Aware 10k as a complete and total beginner?

angeldelight

Right so it's only 6 weeks away but am not sure whether to sign up or not... I am completely unfit, will put my hands up and admit that no problem. But I did the mini marathon in June walking and finished in 1hr 59... not great at all but not awful compared to the general field. Now I had a look at the results for the Aware 10k last year and the last person finished in 1hr 55... I don't want to be last! In 6 weeks could I make any sort of progress? Or should I forget the idea? The reason I was going to do this one is I had a big exam today and have nothing from now until mid-December - no job and no excuses.

What's peoples opinions? I might forget it..

rainbow kirby

First of all - Couch to 5k is a great way to get started for beginners.

Running 10k 6 weeks from now might be a bit of a push, but the week before that (5 December), the Jingle Bells 5k is on which would be very achievable.

martinr5232

Im only starting myself im aiming for this one might be worth looking at.

Its the Jinglebells fun run on December the fifth heres the link.

http://www.donoreharriers.com/home_nav_9.html

angeldelight

I was put off that because it seemed everyone ran it... I was thinking even if I didn't run all the aware one or just ran a bit?? I don't know, just don't want to be last!

martinr5232

Either way you wont be last someone is bound to pull up with an injury just dont push yourself to hard to soon or you will get sick of it or worse get an injury.

meathcountysec

angeldelight wrote: »

I was put off that because it seemed everyone ran it... I was thinking even if I didn't run all the aware one or just ran a bit?? I don't know, just don't want to be last!

I don't think anyone finishing in 1hr 55 ran most, or indeed any of it. A December race need not be an end in itself. It will be just a stepping stone to the new, fitter, invigorated you. Don't be put off by the thought of coming last in any race. Your race is with yourself and the clock, not those around (or in front;)) of you.

I regularly feature at the rump of race results. Nevertheless I still experience a feeling of achievement and satisfaction at my result. You will be cheered home as loudly, if not more so, than the whippets at the front of the pack.

You will certainly progress in 6 weeks. Even if you adopt a walk/run strategy you will finish ahead of your finishing time last June.

Go for it.

shels4ever

angeldelight wrote: »

I was put off that because it seemed everyone ran it... I was thinking even if I didn't run all the aware one or just ran a bit?? I don't know, just don't want to be last!

Dont worry about been last in a race, the chances are you wont be . I though i was last in a 5 mile race last year but turned out to be 5 th last in the end , i could well be last in another race this year but i don't care . Go out and run/walk and enjoy the day and build from that.

hawkwing

You will also be ahead of all the onlookers and people who are not even able to take part which is another way of looking at it wherever you finish..

elvis jones

Angel,

The aware run will be my 1st, not even a mini marathon to my name......i have the balls:D

But i just want to finish it and as someone above said its a stepping stone.

At the moment i can do 8k is 59 mins on the threadmill and am only starting my road running this weekend so i have a hard six weeks ahead of me as well.

I know i won't be up near the top of the finish, but i have to start somewhere.

When i started running a few weeks ago i was almost 18 stone. Now i'm 16.5 and the regular running is the key. I think the road races will give me a goal to aim to and a feeling that all those hours on the roads and threadmill will be worth while.

I've worked as MC at races in the past and the last person gets as big a cheer as the 1st as people know that not everyone can do 10k in 40 mins and under.

Good luck and i'll be there as well ( near the back:D )

littlebug

I did my first 10k back in early May with a just few more weeks training than you behind me. I ran/ walked it with more running than walking in the first half and more walking than running in the second half . though I finished 5th last (there weren't many in the race altogether) I was absolutely buzzing and delighted with myself afterwards. It gives you an understanding of the distance and of your capabilities and gives you something to beat next time out. A few weeks later I ran (jogged) all of the mini m and took a whole 15 seconds off my time :D lol. Don't worry about the time or about being last... just get out there and do what you can do and enjoy the buzz

Pisco Sour

Agree with everyone here. Use it as a stepping stone. If you do a Run/Walk strategy you will go a hell of a lot faster than 1:59. More importantly you will give yourself a target to beat. The next time you can try run more. And the next time run it all. And before you know it your fitness will be unrecognisable from what it is now, and within 2 years you will run a marathon. You'll get addicted to it. Very best of luck.

BeepBeep67

Last place in Aware last year was 1:57 so without the congestion of the Mini Marathon and a run walk strategy that should be quite comfortable.

louthandproud

04072511 wrote: »

Agree with everyone here. Use it as a stepping stone. If you do a Run/Walk strategy you will go a hell of a lot faster than 1:59. More importantly you will give yourself a target to beat. The next time you can try run more. And the next time run it all. And before you know it your fitness will be unrecognisable from what it is now, and within 2 years you will run a marathon. You'll get addicted to it. Very best of luck.

Agree on the run walk strategy, it's how I got started into running again.

Check out http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ for more on that.

az2wp0sye65487

I'm only just new to running myself. In fact I've only been running for the last 5 weeks, and I'm up to 5km at the moment. I've just entered this:

http://www.activeglobal.com/Events/index.cfm?AC=EventDetails_V2&E=82746

...after seeing it posted here. It's my first ever race. Looking forward to it now. Wish me luck

elvis jones

My reg pack with sponsor cards arrived yesterday, wow my 1st run.

Its full steam ahead now.

louthandproud

Entered this. However numbers can be only collected, and from Leeson St. according to the letter I got. Does anyone know if they can be collected in the park on race day?