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Original poster

Anyone come last in a run - help me I'm panicking!

79 replies

applelolly · 03/05/2018 18:37

I am running a 10k run on Sunday. I used to run about 8 years ago, then fell off the wagon and basically did very minimal (no) exercise for about 5 years. I got back into running in Jan. I signed up for the 10k in feb thinking I would be ready for it by May!! My running has not been as much as I would have liked. I have been doing 5 k twice a week, and for some weeks I added in a 3rd run which I built up from 5k to 10k. I have only done 10k about 4 times though. I am also 3 stone overweight (although have lost 1 1/2 stone) and I am SLOW!! I am hoping for a time of around 75 mins for the 10K . I am now panicking I will be LAST. I know someone has to be, but I would feel so embarrassed.
Has anyone actually come last in a run? Please come and tell me it will be fine. I am dreading it!

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IrianOfW · 15/05/2018 12:42

And.... races are about beating yourself only. if that was not the case I'd never enter a single bloody one! I have got a sub-hour 10k twice in my life and since I've been training for a marathon I've slower. I am fully expecting to be near the last in my marathon at the end of the month - but finishing is my goal!

IrianOfW · 15/05/2018 12:38

It'won't be embarrassing.

The people who watch you finish are mostly likely to be

  1. non-runners who will be impressed you can run that far
  1. runners who have already finished and are super-fast sub 40 minuters who won't even register your presence (they live in a different time paradigm so slow runners simply don't exist Wink
  1. one of the majority of the running community who will be delighted to see you finish.

Best of all it's your first race so whatever time you do it will be a PB!

Have fun x

Original poster
applelolly · 07/05/2018 08:11

Just to inspire anyone else - and to prove how much I actually enjoyed the whole thing - I have this morning signed up for another 10k in July!! (having been muttering about NEVER signing up for a race again ever for the last 2 months!!) I am hoping it will keep me inspired to keep running. I am planning on getting some decent training in for the next couple of months and to see if I can improve my time a little bit. But I think I will feel more confident this time around anyway!
What I did realise yesterday was that once you set off and the group spread out you didn't even stop to worry where abouts you were in the group. I just ran at a comfortable pace and kept going! I obviously pushed myself at times (who decided to put that giant hill in from 6-8km??) but I didn't even stop to worry about whether I was at the back of the pack or not!
So...having today off (I may have consumed slightly too much celebratory prosecco at our BBQ yesterday!!)then back to training tomorrow!!

OP posts:
Lotsofplanetshaveanorth · 07/05/2018 07:14

Well done you - fantastic!

Original poster
applelolly · 06/05/2018 19:42

neolara fantastic! well done you. Stick with it. If I can do it anyone can! I am still buzzing from it!

OP posts:
Miloarmadillo2 · 06/05/2018 18:17

Well done!

Neolara · 06/05/2018 17:21

Congratulations!

You actually inspired me to go on my first run in months this morning. So thank you.

hmcAsWas · 06/05/2018 16:29

Fantastic applelolly - well done

Undercoverbanana · 06/05/2018 16:10

Brilliant OP!!!!! When I was out running this morning I was telling my friends about “someone I know who is doing their first race and worried about coming last”. Then I remembered that I don’t know you in RL but I felt so invested!!!! We were all supporting you. I run with some Ultra running guys and they are the most supportive of new runners. It’s a great community. What’s your next challenge?

crackerjackered · 06/05/2018 14:51

Well done @applelolly

ADarkandStormyKnight · 06/05/2018 14:29

This is so lovely to read. Hurrah!

Original poster
applelolly · 06/05/2018 14:24

Well I blooming did it! It was REALLY hot, about 25 degrees when we finished. Think I finished in about 72 mins (messed up my fitbit by forgetting to stop it on the finish line, so will have to wait for chip time) I wasn't anywhere near last. There were about 100 people behind me (out of nearly 700)We stayed and cheered the last folks over the finish. There was a great atmosphere. And a good mix of abilities. And I feel GREAT for having done it.
Anyone debating signing up for run, do it! I'm going to eat BBQ food and drink wine! Happy days!

OP posts:
EllebellyBeeblebrox · 06/05/2018 09:21

Good luck, and well done! Even if you come last which a) you won't, and b) doesn't matter, you're still far far ahead of those of us scratching our arses on the sofa x

swampytiggaa · 06/05/2018 09:16

Good luck!

MissMary0fSweden · 06/05/2018 08:42

Good luck!

hmcAsWas · 06/05/2018 08:31

Good luck today

Tiredemma · 06/05/2018 08:07

When I was training for the Great North Run I signed up for a 10 mile race just a few weeks before the GNR.

When I got there it was evident that this was a "serious runners" event and I felt a bit stupid.
Regardless I ran it anyway and quite early on I knew I would be the last. I still came in at a respectable time but a large chunk of the finishers were at the line cheering me. It was really kind of them and I didn't feel humiliated at all! I thought it was a lovely gesture.

BrownTurkey · 06/05/2018 08:03

Good luck

abbsisspartacus · 06/05/2018 07:42

I could never do what your doing last time I tried to take up running my thyroid stormed and I nearly ended up in hospital so head high and be proud when you make it

Bythepath · 06/05/2018 07:34

Good luck. My DH is often a back marker for his athletics club on trail 10ks and half marathons. He says it is always an encouraging atmosphere at the back. Anyway with that time as your aim you won't be last. Have fun.

Undercoverbanana · 06/05/2018 07:30

Good luck OP. Enjoy the glorious sunshine. Definitely summer running gear day so no loose flappy fabric. Vaseline your inner thighs.if your shorts are short short. I’m out for a 15 mile plod in a minute and will be cheering you on in my head.

ADarkandStormyKnight · 06/05/2018 07:26

Don't start too fast and keep putting one foot on front of the other.... you'll be fine! Good luck.

Neolara · 06/05/2018 07:26

Good luck! (from someone who has been trailed by an ambulance in one race and finished second last in another. Second last instead of last because the 75 year old man who had been talking to me the whole race, gallantly allowed me to cross the line before him.)

Hope you really enjoy the experience.

Original poster
applelolly · 06/05/2018 07:18

thanks for all the good luck wishes. Today is the day. I just want it over now!! Sun is shining. although it is not too hot yet. Woke up early cause I'm so nervous LOL I'll report back when it's all over!!

OP posts:
lostfrequencies · 05/05/2018 22:25

Best of luck!

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