Didn't run 10k, then ran 11k.

[Millsie-J]

I have posted this here rather than other forums as I don't want to put others off registering for races.

Sometime ago I registered for a 10k run, building on one I had previous completed (and enjoyed) in March. Weeks after registering an email came through stating the race was included in a district run series. I didn't realise the relevance of this item of information. It was also clarified that 2k of the race would be alongside the by-pass, which surprised me as it is a huge country park and had been advertised as within the park, which is why I choose it. It did take the shine off it a bit as I really didn't wish to run next to really busy traffic/fumes etc.

I set off this morning for the race -following much heart searching about if I should run or not, I really wasn't feeling it. But I didn't want to cry off, too easy and could be a slippery slope!

Lovely morning, arrived, parked. Went to the loo, as you do. Group of women in there saying 'if you are going to take an hour to finish you will be last, at the back'. Well I am a very slow runner and I'm thinking, I don't think you will love, I take far far longer to run a 10k than that. Then it transpired no medals for 10k runners. But if you had registered and paid £2 for the 2k fun run taking place earlier, there was a lovely medal. Well it's a bling thing isn't it? I can run 10k for no medal anytime I want and there is no £14 registration fee!

I started to worry even more about my times when they announced the presentations for first four women and first four men would take place way before I would be finished. All of that and then realising I was surrounded by folk all wearing running club vests. I felt incredibly intimidated, becoming quite tearful. My fault no one else's I know. But it suddenly dawned on me this race was for serious (fast) runners who wanted points for the competitive run series. I really did not pick up this focus in the marketing and registration process. I felt I would be left so far behind I would be less than comfortable. I knew it wouldn't be good for my confidence and so asked hubby to take me home.

DH said 'look you are ready to run, go do a quick run local'. He dropped me off close to the canal. I thought ' oh I'll just do a 5k to pick me up a bit', because I can. Then I thought, no! I'm ready for a 10k and that's what I'm gong to run. I actually ran 11k along the peaceful canal bank, furthest I've ever run really. I also took a couple of minutes off my previous 10k time, yippee.

I guess the moral of the story is I need to choose my races more carefully. Lesson learned! I may stick to virtual races from now on.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Sounds like you made the right decision to me Jacs - what a shame that the race wasn't more inclusive? I did a 10k for no bling last year, and although it doesn't sound quite as competitive as yours, they too did the prize giving before the last runners had come in. Thought that was a bit sad, especially as everyone must have been though in about. 1:15. Anyway, getting all psyched up for the race obviously helped you go out and get a PB AND hit 11k for the first time, so all's well that ends well! Well done🙂

[Millsie-J in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, i had a great run in the end, felt i had to prove to myself it wasnt the distance that made me cry off 😀

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

That's rotten but if you weren't comfortable better to give it amiss. Glad the run you did went well.

I was in two minds recently about signing up for the local 10k as the finish times all seemed quite fast - luckily waited so long it sold out!

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon]

I'm a slow runner too Millsie-J - so there's plenty of us around. But at least we run, so that's something to be proud of. I'm sorry the race didn't turn out you be what you wanted - everybody sounds a bit elitist - but you turned a bad experience into a good one and learnt something in the process! Well done👍

[Millsie-J in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Yes we are runners. I really dont mind being at the back, but not if it feels elitist. My March race was really enjoyable, i need to choose more wisely next time🙄

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done on your 11km run jacs,sounds like you made the right choice on the day.....

We have a lot of runners from clubs on our races here but luckily they seem to encourage all abilities to enter. One to put down to experience,and you had a more relaxing run for it. To be stressing about your time and no medal is definitely not what Sunday running is all about! X

[Millsie-J in reply to aliboo70]

Too true Ali, i had a good run in the end...... my run😀

[Realfoodieclub Marathon]

It sounds like you made the right decision for you and got the reward of a lovely run. Don't let it put you off events all together though. One of reasons I save up for the bigger events is that I feel less conscious being a back of the pack runner and there is always bling. I'd rather do less events but really enjoy them. I do the decathlon free event and that is small but I feel more pressure doing that than I ever do doing an event with 10,000 plus runners.

[Millsie-J in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks RFC, I shall try to keep an open mind, i want to join in but would like to feel welcome. I dont mind being at the back in those circumstances 👍🏼

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

That's a great story, rally enjoyed reading that. You are a lady after my own heart, I usually start at the back, and stay there! I would have found that intimidating too, I'm so glad your husband had the brilliant idea of you going for a lovely run on your own, and that it was, indeed, a lovely run xxx

[Millsie-J in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks CG!

Im glad I ran, i think I would have started doubting i was able to do a 10 k if i hadnt got on with it! It was a lovely sunny day here too, would have been rude not to. i already had my sunscreen and insect repellent on!

Hope you are doing ok.

