re: OT Runners: Signed up for my first 5K

8 minute miles aren't breaking recirds, but it's probably better than average in a 5k. Push yourself for a month and you'll have no problem. Worst case you can drop your pace by 30 seconds and that should leave enough in the tank to finish that extra mile. It should only take someone in decent shape about two weeks to go from couch to completing (albeit slowly) a 5k. You already seem to have a jump on it. So push yourself for 3 weeks, cut back the week before, and you'll finish with an okay time easily.