6 years ago I participated in a running event at the coast for 6K. They also do 10K and 10 miles. It was lovely, running partly on the beach and partly in a forest. I loved every second of it.
As I now run again (since almost a year), this event popped in my mind again. Alass I run slower now and I was wondering if I could still make it before the cut-off time. So I looked up the results of the last few years and... I'm feeling sad.
For the 10 miles I don't have a time yet (still have to reach my first ten miles), but it will be FAR from the last time I saw on the results. As for the 10K it might work, but I would have to run faster than I do now, risking not making it to the finish. And for the 6K the last time in the results is my 5K time (on a fabulous day even).
Same for a local race at home of 4.5K and 7.5K.
Where are the snails? Don't any snails participate in these events? SNAIL UNITE!! I honestly feel a bit put down, because I really really wanted to participate in one of these events, especially the one at the coast as it is so lovely. But I don't want to participate if I risk not finishing in time before they close the race. I don't want to feel that kind of humiliation.
Sorry, just needed to rant about this. Luckily I run for my own enjoyment. I have to keep this in mind, I run to enjoy myself and for my health. I can't let myself be put down because of the above facts.
Cheers, Evy
25 Replies
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Your last paragraph Evy ...... is everything. Enjoy and be happy. That is why we are here 👍
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True, very true. I just wished I could once more enjoy that scenery and sphere. But alass...
Surely there are lots of running events which are available to everyone? Even marathons are run by those who take a long time to complete.This type of event sounds like one to avoid if it makes you feel sad and discouraged that you are 'too slow'. Oh dear....
The only marathon I calculated for how long it would take me, was far outside my time too. It closed of at 6h, while I would need longer (not that I would ever do a marathon haha).
I guess races here in Belgium are only for the fast people...
With you on that Roxdog ! I've only ever done two events, and I don't refer to them as races because I didn't race them.
I chatted to people, stopped and moved aside to let serious time-focused runners pass me, took photos, did airplane arms, read the names of the French resistance fighters on the war memorial, and other Garmin-unworthy stuff. I wouldn't exchange any of that for a faster time.
A cut off time is different, but I think there's a catch-22 with slow times - if there are none posted, us snails don't want to run, but unless we run there won't be any slower times posted... I must admit that the thought of coming in ages after everyone else is dispiriting and puts me off entering organised events. I'm going to try a parkrun first and then see how I feel, but the motivation of entering a 10k run would be good...
We don't have parkruns here, I think... You are right though. If there are no slow times, the slow runners won't eun. But if we don't run, there are no slow times...
I think I read somewhere that the cut-off for a 10k is 90"......as djep suggested, why not ask if they could be more inclusive as an incentive to give runners something to aim for? After all it is now Covid time and we need to be encouraging physical activities.
The latest time of the 10K was below 80 minutes and I am between 80 and 90. So if I don't become faster in the next half year....
I am just 1 person, I am not going to ask anything. I don't think that for 1 person they are going to change things. Plus, even if they change the cut-off time, without the results of the year before showing slowee times, I don't think the snails will enter...
As a SSS (Seriously Slow Snail😆) I feel your pain BS , it does sound unfair to have a cut off time that prevents slower runners from joining in. But I’m sure there must be some runs somewhere that you could do, though I don’t know how you’ll find them! Good luck!
As I've been enjoying red wine this evening, I'm not quite clear: have the organisers of the event you looked at specified cut-off times, or are you going by the final finisher times? If the former, then things could be difficult. If the latter, then you could certainly enter, regardless of your expected time.
Personally I find cut-off times intimidating. Yet from an organisational point of view I can see their use in certain circumstances, for example where roads need to be re-opened, or there are safety concerns, or volunteers need to get home.
Less so for a 10k, where the additional time required might only be 15-30 minutes, but for marathons and ultras, especially off-road, you're talking hours and hours more.
If you can't enter your chosen event, could you run the route yourself anyway, some other time? I know it's not the same, but for me, that could potentially be a benefit!
I go by the results of the past years. But there are indeed roads to be opened again. And unfortunately I can't run it on my own. It's partly on roads that are closed off during the event and through a forest where I don't dare run on my own.
Hang on, so this isn't actually about not entering because of an organiser-imposed cut off time? You're saying that based on previous finish times, you think you're too slow? In that case, don't put limitations on yourself. If you want to do the event, do it.
In my first event everyone shot off at speed, I followed them, rapidly got tired and then dropped the cap of my drinking tube, so spent time looking for it. By the time I d found it, everyone else had vanished. I ran - and walked - the remainder of the 22km solo, which frankly was wonderful, and was the last runner to arrive. Not actually last finisher, because a married couple who'd started off running gave up and decided to walk instead.
So I know from experience that it's not easy. But I'd rather be last than not start.
Myeah, I still don't want to risk being so slow that everything is stopped and there is nobody left in the forest and I am running there alone, creepy... And then arriving at the finish and everything is gone. I know I am maybe now acting ridiculous, but if you see the last time of 1h50 and you need 2h25...
I totally agree with you! I recently looked at an event in Scotland and decided against it for the same reason. 10k with a 90 mins cut off time. I'm too close to the 90 mins to feel comfirtable doing that one.... There are "fun runs" here though where people sometimes walk them.
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Finally broke 10K!
Line in the sand...
Last big run before my charity run
Back on track!
