Would you run a race knowing you would finish last?

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Replies

  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    I would and I have. Or rather I expected to. I was pleasantly surprised not to be last.

    ^this. My first official 5k last summer...I finished behind a 5 year old. :blushing: But I still finished!
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    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?
  • RunningAddict
    RunningAddict Posts: 548 Member
    I would, I just like to run! Doesn't matter much to me. I remember my first 10K I was terrified that I was going to finish last, to me it seemed like the worst thing that could ever happened but I have gotten past that. The most important thing to me with running now is that I have fun!
  • jodycoady
    jodycoady Posts: 598 Member
    Yes, because the losers are the ones that care not to run at all ! (I kid, I kid)
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    I'd run the race only if I knew I had a chance of finishing, regardless of if I'm dead last. Years of gym class daily laps in the near football field-sized courtyard 5 days a week and being one of the last to finish because I was chunky and had asthma problems pretty much rid me of the ability to give that much of a crap.
  • JPod279
    JPod279 Posts: 722 Member
    This reminds me of a comedian that was talking about some guy who came in last at the Olympics in the marathon. He talked about how the dude must have been thinking how he got up every day at the crack of dawn and ran and watched what he ate, and how he probably was thinking he could have not trained at all and still come in last.

    I wouldn't run the race, but I may walk it. If I know I am coming in last I might as well make people wait as long as possible to see me finish.
  • rschmmidt
    rschmmidt Posts: 296
    Dead last finish
    is better than
    did not finish
    is better than
    did not start.


    Absolutely. I would be so proud of myself for just getting out there. The above says it perfectly!
  • Ritzbrit
    Ritzbrit Posts: 211 Member
    Sure would. It's a thrill in itself just to be there and finish no matter what place you come in.
  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    Absolutely.

    I'm never, EVER gonna win a serious race... even in my age/gender group, so what does it really matter if I finish last?

    In fact, my first 5K back in March, I did finish last in my age/gender group.

    My second 5K was a nice surprise that I finished 3rd from last in my category.

    I'm running against the distance, and against the clock and my own PR anyway... that's all I can do and its more than enough.

    Remember, Finished last beats did not finish, which beats did not start.

    Ted
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    Any doubts?

    Watch these...

    http://youtu.be/a7Wd3jAQNos
    http://youtu.be/Z5RHWlisQ3I
    http://youtu.be/sfUyo8IoIzo
    http://youtu.be/JQ0S2R3QxFg
    http://youtu.be/3O8bZHM1tJU
    http://youtu.be/QTl0qiyXZYo
  • myjourney2
    myjourney2 Posts: 424 Member
    Absolutely I would! I am walk/running a 5km on May 27th and I am pretty sure I will come in last. You have to start somewhere! I cant wait to see how I feel when I actually complete the race last or not. It has been a goal of mine for a long , long time!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Yes, I've done it and I came in last. Epically. Then I wrote an article about it.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/nice-guys-and-girls-finish-last-108783

    Also, after first, second and third, last is the only recognised place :smile:
  • trijoe
    trijoe Posts: 729 Member
    Yes, I would.

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

    :flowerforyou:

    ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

    I've DFL'd twice. Both very tough races. I'm not necessarily proud to finish LAST, but I'm extremely proud to FINISH. I only race against myself. Still, I beat every schmuck who decided it was too hard, or they weren't having a good day, or it was too cold, or too rainy, or their legs hurt, or they didn't want to embarrass themselves...

    Excuses are easily told and more easily forgotten. Finishers medals are earned through grit and determination, and last a lifetime.

    OH! And you know what? You're only as embarrassed as you decide you want to be.
  • miami_mimi
    miami_mimi Posts: 325 Member
    My personality type would take the experience as a motivator to do better!!! My 5 year old was doing football camp this Spring, and he was last every time in running the lap around the park... I pushed him and told him that what counts is finishing... then a few weeks into it, he came in second to last and ran the whole time, and the moment was priceless. An amazing self confidence booster.
  • ludgerclay
    ludgerclay Posts: 95 Member
    Yes, because the losers are the ones that care not to run at all !

