10K run race- should I give up or do it and look like a fool?

[Keengreenbean]

I entered a 10K running race last year- purely to challenge myself, give me motivation to train etc. I am slow and ploddy and have no problem with that! For a variety of reasons I couldn’t run and I have just found out my entry was postponed till tomorrow! I have emailed to ask to defer, they have not replied so I think if I don’t go I will lose my entry fee/ chance to do a future race instead.

I have barely run all year, my trainers are off road trail shoes (this is on tarmac), I know I won’t achieve anything like the time I predicted for myself (when I was regularly running last year).

This is my first ‘race’ do I don’t know what to expect. Should I just forget about it, or go and do it- potentially be unable to finish or look like an absolute idiot being really slow?? Help me decide!

Try it! I did one with no training and having other people there made so much difference. I think most exercise is mind over matter (and sometimes mind over bladder). Good luck. You can do it even if you walk xx

I’ve reported the other post, my phone told me it hadn’t posted, apologies for the duplicate! See, I can’t even post about a 10K race, never mind run it...

Yes absolutely just do it! As long as you’re fit enough that you won’t do yourself any damage. You can always walk if you’re too tired, and it gives you a starting point to improve from for next year. Honestly I did a half marathon with no training (I was a lot younger then!), went really slowly, walked a lot, but it was a brilliant experience. You won’t regret doing it but you might regret not doing it. Good luck!

A 10k is pretty tough to do with no training at all, but it is possible! Take it slow and run / walk, especially in the second half, and you’ll be fine. Just keep moving in the right direction and forget about the time! At least then you will have the satisfaction of completing it and a ‘PB’ to beat

Your shoes won't matter, trail shoes are fine on tarmac (it's the other way round that's the problem)

I'd do it, as long as there's some prospect of finishing

You won't look like an idiot for being slow - I do a lot of events, and the range of finish times is considerable. Near the back is a very friendly place to be!

Thanks all, I’ve just read the race letter, so it looks like you’re managing to talk me into it I think I should be able to do it without injuries etc. I haven’t run 10K for a while, but I’m not unfit generally. I’m just worried about looking stupid amongst lots of fast runners (especially since they’re starting us off in small groups due to covid restrictions). But why would anyone be looking at me?! I would tell my kids to just go and do it, so I guess I need to get my big girl pants on and run. I’m also annoyed at myself for not doing much running since last year...

DO IT DO IT DO IT. Finishing last not an issue - 10ks get loads of steady runners and walkers, even in Covid times. Eg, finishing times at last weekend's St Albans 10k ranged from 30mins to 1h 22.

For a short distance, trail shoes on tarmac are also fine, so don't worry about that - though I wouldnt fancy them for a road marathon!

Good luck

I love coming last at races 😊 it’s a brilliant place to be!

I did the marathon in trail shoes, they were more comfortable. The groups will disguise your speed, just do it.

Doing my first ever trail run tomorrow - feeling v nervous but the fact that no spectators are allowed due to COVID is really helping - no one should be milling at the end as i stagger in
Staggered start with fastest first means hopefully I'm near the back to begin and I should manage the route before the sweeper come through (I'm doing the shorter route)

Good luck OP - it will give you a base line for the future if nothing else!

Go for it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Ok, I’m doing it! I’ll report back tomorrow! Thank you everyone

Race bib question for you race officiandos- I’ve had to print my own race bib, so it’s on standard A4 paper. Is this correct? Do I just safety pin it on to my top or is there a better way to affix it? I’m wondering if I should have printed it smaller so it doesn’t run against my arms.

Good luck Chocolateteabag!

Good luck OP!

Safety pins are fine.
Never heard of printing your own bib... my printer ink would run 10k itself when wet!

Have fun!

I've never printed a bib for a RL event (you get printables for a fair number of Virtual's though, but I never bother)

Yes safety pins are fine

Starting off in small groups is the new normal - the crowding at the start time is one of the risks that can be removed. So gun time is gone, and it's all on chip if they give you a finish time.

At the (one - ha - perhaps ignore me, too small a sample) covid event it's done, runners were told to go forward in approx finishing time order and were marshalled into a suitable distanced queue, which inched forward to the start, where runners were called forward in fours and set off, one group every 30secs.

It means no jostling as there's space for everyone to find their pace. It doesn't mean that anyone is conspicuous, because it's a steady stream.

Update! Thanks so much for your encouragement everyone. I did it! It’s a very flat course and the weather conditions were great, I managed it in 1hour! If I’d realised I would get that time I’d have sped up a bit more! I never thought that would be possible for me today

I may just enter again at the end of the year race to encourage me to get out more over the summer...

Fantastic!!!!! Very well done!!!!

That’s brilliant! And a fantastic time too. Well done!

Oh, well done! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Congratulations! That's a great time!

Great job! That's a really good time too.

Well done! 👏👏

Your time is better than mine at my peak fitness .

Well done @Keengreenbean - and good time too!

I woke up to snow  race still went ahead but the longer distance ended up just doing a second loop which must have been mentally hard
It was bad enough doing the hills just once!
It was super well organised - just how @AuntieStella described with waves of 6 going every 2 mins

I managed 68 minutes for just under 7 miles with 300 of ascent. Pretty happy with that - don't think I could have done any quicker without jets!

Blimey. I would be absolutely delighted if I ran 10k in an hour. Congratulations.

Thanks everyone

Amazing @Chocolateteabag, sounds like challenging conditions- snow and hills! Well done!

Thanks for all the reassurance, I had no idea what to expect having never signed up for a race before and I normally just run alone. @AuntieStella was right, the waves of groups starting made it easy to blend in and the race was round a very flat, easy course with more than one lap, so it was difficult to know who was on what lap and no one would have cared anyway! If anyone else is wondering about whether to sign up, then I highly recommend!