(PRT) Pre Race Tension - Beginners

10/05/2003 at 14:04

Support needed.
Have just realised 10k Charity Fun Run I've entered only has 30 entries!
Race is tomorrow!
I've run/trained for 10 weeks and can run 9 min/mile. Have asked people to sponsor my run and want to run but am afraid to come in last!!! What do I do?

Goo5e

10/05/2003 at 14:23

for me just being able to finish would be an achievment, something I am looking forward to when I get fit enough ( only just started plodding )
and also the charity that will benefit from your venture, they wont care where you finished, just thank you for making the effort and helping them.

anyway, you may not be last

mook

10/05/2003 at 14:41

Hi, I had the same concerns but in a race of 5000 so think you're very brave! I would guess though that there will be others of a similar standard, (9 min/mile is quick in my book)! Or, at worst you may come last, but then someone does in every race and I've heard that they often get the biggest cheers.
And besides, it's 'character building'! (sorry)
Hope it goes well, let us know how you got on, good luck!

Graydon

10/05/2003 at 14:44

I'll take a guess that you won't come last if you can run 9min mile pace.

Don't worry about there only being a few entries, there will probably be a number of people who enter on the day. If you do come last, console yourself with the thought that you've beaten millions of people who haven't bothered to run at all.

Smitch

10/05/2003 at 15:14

9min miles are not exactly slow CR! You will be fine don't worry. Just enjoy it!

The Road Runner

10/05/2003 at 15:32

just wrt immediate pre-race tension, waiting for the start of a big race, my HR sometimes sits at about 180 - b4 i've started moving!!

rusty perkins

10/05/2003 at 16:04

I'd be very surprised if you were last at that pace. You look around you at these races and everyone seems to be wearing either a running club vest or a t-shirt from past glories eg FLM and you're certain you're up against a posse of elite athletes....but you're not and the vast majority of the field will be around your pace.

3TL

10/05/2003 at 17:43

9 min a mile for a fun run is easily quick enough not to be last. You'll be fine.

11/05/2003 at 09:08

Thanks for your support everyone. You made me smile and laugh by setting things into the right perspective!

Just what I needed to release tension. Went for an easy run in local park yesterday. Azaleas and rhodedendrons are blooming right now. It's fantastic.

Will enjoy my run today. Goal is under 1 hour. Have trained hard and am hoping to succeed.Thanks again, you've all got great sense of humour!

Heavy Breather

11/05/2003 at 09:14

I am plodding in the Beverley 10K in about 2 hours from now. At this point I think the achievement is finishing.

Based on my training runs on part of the course over the last couple of weekends my finishing time will be just over 72 minutes. Looking at last year's results this would put me at 949 out of 955. Doh!

Never mind, I am doing this to participate and that's something the majority of the populace are not doing. Of course, if runners had weight handicaps to bring them up to my 15 stone + things might be different....

lazy lou

11/05/2003 at 11:16

Some wisdom passed onto me when i was 8 (a long time ago) by some scary looking swimming instructor has stuck with my all these years. She told me the the most important person in any race was the one who came last. It is the person who is last (or behind you) that inspires you to swim (or run in this case) faster. Pride yourself on being the last person- you have the most important role!!!!

11/05/2003 at 16:39

Came in top 30! ;-)
(Last 10k I came in nr. 615).
Achieved my goal,- got in at 57.42, even though there wasn't any mile-signs.
Created a bit of drama, as I nearly overtook someone on the finishing line,- we came in 1 sec. apart!
Raised £60 for British Heart Foundation, so I am pleased all in all.
Made sure the last person got the loudest cheers, a big hug and told her of all your great wisdom.
I had a lonely but great race thanks to you all, and I won't fear coming in last next time!

lazy lou

11/05/2003 at 16:43

fantastic CR! We all knew you could do it! Go and reward yourself now!!

Monique

pirate

11/05/2003 at 16:48

I was second to last at the coal race- happens to us all!

Caroline Awitti-sunga

25/10/2003 at 23:15

I have actually come in last for a 10k last year. This fact didn't particularly bother me, it was a lovely day and I was running well within myself. What did bother me was being followed by an ambulance for a large chunk of the race ... especially when it stalled behind me, made me chuckle ! Despite this I best my previous PB by 10 mins - my time 71 minutes and I ran(waddled) all the way.

Sueflo

31/03/2005 at 14:54

I'm running the Chester Spring 5 next Tuesday and am already feeling nervous. Reading all your messages has made me feel more positive though. I only started running last September and did the Southport 4 on Good Friday in 37 mins 30 secs which I was really pleased with. 5 miles shouldn't be a problem but am having the same fears as CR did, scared that I'll be up against hard core club runners! I'll let you know how I get on.

Slugsta

31/03/2005 at 17:48

I don't mind too much having the ambulance on my heels the whole way. It's the vultures circling overhead which really put me off!

01/04/2005 at 08:26

LOL, Ima,

Good luck Susan!
See if you can relax and put things into perspective. There is some top advice on this thread!

I don't know who boinged it, but I'm pleased it is has been made alive and it can make you feel positive about the race.

I'm in a running crisis myself, as I haven't run for several months.

I was meant to run Paris Marathon on the 10th of April, but haven't been able to fit the training in. I was so much looking forward to seeing the sights.

Anyway, it is good to be reminded of how I got started, how I have progressed and hopefully, it will give me that kick in the behind to get me restarted.

Sueflo

01/04/2005 at 09:10

Cheers CR. I spent most of yesterday afternoon reading stuff on this thread and am feeling tons better, I even went out yesterday lunch time and bought myself some running shorts and vest - I've been running in sweat pants up to now - so now I even look like a runner!!

01/04/2005 at 09:27

Good stuff, Susan,

It reminds me, that I am also in need of some new clothes and shoes. Actually, I think I will go and buy it today. I am sure that will bring me in the mood to try it all out!

I remember when I took part in my first cross country run. I was alongside "hard core club runners".

It turned out that they were "real people", they were equally nervous and had to do the same preparations as all the race virgins.

A race well prepared is usually a successful race.