r/nikerunclub

Hey everyone! Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm 48 years old and signed up for my very first 5K — it's the first weekend of May and I am equal parts pumped, excited, and nervous.

Honest confession: I have dreaded running my entire life. But I always had this one goal in the back of my mind — run a 5K. Just once. So here I am. And I have to say, since I started training, something has shifted. I'm sleeping better than I have in years, and there's this sense of accomplishment after every single run that I wasn't expecting. I'm genuinely hooked. Now I just need to get to that finish line.

I've been following the NRC 5K training plan and I'm right in the middle of it, which means race day is going to fall *during* the plan. I've been staying consistent with my runs, but here's my problem: I have done every single training run on a treadmill. Like, 100%. Never taken it outside. I know — I know. 😅

A few things I'd love advice on:

1. Treadmill to outdoor transition — What should I actually expect when I hit the pavement for the first time? Hills, uneven ground, wind resistance... I've read a little about it but hearing from people who've made the switch would mean a lot. Should I do a few outdoor runs before race day to break myself in?

2. Shoes — I'm currently running in the Brooks Glycerin 23s and they feel great on the treadmill. But I have a feeling the road is going to hit different and I'm thinking I might need something with more cushion or shock absorption for pavement. Anyone made the switch and noticed a big difference? Any recommendations? I've been looking at the Hoka Bondi 9 but open to anything.

3. Knee issues — running through patellar tendonitis — This is probably my biggest concern going into race day. I've been dealing with patellar tendonitis and have been managing it with a jumper strap, which has helped me stay in training. But I know pavement is going to put a lot more stress on my knees than the treadmill. For anyone who has run with this or worked through it — any tips on managing it race day and beyond? I want to finish this 5K but I also don't want to set myself back. Is more cushion in the shoe the right move, or is there something else I should be doing?

4. Race day tips for a total first-timer — Pacing, nerves, what to do the night before, warm-up routine... anything you wish someone had told you before your first race.

I'm not trying to win anything — I just want to run the entire 5k (speed/pace is not a concern), cross that finish line feeling good, and keep running after. For a guy who spent his whole life saying he hated running, that finish line means everything. This has motivated me for the last four weeks.

Any advice from this community would mean a lot. Thanks! 🏃‍♂️

i’ve been running on and off for the past nearly 30 years, and serious about running at least three times a week for the past 10 years. I’ve had some injuries like a stress fracture, sprain after tripping etc, but I’ve been really consistent about doing a long run, a speed run and a recovery run weekly. I’m trying to up my mileage so I’ll be ready for the Nike After Dark Half Marathon later this year. I haven’t started the official plan yet, just slowly increasing my long run distances. I did the 75min Long Run with Evan today and ran 7 miles so I’m not flying down the streets or anything. The problem is anything over 5 miles leaves my legs feel horrible for the rest of the day and I’m just so sluggish and tired. I usually have a glass of chocolate milk when I come back from my runs and the banana, followed by something protein a little while later. Do I need to add supplements like creatine? How do I get over this hurdle so I can go about my day when I return from my long runs? and I’m wearing Invincible 3s, so my feet feel fine, my quads are the ones screaming. Thanks!

Training for a half marathon while recovering from a knee injury, any tips or advice? It would be greatly appreciated