Would you enter a race you would be very likely to finish last in?

[Laurie]

I am to race this saturday in my first 10K race (i have run up to 13 k - so I know i'm able to run that far) - but I am not fast (about 6:30 - 7 min / km).
As i look back over the race results for this specific race/route for the last 5 years - i will definately come in last (by maybe 4 or 5 minutes)...

Now ofcourse I realize there may be more/different runners this year, but it seems there is a good chance that the trend will continue.

Would you run this race? I had committed to myself to run a 10K this fall - and the options are running out. I just started running a year ago this month (after 30+ years of being inactive).

Thoughts?? Suggestions of how to manage the mind game?
Thanks for your help.

[Cathy]

Yes, I would run a race even though I thought that I would come in last.  When I first started running (2years ago) and also after probably 30 years also of inactivity, I had no idea where I would come in the standings.  Some I was pretty close to last in.  I have learned that finishing is all that counts not the place that you come in.  Give yourself a break, you might be surprised and finish second last.

Good luck with your race and Have Fun.

[Petra]

My friend Tina and I started running about 3 1/2 years ago.  5 months into it we decided to run a 10k race in Belleville.  Our pace was about the same as yours, probably slower.  After the gun went off at the start everyone around us took off and within a few hundred meters they were all gone (including the runners running the half marathon).  And you know what, once all the other people were gone we really enjoyed the run.  No pressure.  We finished near the end, I think there were 3 or 4 people behind us.
When we finished people were cheering.  And it felt great finishing, no mattter, how fast or slow.

So I would say, just go for it, enjoy the run, don't worry about  possibly being last because, after all, you will run 10k and not everybody can do that.

Good luck with your race and have fun!
Don't forget to post a race report!!

[Laurie]

I think if i had someone to run 'with' me that would be a huge help...
maybe its time I grow up and face it myself tho!!!
Thanks for your suggestions...
i'll let you know what happens.

[Jane]

I would run it Laurie.  You may be surprised and not be last.  How long do you think it will take you?  I have found that lots of times the last runners get the biggest cheers. 

What is the run and where is it?  If it is in Kingston, I have found that their runners there are usually fast.  But don't let that deter you. 

When you pick up your race kit you could mention to them that this is your first run and how long you think it may take you just so that they are aware that there could be a slower runner and they know to watch for you.  But... this could be the first 10K for other people this year too and there may be others out there still with you.

[Laurie]

Yes, its in Kingston - its the Hotel Dieu Hospital run.
I figure i can for sure run it in 70 minutes - as i do that fairly easily in my training.. so i'm hoping it would be more like 65 mins... 

[Cathy]

Both are very respectable times.  And the Kingston races are full of pretty fast runners.  You will be fine without a doubt and like Jane said, not likely that you will be last with those times but if you are, think of the cheering you will get.  That always gives me the chills and brings tears to my eyes to see that person coming in and the crowd going crazy.

[Janet]

Hey Laurie,
     Congratualtions on deciding to take up this wonderful life of running.  I wouldn't worry one bit about where you come in.  There always has to be a first and a last place person, and I know no one really wants to finish last, but as Jane said, the last place finishers get the most encouragement coming down the home stretch.  You should take a look through "Sandy's Archives" to read the story about Robyn who completed her goal last year of running her first marathon in PEC.  Very inspiring, and might help to squash any fears you have about coming in last! (Which I don't think you would be that far behind if at all running a 65min 10km, I'd be darn proud of that for my first! )

[Robyn]

Well Laurie, you've come to the right place to ask that question.  I am, without a doubt, the champion of finishing last.  Out of all the runs I've done, (at least 15) I think I've been last either in my age category or the entire race field in all but three.  You know what?  I doesn't matter.  The important thing is that you got off your butt, put in the training and did something for yourself.  Some people think placing is important, but obviously I don't or else I would have trained my a** off. 

Let me tell you a little marathon story that all the forum ladies are familiar with.  Last year I decided to run the PEC marathon.  I put in long training hours, arranged to have my Mom meet me because I couldn't carry enough water or fuel bars, and still had the feeling that I would be last.  During every training run I mentally focused on crossing the finish line.  I didn't focus on what place I would finish in, just crossing that line and seeing friends.  It took me almost 7 hours to complete it.  I was so far behind everyone else, they started taking the course apart.  The roads were open, the car were whipping past me, the sidewalks of Picton were getting crowded, but all I thought about was crossing that line.  I had the race police car, ambulance, bus and sweep car following me for more than half the race.  At one point (about 34 km mark) I was using the port-a-potty and heard someone over the race radio ask the sweep driver if I was going to finish the race.  That was enough motivation for me to never give up.  I told the driver that I was going to finish this race whether I was running, walking or crawling.  And that's what I did.  When I crossed the line, most of the ladies from this forum were waiting for me and helped celebrate my success.

So I guess the answer to your question is: YES, I would.

[julie]

Laurie, I've been running for 10 years now, I have completed 8 half marathons and one marathon, and do you know what?   63 minutes for a 10K would be a very good time for me.  My best 10K time has been 55 min. but i am usually always around the 60:00 minute mark.  Just remember even if you do come across that finish line last, you are STILL ahead of all the people who DIDN'T enter the race and are at home sitting on their butts!!! 

[The Moose]

The important part is that you're now active.  That activity (if we haven't been lied to our whole lives) should help you be last in one race we all want to lose.  That's the race to the pine box.  Congratulations, you should be falling back in the field with every step.

As far as finishing last, read my signature at the bottom.  I (and this will suprise many of you) would definitely enter a race that I might finish last in.  I know that at this level that isn't likely, but if you don't put yourself up against people faster than you, how will you know how much better you can be?  What cyclist wouldn't want to ride in the Tour de France?  What runner wouldn't want a shot at the Olympic 100m title.  For almost all of us, those goals are a long-shot, but so what?  Aim higher.  If you don't shoot for the stars, how can you expect to hit the moon?

And I agree, even if you finish last, look at all the people who could have raced that day that didn't even have the strength to start.  You've beaten all of them.

Mike

[SNOWRUNNER]

Yo Laurie!!!!..
  go for it. It only matters if you care. When i started running ( this time ) , i was invited to run a 10k in Port Hope.
 Like Kingston, Port Hope is full of fast runners.Well there were only 25 runners, and 22 of them were sub 40 min 10kers.
  I ran a good run. my time was 46 mins for a pretty hilly race and a new runner i was doing very well. So yep... i came in 3rd last. was ok with that, i didnt and still wouldn`t give a hoot what  place i came in.
 So really if you dont care it dont matter, and if it dont matter then who cares!!
                 besides... your never last cuz most folks aren`t even off of the couch yet..
                                                       is it to late to register for that race??.. im in Kingston on saturday.. sooo if you need a run buddy i`ll trot along and keep you company.
                                                                                          Dave.

[Jane]

Dave.  Sorry, you are a little late.  I believe that the race was a year and a half ago. 

I believe that Laurie's sister-in-law resurrected the topic as a way of introducing herself and also to state how much Laurie inspires her. 

So welcome Suzieq13!  And do you live in Trenton?  Or somewhere else?

[SNOWRUNNER]

Oh. ..

[Cathy]

LOL