mind.....

$30? Dang, and I thought racing here was expensive.

I like 5ks because my 5 year old can run them with me. She likes to be included in races. Of course we're not finished in 15 minutes, but she does pretty darn good for being like 3 feet tall.....kj

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Awww, Katy's not all THAT evil. Only slightly evil. In a good way. - JasoninHalifax

Fleck - that's a little vague - you might create a wave of geeks out running nothing but 20 minutes runs after that post. :-)

PROBLEM SOLVED...HOW TO BRICK A REAL 5k.

What you need to do is....bring your bike and Cycle Ops Trainer to a real 5k race. You will need a friend to watch and remove the bike and trainer after you take off for the run.

Bring all your bike training gear all the way up to the start line, before the running crowd gets mashed in there. Take your running stuff and lay it off to the side with a towel.

About one hour before the 5k starts, get going on your cycle ops right there by the 5k start line. Don't be bashful. Strap on your Ipod. Get your spinning way up there as you would a duathlon. Work up a sweat and start snorting and panting real loud. When you become thirsty, summon your friend to go run to one of the tables to bring you water THAT THE RACE PEOPLE INTEND TO USE!

Don't be afraid to stand out of the saddle on your bike trainer, on the start line, to show others your grimacing pain and training prowess.

Bonus points: 1. Wear a bike helmet. 2. Wear Cool Bike Shades. 3. Stand up and look back to mimic seeing if other riders are behind you. 4. Yell: "On Your Left" loudly every four to five minutes.

About one minute before the 5k race, start slowing down on the bike trainer. By this time, the crowd will be cussing at you and the RD may have already escorted you off the premises. But, if not, keep going.

Don't get out yet of the saddle and bike trainer just yet. Only when the 5k starts, are you allowed to dismount from the bike trainer. Once that happens, then run over to the side and put on your running shoes and start the race.

so what--you don't like them. alot of people do and it is an achievement for them, or just plain fun and inspiring. they always were for me, regardless of how great or poor my fitness level.

That's genious. I am so joing the dark side of tri's.

[reply]so what--you don't like them. alot of people do and it is an achievement for them, or just plain fun and inspiring. they always were for me, regardless of how great or poor my fitness level.[/reply]

Again, you missed what I wrote. I never said I didn't like them. And I clarified my post.

The key word is "race". Not everyone that "runs" a 5K, actually "races" it.

Dedicate 6 months to nothing but improving your 5k time, truly race one, and I'm sure you'll find it tough enough.

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Dan DeMaio
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Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein

ok, I will clarify once more.

I don't hate them, I don't think anyone that races them is stupid, I don't think they are a waste of time, I don't think they aren't tough (I have raced a couple and they were tough)...I just said I didn't "get" them. To which Fleck mentioned about them being useful for training and someone else mentioned about how good they are for newbies just getting into the sport.
So I will retract my earlier " I don't get it..." with a I get it and can see how some people may really enjoy them and find them useful. :)

So you admit to hating them?

But you still "Don't get them" as a goal race.

Like the poster prior stated. Make a 5K race a priority, train for it for 6 months, and race it. If you still "son't get it" I don't know what to say.

To me races are less about the race then about the training put into them, Them more you put into them the more you get out of them. Same pretty much follows for everything, flower arrangements, Banzai trees, crocheting etc. Put alot of effort into something to get good at at it...you'll probably "Get it".

~Matt

Markus Marcus - if the thread was about something similar, but swimming specific - someone like Fleck who's giving you a hard time would jump right over to your side. It just depends on the person and the sport. I can completely relate to what your saying if I put it in a swim context ;-)

But, if you're a hard core runner, and you want to be as fast as you can at multiple running distances then there's nothing like going real hard for 5K in a pack that's as fast and hopefully faster than yourself. Some people don't have people their own pace or faster around to train with - going to one of these races allows them to experience that. Lucky for me I had a pack of friends who could trash me at all distances anytime we went out for a run!

Do you speed up a little after being passed on the bike making the passer's job more difficult?

Do you "cut corners" on the run course, ever so slightly?

Do you let your toe nails grow longer each week for the swim?

Are you doubtful of the rulebook logic about handlebars without bar end plugs?

Join us....

 
To me races are less about the race then about the training put into them, Them more you put into them the more you get out of them. Same pretty much follows for everything, flower arrangements, Banzai trees, crocheting etc. Put alot of effort into something to get good at at it...you'll probably "Get it".

Good point. I get lots of other things. I do love running and use to run X Country in high school. That was pre-pizza/beer/wings decade, which is also known as my 20's ;) I have fond memories of those days and those races were tough. Not as tough as a Half but tough in a different way.

O.K.....now THAT'S funny!!!

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Dan DeMaio
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Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein

well, then let me clarify. alot of people "get them" by finding them inspiring, fun, for speedwork/training/learning, and for the pure enjoyment of running a quick race.