So my dilemma

justal313
justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am running a race in early november. You can sign up for a 5K or a 10K. I ran one 10K back in July when I really wasn't ready for it and ran 1:19:29 but there were over 5000 runners and I was far from last and I wasn't even last in my age group. I've since ran further than 10k and the last time I did, I checked my time at 6.2 miles and it was 1:03:xx so I knocked 16 minutes off my time. Go me.

I'm looking at the times from the last two years for this race, both lenghts.

Worst 10k time, period, was 47 minutes and change meaning not only would I be last in my very small age group but I would be LAST overall.

Worst 5K time for my age group is 28 minutes and change. My best 5K time is 29 minutes and change.

The worst 5K time for the race is longer than my 10K but I'm assuming those are the walkers.

So I'd like to run a 10K but I don't want to come in dead friggin last.

Do I suck it up or do I run the non-embarrassing 5K?


UPDATE: You've all convinced me. I'm signing up for the 10K.

Maybe I can make a personal best.
«1

Replies

  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    I say suck it up and run the 10K. The best way to improve yourself is to to put yourself against those who are better than you. That way, if you do come in better than you thought you would it's a valid victory. If you run in a race you know you're going to win, then it's not really a race to begin with...it's just some cardio exercise you participated in.
  • gaj87
    gaj87 Posts: 53 Member
    You run the 10K. Don't worry about everyone else. Just best your time. You are who matters.
  • SavannaN
    SavannaN Posts: 148
    Just suck it up. Let them be motivation for you. Even though you may not obtain it, try and become the second to last person. You never know, you may just surprise yourself.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    Run the 10K and bank on the adrenaline of race day shaving a few seconds off your time anyway.

    What's living for if it isn't for chasing down the next challenge?
  • BSchoberg
    BSchoberg Posts: 712 Member
    Suck it up and do the 10K! You might find yourself setting a personal record, just by being with faster runners. AND, there is no shame in being dead last.

    RUN! :flowerforyou:

    ETA: if you do the 5K just to save face, you should be ashamed.
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    I say suck it up and run the 10K. The best way to improve yourself is to to put yourself against those who are better than you. That way, if you do come in better than you thought you would it's a valid victory. If you run in a race you know you're going to win, then it's not really a race to begin with...it's just some cardio exercise you participated in.

    I don't mind not winning, there's no real danger of that, I just don't know I feel about literally coming in dead last. :frown:
  • gauchogirl
    gauchogirl Posts: 467 Member
    Run the 10K.
    Finishing, even last, beats the hell out of not trying because you're scared.
  • jessepants
    jessepants Posts: 60 Member
    Do the 10k. If you run the 5k you'll be kicking yourself afterward
  • KJoy7
    KJoy7 Posts: 246
    Do the 10K..... :smile: I have a feeling those numbers are not right. I don't think you will come in last!! You can do it!!
  • deniseearheart
    deniseearheart Posts: 919 Member
    I say just run it if you can... Do you realize how many people (like me ) that can't run AT ALL....
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    If you are really really bothered by the idea of coming in last (and it sounds like you are) then run the 5k.

    BUT

    A. You never know who'll enter it this year--might be several runners slower than you.

    B. You still have a month of training left.

    C. You've already made great improvements on your time, it's entirely possible you could knock several more minutes off.

    D. I found that I ran a lot faster during races(rather than on my own), having people to pace off of or slower people to pass was very motivating.

    You could really surprise yourself.

    Good luck no matter which you choose. :drinker:
  • drewbird911
    drewbird911 Posts: 117 Member
    You need to ask yourself; Why are you doing it in the first place? If your goal is to give yourself something to train for and moitivate you then sign up for the 10K and do your best training to be ready and do your best. If you don't want to embarse yourself just sandbag and do the 5K but you need to work hard and kill it.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Who cares if you are last? Are you running to prove something to yourself or others?

    Be last and be proud that you at least showed up and finished.
  • tarakizer
    tarakizer Posts: 52
    I am pretty confident that they have a typo on their 10k results page. I betchya the worst 10k result was 1 hour, 47 minutes.
  • BetterCrazyThanLazy
    BetterCrazyThanLazy Posts: 336
    Suck it up and run the 10K! You will be charged with adrenaline and you will be surprised how much faster you will be going during the race! Good luck! You will do great!
  • njitalian
    njitalian Posts: 52
    Do the 10k.. it sounds like the only reason you don't want to is because you are worried about coming in last. I think that in itself would be the motivation to push yourself harder and not come in last.
  • Erienneb
    Erienneb Posts: 592 Member
    Run the 10k! What is life if not challenge? I say keep an eye on the stragglers and keep near them, then bust it out at the end to pass them by like half a second.
  • BetterCrazyThanLazy
    BetterCrazyThanLazy Posts: 336
    I am pretty confident that they have a typo on their 10k results page. I betchya the worst 10k result was 1 hour, 47 minutes.

