Racing without Spectators

ChiMoe110 · November 2014

I have a question. I'm doing my 2nd 5k next Sunday and I don't have anyone watching me. My first 5k, I had my boyfriend and his sister there to support me, but they can't make it this time. I'm a little sad and disappointed because I won't have anyone greet me when I'm done. Do a lot of people run without any one with them? How have you felt after your race without spectators.

dbmata · November 2014

Races are full of spectators. You may not know them, but they're cheering you. You'll be good to go.

Put your work in.

LoneWolfRunner · November 2014

I rarely have spectators at any of my races and it does not really bother me. But then again, as my screen suggests, I prefer running by myself anyway...

Alatariel75 · November 2014

If you would feel better with knowing people are cheering for you, and may even approach you after the race - wear something silly or that stands out. Every time I've done a fun run(walk for me) the people who've put some effort into standing out have been crowd favourites.

throoper · November 2014

I run them a lot without people there at the end. It's still a super fun environment... go eat some snacks, chat with other runners, and bask in the glory!

jacksonpt · November 2014

I guess I don't understand that mindset. This isn't a color run or a tough mudder... you're racing against yourself and the field, what do spectators have to do with it?

I race to race... to push myself to the absolute limit and to set personal bests, not to impress other people. So having someone there cheering me on doesn't much matter, and at the end of the race I rarely have enough energy left to care if someone meets me at the line.

berniemay · November 2014

I've run a couple of races without spectators. The crowd will cheer for you regardless of the fact that you're not family, etc.

JTick · November 2014

I rarely have anyone with me. Doesn't bother me a bit.

SonicDeathMonkey80 · November 2014

Every. Single. One.

Would it be nice? Yep. HTFU.

AFMOMX2 · November 2014

I have done one 5K, one dirty dash and 3 half marathons, all without spectators. My husband has not embraced my love for running. I was a little sad at first one but now I don't care. I just go into my own little world and try to meet my goal. Then I bore him for hours with the details when I get home. hahahaha! One day he'll go and cheer me on just so he can shut me up by saying he was there.

jacksonpt · November 2014

SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »

Every. Single. One.

Would it be nice? Yep. HTFU.

You ain't no roadie... GTFO with you're HTFU!!!!!

Damn impostors...

SonicDeathMonkey80 · November 2014

jacksonpt wrote: »

SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »

Every. Single. One.

Would it be nice? Yep. HTFU.

You ain't no roadie... GTFO with you're HTFU!!!!!

Damn impostors...

Forgive me sir, I have indeed neglected my bike this year.

:disagree:

bulbadoof · November 2014

I'd be anxious about HAVING spectators, personally - I prefer to do my own thing. But, what works for you works for you.

MattNorrisUL · November 2014

I drive to small local races all the time without the family because after trying to get our 4 and 6 yr old ready, I'm worn out haha. But yes it's nice to have people cheering you but to me at this point, I'm mainly running for my own approval. But rest assured, some people will be cheering. Just imagine it's for you.

yoovie · November 2014

wow. i cant imagine having people i know supporting my athletic events. I'd be gobsmacked.

If i had a parent or a sibling or a cousin show up to see me race, I wouldn't race. I would fall down dead as a doornail and never recover.

I think more than half of the people who race have NO ONE cheering them. In fact it's probably normal.

When I finish a race, I hug the people that did it with me and we leave.

_Waffle_ · November 2014

ChiMoe110 wrote: »

I have a question. I'm doing my 2nd 5k next Sunday and I don't have anyone watching me. My first 5k, I had my boyfriend and his sister there to support me, but they can't make it this time. I'm a little sad and disappointed because I won't have anyone greet me when I'm done. Do a lot of people run without any one with them? How have you felt after your race without spectators.

5 - 6 times a week generally. No one ever cheers for me when I'm done.

BChanFit · November 2014

I usually don't have spectators. I know that watching running isn't really fun for my family. I'll jog by in a couple seconds and they spend the rest of the time waiting (usually in the cold) otherwise. Instead I set up phone app (mapmyrun/runtastic/runkeeper) for live tracking and family and friends can cheer virtually from the comfort of wherever they want.