[Madge50 Marathon]

Hi Jacs, it's such a learning curve this isn't it, I'm sorry you felt so uncomfortable that you had to bail, but glad you went on to have an enjoyable run. My OH did a 10 miler last year that turned out to be almost an inter club competition, he did ok, but wouldn't do it again, and I certainly wouldn't enter it - I'm slow. I wouldn't say it wasn't friendly either, but of course lots of the club runners knew each other and unless you had a club vest on people didn't seem very interested in you - mind you they were happy to take the money!

I do think it's a real shame when so called 'proper' runners speak before they think and forget what an impact they can have on us 'also rans', we're not all trying to emulate Mo Farah!

If it's a new event to me, I always look at the previous years results 😄, just to see if the finish time is in my capability.....and to help my confidence.... I'm very lucky we've got quite a few really open to all events nearby, (and they all have bling) so I've got enough to keep me busy 😂

Hope you find something more suitable......you can always join me and AncientMum in the C25K wings for Life team for next year, if you fancy a run in Cambridge.....🤗

Mx

[Millsie-J in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge, yes lots of learning for sure! I will definitely be wiser from now on. I have already booked a 10m for after Christmas, which I know is a friendly affair, i shall be at the back but i dont mind about that, I am a runner!

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

Definitely the right decision. I'm sorry it wasn't a good event to enter and that you didn't discover this until you were there and it made you unhappy, though. Great that you still went for a run and had a fab run - well done on your distance!

I do think that there are races and races, if you know what I mean. Some are much more competitive than others and it can be hard to tell from the description - or even the times from past years. That 10 miler will be great

[Millsie-J in reply to Anniemurph]

Im looking forward to it Annie. Following my canal run yesterday i realised if i continued to a particular spot (pub) along the canal, it would be 8k out and similar back. A nice training route for me for our 10m. 😀

[Irish-John Marathon]

I think the moral of the story is that you were brave enough to follow your heart and not the herd.

Well done

[Millsie-J in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks John, it was touch and go with the 'can I actually run' gremlins, but I was having none if it! We are runners!

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Millsie-J]

Exactly!!!!!

[C3PO Marathon]

I'm impressed with how you turned things around. Unfortunately most of the events here award prizes long before the pack of the pack make it to the finish line. Anyway, you showed them!

[Millsie-J in reply to C3PO]

Thanks. I dont really expect them to wait for me at the back, but I think the announcement on top of everything else just tipped me over! Hey ho, nothing lost except my entry fee.

[C3PO Marathon in reply to Millsie-J]

You have a good attitude, but I think events could strive to be more inclusive. I ran a 10 K in Paris a couple of years ago, and achieved a PB (62 minutes). But there were no goody bags for those of us who finished after 60 minutes. And only very large finisher's T-shirts.

[Millsie-J in reply to C3PO]

Eeekkk, thats so unfair! I would be really upset . I bet you paid the same entry fee too! What a cheek, equity and equality dont come anywhere near.

[poppypug Marathon]

Lovely story Jacs, and Im so glad you enjoyed your canal run . Well done ! xxx

[Millsie-J in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Pops, I can so I do! Cant let things get you down!

[runningnearbeirut]

I'm so impressed that you went off and had such a great run on your own, well done you!

[Rignold]

Your OH sounds a good sort.

And sod the snooty runners and their elitism. I have been in many races/events where it was a bot like that. There was a fierce debate that raged on one of the FB running groups about whether people who walk in races should even be allowed to take part...!!! (I hasten to add the vast majority of runners who commented were appallled by that suggestion). Sadly a lot of runners, just like any other group of people, are a bit up themselves.

I think you made quite the right decisions, both to bail on the race and to do your own 10k+.

[Millsie-J in reply to Rignold]

Thank you Rig. And yes OH is a very good sort! 😀

[AncientMum Half Marathon]

So sorry to read this post Jacs. It puts me in mind if a story from a year or two ago when a woman was stopped mid race because it was deemed that she wasn't fast enough and the marshals might get fed up waiting for her. This despite the fact that she'd completed several marathons and had a track record of running the second half of the race faster than the first. My point is that it wasn't a race for elite runners, just some of the runners and race organisers were elitist. A elite runner like Jo Pavey or Mo Farrah would never disparage a slower runner but an elitist runner will bolster their fragile ego by making slower runners feel bad. It was your misfortune to sign up for an elitist race. Forget it, it's their loss not yours. Definitely come and join Madge50 and me at Wings for Life next year - it's the least elitist race you can imagine

[Millsie-J in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks AM. Im over it all now, life is too short isnt it?

I might just have to check my diary!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Oh wow, I really feel for you, this is like one of my recurring nightmares!!! I think you did the right thing, and that is really bad that it was incorrectly marketed too. I felt soooo daunted at the start of my trail marathon as everyone was wearing club vests and had those wierd knee- high socks and bits hanging off everywhere type of look that I see as #hardcore. Huge well done on the 11k, goes to show that running is what we make of it and its our own journey...

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon]

Oh no! I'd have probably felt the same. At least you did get a run. Glad you had husband to be there for you.