10k question

rebecca_d35

So this is kind of a weird worry to have, but here goes: I am a regular runner. I usually run 3 miles 3-4 times a week and one longer run (4-5 miles) once a week. I've never been super-fast, but I'm not just shuffling along, either. I just signed up for my first-ever race, a 10k, in May. When I'm running, being passed always bums me out. At least, passed by people who don't look like marathoners. But I'm guessing I will be passed by hundreds of people. For those of you who have run races before, did you acclimate to that since there were so many other people? Or was it discouraging? I guess I'm having visions of being the last one to cross the finish line, then sitting down and weeping. Not really, but I don't want to embarrass myself in my first race!

Nurse_krissy

I don't have a competitive streak when it comes to running - I race to finish, not to win. It's the personal victory of accomplishing the distance set forth that fuels me. You just have to remember that everybody has different abilities and training. I, too, run a moderate pace (anywhere between 9-11 mph, depending on the distance) and have never come in last. In fact, I'm usually in the top half for my age category (I'm 33).

From your picture, it appears you are a mom. Just remember that you have other responsibilities in your life other than training to win a race. For me, I'm a mom and I work 36 hrs a week. I exercise as much as possible, but it's not nearly what I would do if my schedule allowed. You are doing the best under your circumstances!

weep1872

Well let me start by saying CONGRATS on running! I have been running races for the last 3 years and the best advice I can say is do a training program that you like, I use Hal Higdon, www.halhigdon.com. The long runs on the weekend or whenever you do them are one of the most important things to do. You need to get up to long run of 6 to 8 miles and a very comfortable, even slow pace is fine. I have 40 pounds to lose and have been running 1/2 marathons, 10k, and 5k races with a steady pace of 8.3 or 9 min a mile. So, you can do it. Don't worry about people passing you, you will pass plenty yourself. Have fun and have a great mix of music on you Ipod....Good Luck with your training!

LorinaLynn

I admit I love passing people when I race, but others passing me is ok. The only person I'm really running against is myself.

jlburke2

I've done a couple of 5K events and I am far from a fast runner - I do about a 12 minute mile pace over the course. In my experience, if you stage at the start in the right pace range (usually that's how they group people, I think) then as you run you'll pass just as many people as pass you. At least that's what I've experienced. No need to fret over how you look as everyone is in the boat and focused on their own race.

LorinaLynn

I, too, run a moderate pace (anywhere between 9-11 mph, depending on the distance) and have never come in last. In fact, I'm usually in the top half for my age category (I'm 33).

Do you mean 9-11 minutes per mile? Because 9-11 mph would mean finishing a 5k in 16-20 minutes, and that's a bit faster than moderate!

sjcply

When people pass me, it pumps me up (or maybe pisses me off) and I run faster!!:laugh: My pace is always faster during an official race, being it people that pass me or the atmosphere, Im not sure! Congrats on your race and good luck!!

mamaspencer

i have run a few 5ks and people have passed me and I'm okay with that I didn't come in last and each time I did it my time got better and also when people pass you it makes you want to run faster and try harder.....my time for a 5k run outside was 5 minutes faster than on the treadmill strcitly because I was motivated by others!! Don't be discouraged especially since this is your first, you will feel amazing when you cross that finish line and so proud of yourself and you'll want to do it again Good Luck!!

gioisa75

Just set a realistic time goal for yourself and try to beat it!

BerryH

Hey, I've been running for nearly 15 years and I'm always towards the back of the pack, and have even been the last before! You're still going faster than the people who never got off the sofa!

Check out my blog about coming last in races, and why it can even be the best place to be!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/nice-guys-and-girls-finish-last-108783

reynolds33

I don't mind people passing me by unless they are pushing a baby stroller and pregnant.

I just ran the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K with my son and we were both bent on passing two guys in front of us. It had nothing to do with being competitive and all to do with the fact that they were running in nothing but speedos and cowboy hats. We smoked them!

Good luck on your 10K and have fun!

Samerah12

SO MANY runners are really only competitive with themselves. They're trying to beat their best time, not trying to beat you. See if you can adopt that attitude. If you can't, at least remember that's probably where most everybody else is at in their heads.