I have found it's enough for me to just check my phone and see a "wow great pace!" or "you rocked it!" on my phone while I grab my medal and banana. Maybe also ask a friend or two to race with you! I've run with friends but usually we just meet at the end and carpooling to the event is a blast.

Shawshankcan · November 2014

I did a strongman competition without my family present and cheering me on. You will be fine doing the race, knowing they support you from a far.

Booksandbeaches · November 2014

All the races I've done except the last one where my hubby participated with me were done solo and without any people there to specifically cheer me on. I can't imagine my family showing up to cheer me. It would be so shocking. It wouldn't occur to them to come out to support.

I can see how if you were expecting this it's a let down, but just imagine all those cheering on the sidelines as cheerleaders for you.

GiddyupTim · November 2014

I think you have to consider that, even when you do have someone meet you at the finish, you are essentially running by yourself the entire time anyway. You might get to have a pat on the rear before you start, but once you get in the gates, you're on your own. You might wave at three miles, but...eh? And, you might get a kiss at the finish line, but by then all you really want is a shower anyway. I'm with Yoovie. Hung a stranger and go home! You'll be fine.

brandiuntz · November 2014

While I had either a running partner or friends cheering me on for my first couple races, most have been run solo. Enjoy the overall atmosphere of the event. Chat with other runners, enjoy the snacks, and cheer on others finishing up after you.

I always leave any race feeling great. Bonus if I hit some major new PR.

sengalissa · November 2014

ChiMoe110 wrote: »

I have a question. I'm doing my 2nd 5k next Sunday and I don't have anyone watching me. My first 5k, I had my boyfriend and his sister there to support me, but they can't make it this time. I'm a little sad and disappointed because I won't have anyone greet me when I'm done. Do a lot of people run without any one with them? How have you felt after your race without spectators.

I ran my first half marathon without people I knew with me. Sad, but I was doing it for myself anyway, not for them.

AliceDark · November 2014

There are going to be lots of people running alone without anyone watching. Why not be there for them? After you cross the finish line, cheer for the people who look like they need it. I guarantee you'll feel happier doing that than if everyone you know showed up to cheer for you.

yoovie · November 2014

AliceDark wrote: »

There are going to be lots of people running alone without anyone watching. Why not be there for them? After you cross the finish line, cheer for the people who look like they need it. I guarantee you'll feel happier doing that than if everyone you know showed up to cheer for you.

this. pay it forward.

Mrs_Chisholm57 · April 2018

My friends and family never come to see me run. I finished my first ever half marathon last year at the Kentucky Derby. I was so excited and so proud, I begged people to come and yet I got to the finish line and crossed it alone. So instead of feeling sadness, I bombed their phones with photos, videos, times, and all my joy. It's always fun to have someone, but you run for you so be proud of youself and run on girl!

spiriteagle99 · April 2018

My husband comes to my races, but basically he drops me off, waits in the car for a couple of hours, then drives me home afterwards. He doesn't go out on the course to cheer me on, though sometimes he's at the finish line. I appreciate the support, but mostly I'd be fine without it. I've tried to get him to stay home, because I know it's boring to sit in the car for hours, but he wants to do it so I just smile and say thank you. When I've done a race near where family lives, I actively discouraged them from coming, unless it was to give DH someone to talk to while waiting for me.

cwolfman13 · April 2018

My wife and kids came to see me do my first 1/2 century ride. They were at the half way point when I road by and at the finish line at the end.

I've done many since, and they haven't gone to them. Watching an endurance cycling event is pretty boring, especially for a 6 & 8 year old. Doesn't bother me...I wouldn't want to sit their for 3-4 hours either.

BruinsGal_91 · April 2018

I've run around 50 races ranging from 5k to half marathon and there has never been anyone waiting for me at the finish line. Doesn't bother me at all; I don't run for other people, I run for me. There are usually plenty of kids on the sidelines cheering on the runners and offering high fives which I absolutely love. I will quite often strike up conversations with other runners before and after a race, usually about shoes and gear. And there are a few races which I run every year and it's fun to catch up with the runners who also run it regularly.