What's the best way to start a 5k?

I'd say go out slower then. It's more fun to pass people in the 2nd and 3rd miles. Go out in 5:30, no faster.

I would say (5:20) first mile. Don't go to the start line thinking about 3.11 miles. GO into the start thinking about mile 1. Once you hit the one mile then think about mile 2 and so on. I've been doing this lately and its been working really well. So just worry about one mile at a time and just run baby. Run your own race.

As much as I totally agree with the two posters before me, all I have to say is I set my 5K PR in a "too fast first mile" race. 4:47-5:18-5:15-:30=15:50 (Yea, I know, maybe that day if I just hit 4:57 I may have been able to hold that, or 5:05s, to run faster overall)

I always say get to the first mile as comfortable (and fast) as possible, hit the second mile hard, seeing your split at 2 will motivate you to keep pressing the third mile. Like HMArunner said 5:20, and that will feel easy, then focus on the second, etc.

Tackleberry wrote:

I tend to go out too hard and blow up a little. I'm around 16:50 - 17:20 depending on the course. Any advice?

No matter how hard I try, it's almost impossible for me to hold even through 2 miles and then go slightly negative in the last mile. About 2 months ago I did very well (for me) with a 17:20. I hit mile 1 in 5:25, mile 2 in 11:02, and mile 3 in 16:46. So I fell off a bit in the third mile, but I was all alone at that point and didn't have anyone to chase or to push me. I usually try to hit the first mile of a 5K in 5:30. If I'm fit that shouldn't feel too difficult. But, 5:15 or even 5:20 would feel difficult and I'd pay a huge price for that.

What i do to avoid going too fast is, after about 400 meters into the race, I make a mental effort to relax my shoulders and upper body. I think this helps me contain the pace through mile 1. Once I have the pace under control the rest of the race takes care of itself.