How do I find "slow" races?

omma_to_3
omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Kidding actually, but as I see people post their times and placings here, I've realized that running in a health conscious college town pretty much means I'll always be at the back of the pack LOL. It's fine, I'm not worried about winning any races. I just kind of laughed this morning as I realized my locale is not helping me any :-)

Replies

  • 42kgirl
    42kgirl Posts: 692 Member
    My pace team is old ladies with walkers. Do it anyway! The only caveat to that is if you want to do a half or full marathon. Check the cutoff time and make sure you can finish within that time frame. Even if you come in dead last, you're ahead of all the people who don't get out there at all.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    That is funny. I ran my first half in a Big Ten town. I would have placed much higher had the average age been upped by a decade...or two. :)
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    The last race I was in was the 5K at the Ann Arbor Marathon (first year for it, and it was a Boston Qualifier). The winners of the Marathon were doing 6 minute and 7 minutes miles for the male/female winner. For the 5K, the male winner averaged 5:29 and the female averaged 6:35. I can't run that fast for ANY distance LOL.

    The winner in the female 35 to 39 category averaged 7:18 LOL.
  • DonniesGirl69
    DonniesGirl69 Posts: 644 Member
    I actually DID come in dead last in my half (twisted my ankle during the race) but I'm also just a slow runner. Just find races with no time limit or with very generous time limits and run at your comfort pace.
    One of my favorite little sayings.....
    "It's not about winning, it's about finishing." :)
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    The last race I was in was the 5K at the Ann Arbor Marathon (first year for it, and it was a Boston Qualifier). The winners of the Marathon were doing 6 minute and 7 minutes miles for the male/female winner. For the 5K, the male winner averaged 5:29 and the female averaged 6:35. I can't run that fast for ANY distance LOL.

    The winner in the female 35 to 39 category averaged 7:18 LOL.

    But at least you could go to Blimpy Burger after the race! :)
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    Get out of the city! There are bound to be some small towns nearby with 5ks this summer.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    All joking aside, as one of the slowest runner's I know, I recommend looking for mass-participation races, charity events and checking last year's results, which are usually posted online, to ensure I stand a chance of not coming last :laugh:

    Even if I do, it's no bad thing:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/nice-guys-and-girls-finish-last-108783
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    On my last 5k I did finish 213 of 220. Just enjoy your run
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    On my last 5k I did finish 213 of 220. Just enjoy your run
    And I was 336 out of 345 in my last 10K.
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    Maybe join a running group. They will challenge you to push yourself, but all in good fun
  • Venturin
    Venturin Posts: 244 Member
    Even if you come in dead last, you're ahead of all the people who don't get out there at all.

    ^ Perfect!
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    its equally important not to let anyone in fancy dress beat you, too..
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Oh goodness...I just looked up the results for the last two years of my next race. It's not going to be pretty LOL.

    If I had run the last two years in this race, I would have finished 808/881 and 701/785 overall. For my age bracket, 61/66 and 50/56. HAHAHAHHAHAHA. At least I should be at least a minute faster pace this time over my last race.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I just did the color run yesterday and it seemed like most of the people, or at least half of them just walked. I only ran for a little bit and walked the rest of the way lol! It was sooo hot. 100+ degrees. Screw running in that haha. I want to sign up for another later in the fall and actually run it.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I just did the color run yesterday and it seemed like most of the people, or at least half of them just walked. I only ran for a little bit and walked the rest of the way lol! It was sooo hot. 100+ degrees. Screw running in that haha. I want to sign up for another later in the fall and actually run it.

    I'm actually considering selling my Color Run entry because I likely won't be able to run and it will be SO crowded and hot.
  • nwhitley
    nwhitley Posts: 619
    As someone else stated, go to a smaller town and run a smaller race. At 36, I'm in the prime age range and never place in big races. But, when I go to small towns I am usually 1 or 2 in my age range running a 10k (I don't do 5k's too much) around 45-48 mins. This won't fly in bigger races where women are doing them around 35 mins. It's nice to place just once, after that who cares? I just love running, unless there is prize money!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I just did the color run yesterday and it seemed like most of the people, or at least half of them just walked. I only ran for a little bit and walked the rest of the way lol! It was sooo hot. 100+ degrees. Screw running in that haha. I want to sign up for another later in the fall and actually run it.

    I'm actually considering selling my Color Run entry because I likely won't be able to run and it will be SO crowded and hot.

    ohhh but it's so much fun!
  • Gapwedge01
    Gapwedge01 Posts: 494
    Even if you come in dead last, you're ahead of all the people who don't get out there at all.

    ^ Perfect!

    Could not agree more. I am at the age now that running is no longer an interest to me so I walk. Even if I finished dead last from a walking event my ego over the years has mellowed a great deal. The idea is to compete with your best effort.

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