    Yeah, I've finished dead last in two 25km trail races and a 92 km trail race. But I finished!
  • Ali_TSO
    Ali_TSO Posts: 1,172 Member
    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.
  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    Someone is always "last".

    I would definitely run it even if I knew I would be dead last. I still beat those sitting on their butts on the couch or standing on the side with no motivation to even try.
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    Yes.... I've ran two and ran them for the sense of accomplishment and pride... I wasn't running to come in first.
  • Microfiber_wechange
    Microfiber_wechange Posts: 640
    Not unless there was a prize for the last runner :laugh: :laugh:
  • JanetLM73
    JanetLM73 Posts: 1,226 Member
    I'm doing a 1/2 marathon in October, it'll be my first marathon EVER. I don't care if I come in dead last, I just want to say that I did it!!
  • Tonnina
    Tonnina Posts: 979 Member
    Did it in elementary school. We had fund raisers where you'd sell to neighbors and then run for how ever many dollars they spent. Well I had no neighbors but I usually raised at least 5 dollars... I'd run the 5 laps and get lapped by the kids running 20 or more laps... I so lost those "races" I've never done a real race though, like a 5K or anything, but yeah I'd still go. Burning calories is good, even if you come in last!
  • george29223
    george29223 Posts: 556 Member
    i would sometimes comming in last will come in handy such as if theres a cliff ten feet after the starting line
  • 84jeepster
    84jeepster Posts: 198 Member
    How do you know that you would be last if you din't start it? Race against yourself and no one else!
  • jodycoady
    jodycoady Posts: 598 Member
    Yes, because the losers are the ones that care not to run at all ! (I kid I kid)

    Yeah, I've finished dead last in two 25km trail races and a 92 km trail race. But I finished!

    Run Forrest Run!
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    Your honest opinion

    As long as I've challenged myself, I consider completion a success. Finishing last sure beats the hell out of staying on the couch because you're afraid you'll be last.

    How do you know you'll be last? Cross the finish line and then tell us whether you came in last. And even if you did, you crossed the finish line, didn't you?

    Anyone who gets off their *kitten* and runs a race that challenges them is OK in my book. Even if you never finish the race, at least you tried, and that's an accomplishment, too.
  • superstarcassie
    superstarcassie Posts: 296 Member
    Yes- and I did last summer. I did a 10K.....that started with both 10K and 5K runners. Only about 15 people participated in the 10K....and I was the slowest. By the time I finished, behind the 5K walkers, I was dead last! :) It was okay though because I never walked...and beat my goal time. I finished in an hour and 9 mins.
  • spacecase76
    spacecase76 Posts: 673 Member
    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.

    The think about racing is - I am only competing against myself. I have done six 5ks now, one 10k, and am training for a half. It was my 3rd 5k before I could RUN the entire race without walking at all. THAT was an amazing feeling to me. I go into each race with a little goal for myself, either a pace in mind, a finishing time, or some non-speed related goal (like running it all) and I am STOKED when I accomplish it.

    Bottom line is that I race for ME. I race against ME. I would do it (but, hey, you don't KNOW that you will finish last, have faith!)
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    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.

    Anyone who has the training and courage to run a 5K at 350 pounds (which is the equivalent of an experienced runner carrying two other experienced runners on his/her back) and can complete the race, regardless of standing, is a star athlete and a real class act in my book.

    Run it. Walk it. Stagger it if you have to. If you never challenge yourself, you'll never know what you are capable of.

    EDIT: This coming from a guy who trained for a 5K at 340 pounds and lacked the courage to try it. Run it for me. Please.
  • peabird3
    peabird3 Posts: 1 Member
    absolutely. I would be happy just finishing.
  • LemonBurns
    LemonBurns Posts: 538 Member
    Yup. Why not? At least you will have done it, and have a time to beat next time.

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