Also, avoid going too fast too early because you're worried about getting passed. A lot of those overzealous people who pass you sprinting along that first mile are going to start to struggle earlier than you- the person with the good mindset who is running smart and taking it easy the first mile or two.

butchrogers

The only thing I would do is set a goal. Then you don't have to worry about what people are doing around you. You will finish with the people that have the same goal.

engineman312

trust me, in the race, once the adrenaline and excitement of the race kicks in, you'll go much faster. i had previously only run a 9mm mile pace in training, but my first 5 miler, i ran an 8:30mm continuously.

sakamanojr

I believe that getting to the start line of any race is a VICTORY so that while I run the race I just concentrate on what I am doing and let the other runners do their own thing..

I do this because I have no idea what everyone else's background is in running. I also want to enjoy my own journey in this running life --- every race I practise what pace I want to run and there will ALWAYS BE FASTER RUNNERS than me.

A fact in my running life is that in my first 10k race I was 2nd last. There was no embarrassment, just relief and pride that I DID IT.

Good luck in May and congratulations on stepping up to a race. This is how we all started and many of us are ADDICTED.
Keep us posted on how you do and MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE AT YOUR BACK

lilybug13

I find that as long as you pace yourself well, (Don't take off too fast...) you will only be passed in the first half mile or so. After that, you will do all the passing (of people who took off too fast :-) )

Happyguy

Hey, I've been running for nearly 15 years and I'm always towards the back of the pack, and have even been the last before! You're still going faster than the people who never got off the sofa!

Check out my blog about coming last in races, and why it can even be the best place to be!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/nice-guys-and-girls-finish-last-108783

^^^This

To the OP:

If you race a lot or if you belong to a group of runners who also race you'll find yourself among the same people most of the time during your races. Let them be your competitors. If someone is just a little faster than you, they can be your motivation to train harder and race faster and you can be their motivation too. They'll be trying to keep you from passing them.

bas0179

Congratulations on running your first 10K. That is awesome! I have run in alot of races ranging from 5Ks-marathons and when people pass me it makes me work that much harder. You do need to keep in mind that a lot of people will start out really fast and then fade off. Try not to get caught up in the fast start because that can ultimately lead to you getting tired faster. Try to stick to a pace you are comfortable with and you will be surprised how many of the people that passed you are behind you after you cross that finish line. Try to think of the race as if you are racing against yourself. Set goals at different points in the race. Also, never discourage yourself when people pass you or you feel like you are not running at your best. I believe running these races are 25% physical and 75% mental. Having a positive mindset will make all the difference.

thepetiterunner

I don't consider it a defeat or discouraging when I get passed. You'll pass people too - do you keep track of that?

I also don't run to beat other people - I do it for me. To see what I'm capable of and to determine my worth in my own eyes on my own terms.

What I enjoy most about running in races is the sense of community. When else do you see so many people running en masse like that? Enjoy the race! Talk to other runners, make friends They don't have to be competition you know - you get to choose if their friends or foes.

Good luck!

slb106

I agree with many of the comments above. I would set a time goal for yourself and just try to beat that. I've done many 5Ks and am now doing half marathons. When I would run a 5K it was more about RACING the other people, but as my distances increase I find myself more focused on "running my race" and setting personal goals for myself. That being said, I highly doubt you will be the last one. I'm not sure about a 10K, but with a half marathon you will see people walking or doing a combo of run/walk. Good luck!

rebecca_d35

Thanks all. You are very helpful. And I'll let you know how it goes. I do need to start making time for longer runs. Like one other poster mentioned, I'm a mom to two young kids and work full-time, so it's hard to carve out larger blocks of time. But I will!

mummum2

I don't consider it a defeat or discouraging when I get passed. You'll pass people too - do you keep track of that?

I also don't run to beat other people - I do it for me. To see what I'm capable of and to determine my worth in my own eyes on my own terms.

What I enjoy most about running in races is the sense of community. When else do you see so many people running en masse like that? Enjoy the race! Talk to other runners, make friends They don't have to be competition you know - you get to choose if their friends or foes.

Good luck!

^this! good luck and enjoy it!! :flowerforyou:

sjtreely

Oh, gosh .... I've asked 80 year old men if they would PLEASE let me finish before them!

Honestly, it is what it is. You're not going to be first and you're not going to be last.

If you're totally worried, look up the results from last year and see where you fall. Most races have walkers. I suspect you'll finish before them.

Buy yourself a shirt that reads, "IT'S NOT NICE TO COUNT OUT LOUD!"

To date I've run in over 36 half marathons and too many 5K's and 10K's to count. I've placed in a few and have finished last in a few.

Runners on the whole are very, very supportive people. I've never met one - not one - who made me feel unworthy to be at the race. You won't either. We're too nice.

bridies01

I ran my first 10k last summer (after having started running a year prior) and I was terrified! I'd done six mile training runs just a couple times. I didn't know what a good pace was, etc. I was worried I would take off too fast and not have the endurance to keep running. So my goal was to simply run the whole thing and not walk. I agree with what someone said about looking up the prior year results and seeing the spread of times - that will give you some idea. If your pace is about the middle of the pack, start somewhere in the middle of the crowd. Start too far up and you will be passed a lot and run the risk of starting too fast. Too far back and you have to waste energy passing other slower runners. Good luck!

theginnyray

To be honest, you WILL get passed (and probly by men and women twice your age). But you will also pass a lot of other people! It's part of the experience.
You won't come in last, I promise. And if you do? Well, someone has to come in last. You still managed to finish before all of the couch potatoes, right?
I came in 2nd to last in a small 10k last fall. I think there were 40 participants? It was awesome. The last girl and I were neck and neck for the last two miles, she'd pass me, I'd pass her - back and forth back and forth. I had so much fun participating! That race ended up playing an important role in getting me even MORE ready for the half marathon I was running later in the month.
Just have fun with it!

lglg11

When I ran my first 5k , there was a 73 yr old man who was speed walking .... passed me like I was invisible

rebecca_d35

Checking the race results from last year was a very smart idea. I doubt I'll finish this race under an hour, but there were plenty of finishers well over that. So I won't be hobbling the last mile alone, at least. Thanks again.

BerryH

I did 1 hour 20 mins for my last 10K, which was pretty hilly and mostly off-road. I'd say I was about 7/8 of the way back in the field.

Di3012

So this is kind of a weird worry to have, but here goes: I am a regular runner. I usually run 3 miles 3-4 times a week and one longer run (4-5 miles) once a week. I've never been super-fast, but I'm not just shuffling along, either. I just signed up for my first-ever race, a 10k, in May. When I'm running, being passed always bums me out. At least, passed by people who don't look like marathoners. But I'm guessing I will be passed by hundreds of people. For those of you who have run races before, did you acclimate to that since there were so many other people? Or was it discouraging? I guess I'm having visions of being the last one to cross the finish line, then sitting down and weeping. Not really, but I don't want to embarrass myself in my first race!

To be quite honest, when I have run in races, I have been so focussed I don't notice when anybody passes by, plus there are so many people either running or milling about cheering their families and friends on that it takes the attention away from runners running past me lol.

You won't embarrass yourself I am sure, I bet this will be the first of many races you know, because once you have done one, it tends to get a little addictive

I strongly suspect you will not be the last one to cross the finish line either, especially if you train regularly. When you run on the day you will see what I mean, it is difficult to explain, but I seriously think you will love it.

WTG on taking the plunge and doing the race by the way, some people NEVER get that far x

sweeney73

Hi December,you will be fine. I have done a few 10ks and i am happy just to finish for now and it is a great achievement .i always get nervous ,theres no need for it,everyone is so friendly all out for a good day. i have always started at the very back ,its great when you overtake so many people, i know you will have a great day.so stop worrying you will do really well . and signing up for loads more.

rybo

Recreational raceers/runners need to leave any hint of an ego at the start line, or back in the parking lot. Unless you are a top tier athelete you are gonna get beat people people of all shapes, sizes & ages.

you can't worry about anything but you & the clock.