Hi all
Have entered my first 10k race, with the ambition of just getting round.... but I look at the times for last year, and running as I do now, i will DEFINITELY be last. I know that someone has to be, but I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be me. I have 5 months to prepare.
Has anyone come last? What is it like? Any tips? Should I withdraw?
Linds
Comments
5 months?, blimey, you've got stacks of time to improve.
As for coming last, I've never come last, however, from what I have seen, people towards the back of the pack tend to get a great deal of support from the spectators and those that have already finished.
I have never come last either but I can safely say that no one will be pointing and laughing at you if you do, as Dano says most stragglers get a lot more support than you'd expect.
Take the Great South Run on Sunday, I was walking back to my car and there was a lone guy in his wheelchair just passed the 5 mile marker and everyone he passed gave him a " Go on mate keep going" or "Almost there mate"
i had the same attitude when i entered my 1st race a 5k i had 3months i downloaded a couch to 5k podcast on my i pod (if you like running with an i pod!) and it starts nice and easy 3min run 3min walk and goes upto 30mins continuous running
i achieved 30th place out of 55
just the fact you have entered gives you the believe to do it it doesnt matter if you do come last as long as you do yourself justice
good luck with the training and keep us updated with it x
Thanks everyone, that makes me feel much much better. I just want to get round without walking. Should I get my family to come and cheer me on, or not?
If you think it might help, yeah, why not.
I did my first ever 10k without any support from family, and TBH, there was enough general support for me not to miss it.
Since then, at least one member of my family has been at many of my races, not sure it makes any difference, but its nice to have some support, although my latest 10k, my mum was at about 7k, and I was working quite hard, she shouted to me "Is it hard work", I muttered some expletives under my breath, of course its bloody hard work!!!!
I was joint last (with my friend) in one of my early 10k races.
We got lots of cheering and clapping (and not just 'cos the marshals wanted to go home.....)
It really doesn't hurt
(and good for you for entering!)
I've been joint last and went through the finish line hand in hand with the one other backmarker to huge chears and applause. It was great!
LindsD, i've been last in a race, and it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would have! lets face it, someone has to come last, even if it was only elites running....they never cross the line all at the same time. As others have said, you've got plenty of time to keep training and improve your speed etc etc.
What kind of warmup do you do at the moment? i have to admit i never warm up before a race, but i'm so slow anyway that my whole race is a warm-up I would say don't do anything different on race day to what you'd normally do in training, so if you warm up now, do the same thing on the day. If you can try and do a few early morning runs before teh race (weekends probably best for you) then you'll know if you feel any different. You may have to get up extra early if you want to eat brekkie and leave enough time for it to digest (say 60-120 mins? Depends on what suits you best). A lot of things come through trial and error, so try out all the things you're not sure of in plenty of time so you're not worrying on the day.
Get your friends and family there....they can hold on to your bag for you and provide food at the finish like Cake said...RESULT!
Happy training
I just came last in the marathon I did on sunday (5.15) it was hot (abroad) and I had a terrible race (many things went wrong) but I couldn't have given a toss, my son (5) ran across the line with me and as I passed out on a chair told me "well done mummy - you did it."
I've come nearly last and have to say being actually last is better.
Em
Aw that's sweet of your little boy SandO
I've come last more than once, last time was when I did a fun run when pregnant and I got a huge cheer. I'd def say get your family there to cheer you on too
As for how long between running and breakfast I'd say try at least an hour but try things out. Some people can run quicker than others after brekkie. What sort of breakfast are you currently eating before running?
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=2075
The piccy is of me - in the days when I actually was a runner
Try beingg the last swimmer in a n open water triathlon- you get lifeboats, canoeists, coastguard- what an entourage!!!
Brilliant fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck and good for you.
I love having my family to support but it doesn't happen often as Sunday runs clash with their sports activities.
There was one fairly local HM that meant they could get there in time to see me finsih after their sports.
They turned up just in time to see me run in and as they didn't see anyone else go through before me, the younger one thought I'd won!
Priceless. As I'm never ever likely to win anything, I will cherish the moment.
And 5 months is a long time to get some speedwork into your training and see if you can speed up.
I was last in my first ever 5 mile race - with local club events you sometimes get a special prize for being last
It was fine every one really cheers you in and the marshalll are partly grateful to see you as it means they can go home but I didn't mind that as they were smiling at me
(I wasn't last though - honest!)
There's nothing wrong with coming last!
We just need to remember why we run in the first place. And that, regardless of position, we made the effort and didn't just decide to sit in a chair and watch re-runs of Quincy.
Nothing wrong with coming last. The fact you are entering and challenging yourself is enough. I always think i am going to come last and haven't so far. But towards the back you get soo much support.
Don't worry, train and have fun.
I came last running my 1st all terrain race.
I had lot's of applause crossing the line.
A lot of people clapping were probably thinking he may be last but I could have never done it!
I do not care about coming last, running is all about finishing a challenge for me.
I may be last in my next race as well if I don't step up my training!
Actually the same happened in a bike road race too.
Don't worry about it and enjoy the race !