Hi

Runningfox suggested a 10k might be a better first race than a 5k, so have bitten the bullet and decided to enter the Great East Anglian Run on 6th May. This will be the first ever race I have done...and I've got six weeks to get ready!

Is anyone else doing this? Any tips for a first timer? What is a respectable finish time? Had a look at last years results and guess a few walked it as came in at 2 hours! So hopefully at least won't be the last, even if dont manage to run all the way.

I have never entered a race and haven't been running for all that long, so I can't give any real advice re: training plans/times etc. But running appears to be about rhythm - breathing, pace etc.

Good luck with the race - let us know your time

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GoSlow - don't worry, you'll find a real mix of abilities, and I think everyone gets such a buzz from their first event it's a real spur to keep it up. That date is close to my heart as it will be the anniversary of my first event (Great Edinburgh Run, 10K) which I'll be back at this year.

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Don

I joined a running club about 2 months before my first 10km race and it helped me a lot.

Also, when running the race, I made sure I didn't run off to fast at the start of the race. Lots of other people did run too fast at the start and I started passing them about 6-7km into the race. As it was my first race, I tried to keep the effort levels about 6-7, on a scale of 1-10.

good luck with the training but just because some took 2 hrs it doesn't mean they walked, i have only been doing this since December and i run with the occasional walk and took 1hr 50 to do 8miles today, as for effort i was probably on scale 8-9. Some of us are just slow and find it hard. I have my first race in May a Half and if i come sub 3hrs i will be delighted.
OK moan over once again all the best!

humble apologies read as 10 miles not 10k. Even i can beat 2 hrs for a 10k.

Thanks for the advice and support guys! I will let you know how I got on bearing in mind my goal is just to finish and not to come last

GoSlow - don't worry about finishing last either, just make sure you finish !!

I'm sure you will be fine (and then might have to think about changing your name!!)

........to 'Gettingfaster'
Cheers!

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Give me the hills!

Just finished my first 10km race today ( Arkendale - North Yorkshire ), I loved it.

I tried to run at a steady pace as it was my first race but found that I just could not help trying to catch the person in front of me.. I managed to get that under control so as not to burn out too early and found the whole thing very enjoyable, the only down side was that part of the race was over fields and after running on roads I found that very difficult.

Have already entered my next 10km and now I have a PB to aim for ...

Richard

don't be shy what time did you do?
well done gald you enjoyed it.

I was aiming for sub 60 and managed 56:03 - will do for me !!

wow thats fantastic!!
A hard PB to beat

Yeah - it was good because my average pace was just a second or two within 9 minute miles.

As for beating it , several hundred other people did so it cant be that difficult ( joke ! ) ,

Good Luck Go Slow, you won't regret entering and you won't forget your first race either !!

Great time RKavanagh, you must have really enjoyed it to enter another already, got to keep them goals in site, ha ha.

I will be doing my first 10k in June, so will be looking forward to that. :eek: