Would you run a race knowing you would finish last?

duplicitous

Your honest opinion

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I damn near always have anyway. It's for the fitness and the friends you make along the way.

PixEm

Yup! I would because all I care about is myself succeeding and doing the best I can.

LemonBurns

yes.

I almost did that 1.5 weeks ago. I "ran" a 5k with my 4 year old. We were like 5th to last, but, she did the entire thing, I never picked her up to carry her or anything. About mile 2 my boyfriend came back and helped me encourage her til the end. Every finisher got a medal (see my profile pic). She was so proud of herself, and I was so proud of her. It didn't matter that it took us over an hour. It just mattered that we finished.

This made me cry a little. I want my 6 year old to run with me! That's AMAzing!

Leesseebee

Yes. Always Yes.
Race against your own inner expectations.
Know that completion is success.
Perhaps the best (and most extreme) version of this is a paralyzed woman who completed the London Marathon 16 days after it began (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/08/paralysed-claire-lomas-london-marathon?fb=native).
Go forth, succeed, but change your definition of success if you must.

sjflowers

yes, because i never raced against people. only against my own time.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I know I'm not fast enough to finish first, and everyone knows that the person who finishes first is the winner and the person who finishes second is just the first loser . . . so what difference does it make if you end second or last unless you're not trying at all?

htmlgirl

As long as I finished I would be happy because I used to not be able to run. Plus, you never know for sure that you will finish last so it's worth trying.

mgmlap

yup....cause there are hundreds of people who didnt attempt it..

TransTina

Definitely, yes. I have done in the past.

StarkLark

I've run two 5Ks so far, and I expected to finish last in both (I didn't). The position I place is the last thing on my mind... it's all about pushing myself and finishing

carrieo888

Done it! Many times. I was more interested in challenging myself than where I placed. And the more I did it, the better I placed; eventually coming in top 20 (out of 500ish) on a 50-Mile Challenge Walk. WOOT!

JBApplebee

Ezwoldo

Yes, you have to start somewhere in order to improve 4 years ago I started time trialing and I finished last in my first race now I have 1) got fitter and 2) got better at it I am now in the middle order. I'm not saying it's easy to take but you just have to set your own goals and target as you are only racing yourself really.

stroken96

Yes, cuz I could say I did it!

nicolefooch

I have before and I would again. I always tell people that don't want to sign up for a race because they think they'll be last that SOMEONE has to finish last and no one will look down on you for it. From what I have seen, the people in last get the most cheers because everyone is glad that they are just out there doing it. You'll never get better if you don't start.

Aperture_Science

Yes, I would.

Dead last finish
is better than
did not finish
is better than
did not start.

:flowerforyou:

But picked a suitable race, kept pace with some slightly better runners and posted a time that was better than expected is better still no?

Sure, it's better. however, I think finishing a 5k at 350 lbs, and having the balls to sign up for it in the first place is the REAL win.

I can see your argument and kudos to you for doing it. In your situation I can see that this was a massive achievement and showed grit and determination to enter and compete.

I'm coming from a different perspective. I can run reasonably well. I am lucky that I have the option to consider different races and work out the likely tempo of these. Races suitable for talented club runners are going to leave me right at the back whereas a general public run I'm going to be in the first third or so.

So, I can see that my "one size fits all reply" doesn't actually fit all.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I'm not a fan of running but if I become one then why not. I believe that its not important whether you win or lose but its how you play the game.

myfitnessnmhoy

I'm laughing so hard people around me are concerned. I am SO stealing this! Thank you.

kcgslp

WOW! I'm surprised I am in the minority here but the truth is...No.
I can go run on my own anytime. For me personally, registering for a race is entering a competition.
Competition means your performance counts.

But on the other hand I have run races where I knew I couldn't/ wouldn't go "all out" because of injury ... does that count?
But at the same time I also knew I wouldn't be last.

amandalynn636

Yep, I have and would do it again. I was just so proud of myself for running the entire time, I really didnt care that I was last. My first 5k I finished last, my second one, I finished second to last because a woman had to wait until her husband was finished before she could start (they had small children that needed look after), so she started 15 or 20 mins behind me, so at least I beat her(:

sophjakesmom

I recently raced in a sprint triathlon (300 m swim, 20K bike and 5k run) and was definitely concerned I would be dead last. But I decided my two goals were to run the whole 5K run and finish. That's it. I wasn't going to worry about my speed or my place.

I finished and was not the last person, but it really didn't matter because I had met my two goals. Remember that there are people who never start, people who start and don't finish, and then there are the finishers. If you are the last finisher, you are still in the top!

SKP1986

Absolutely. My goal is just to simply finish.

firesoforion

I need this shirt. One day it might save my life.

Seriously hilarious!

mamasyd

If it's worth trying, it's worth finishing. If I only attempted those things in which I knew I would excel, where would the growth be? If I only tried doing things that I knew I would finish first, I would not have lost the weight that I have because it was definitely an endurance race in which no 'speed records' were set!

autumnk921

Yes....I would definitely do it just b/c it would be a BIG accomplishment for me to even start one let alone finish it!! I would be very proud of myself!!

Ali_TSO

I can see your argument and kudos to you for doing it. In your situation I can see that this was a massive achievement and showed grit and determination to enter and compete.

I'm coming from a different perspective. I can run reasonably well. I am lucky that I have the option to consider different races and work out the likely tempo of these. Races suitable for talented club runners are going to leave me right at the back whereas a general public run I'm going to be in the first third or so.

So, I can see that my "one size fits all reply" doesn't actually fit all.

haven't done it yet, doing it in December, but I really appreciate it. Thanks!

OfficiallySexyVal

Of Coarse I would, as long as you finish that is the only thing that matters!!! I am running a 5K in September and If I finish last, so be it....at least I can say I finished!

BrianSharpe

A little OT but every year my tri club sets up a cheering station for the marathon and half marathon for Race Weekend in Ottawa (the club is around KM10 for both routes) . As you can see from the picture it wasn't a beautiful day but we stayed out to the bitter end and cheered through the last of the walkers.

]

I can tell you from the looks on their faces being dead last was the farthest thing from their minds.

montana_girl

Yes. I have participated in several small town races, and though I didn't come in last, I was close to last. I knew there was that, risk, but did it anyway. I run for me, so as long as I cross the finish than I'm a winner. And I'm ahead of all those people that didn't bother to sign up! :happy:

Ali_TSO

]

I can tell you from the looks on their faces being dead last was the farthest thing from their minds.

***TEAR***

Good for you guys! And good for them!