    Hmmm, I think 47 sounds right. If you run 6 miles at 10 minute pace you will finish in 60 minutes.. :)
  • helpmeherman
    helpmeherman Posts: 21 Member
    Suck it up. Just last weekend I ran in a 10K and I was 2nd to last. And that was with a decent time. I ran it in 1:10, which isn't bad. The person before me finished in less than an hour. So there were only two people that took over an hour to finish. My friend was dead last, she had the golf cart behind her the whole way. But, she finished. I finished. So we call it a win. Just do it. Somebody has to be last.

    You beat everyone who doesn't show up.
  • sylvuz323
    sylvuz323 Posts: 468 Member
    Challenge yourself don't worry about where you will finish!
  • Brengild
    Brengild Posts: 127
    "DLF>DNF>>DNS" which means Dead Last Finish beats Did Not Finish which greatly trumps Did Not Start. In other words, go for the 10K.
  • RubyWare
    RubyWare Posts: 51 Member
    Who cares if you are last? Are you running to prove something to yourself or others?

    Be last and be proud that you at least showed up and finished.

    ^^this^^
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    I am pretty confident that they have a typo on their 10k results page. I betchya the worst 10k result was 1 hour, 47 minutes.

    Hmmm, I think 47 sounds right. If you run 6 miles at 10 minute pace you will finish in 60 minutes.. :)

    MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 49
    Place No. Name Ag City St Net
    ===== ===== ==================== == ================== == =======
    1 83 Jeffrey Hargreaves 45 Merrimack NH 35:35
    2 72 Andy Gish 40 Lincoln MA 35:37
    3 363 DAVID SNELSER 45 38:14
    4 260 Thomas Scanlon 47 Lowell MA 39:04
    5 258 William Peters 48 Manchester NH 43:29

    But there were actually a couple of people when I looked at the overall results that were longer than 1:10:xx
  • allifantastical
    allifantastical Posts: 946 Member
    I do 5k's when I can hardly run at all so I walk about 80% of it. I didn't sign up for one for a long time because I was afraid to come in last...but who cares? At least you are trying!! Go for the 10K.
  • laarae
    laarae Posts: 332 Member
    really who cares if you are last-did you finish-isn't that what is most important
  • FrostyLady
    FrostyLady Posts: 6 Member
    Run the 10K.
    Finishing, even last, beats the hell out of not trying because you're scared.
    that is so the best advise!!!
    I ran 20k this summer and couldn't care less if I were last( Wasn't too far ) but I was simply so proud of doing this!!! I'm 48, scrapped 30 years of them smoking!!! Doing this helped me surpass myself, and at the same time I encouraged a good cause!!! Go for It||||
  • redredy9
    redredy9 Posts: 706 Member
    SUCK IT UP.

    Iin every race someone has to come in last but even the very last person to cross the finish line - crosses the finish line!

    Do it. You might even surprise yourself!
  • SeamsSewWright
    SeamsSewWright Posts: 41
    Don't worry about being last. Just think- your time may help someone next go around when they are thinking the same thoughts. Just do it, and you'll be glad you did.
  • Yogarunner21
    Yogarunner21 Posts: 8
    Congrats on improving your 10k time! 16 minutes is a great improvement, and like what someone else here said, there is still more training time if you want to shave off more minutes.

    I understand your concern, but I say go for the 10K. You already know you can run that distance regardless, so racing it after all the training you've done would be great accomplishment. I wouldn't get too caught up in the comparison to other people's times just yet; just focus on your own times and accomplishments. I don't know how big of a race the one you're signing up for is, but for comparison, here are some quick stats for a 10K I did a few months back:

    There were about 2000 participants.
    My time was about 1:06:xx, averaging about 10:30 per mile.
    I placed dead center in the race overall, and was even a little better than 'dead center' for my age group. (I'm in my mid-20s but I'm a brand new runner. Also, the race was in Los Angeles, where there are plenty of healthier people abound, just for a little relativity)

    I did this race for run with my friends, so I was just happy to finish. I think at the rate you're going with your training, you'll do so great at the 10K! Good luck and let us know what you decide to do =)
  • Qatsi
    Qatsi Posts: 2,191 Member
    I'm walking my first marathon in ten days. Since there is no separate walkers division, I fully expect to be near the end of the rankings. But I'm not in this to compete with the 3000 others who will no doubt have a better time than me. I'm in it to push myself out of my comfort zone and accomplish something that most people will never even attempt.

    Do the 10K - you won't regret it.

Categories