The official Team Not-So-Fast thread

[marty3d]

Trust me, for the marathon there is no chance I will be fast

 

[_shiny_side_up_]

I've had knee surgeries on both my legs in the past year so - my goal is to just finish under the 16 minute pace and nothing else. I'll be on this team!

 

[bpr2002]

I'm in! My first full marathon (and Dopey) and I'm nervous yet excited. I'm skeptical about completing a half marathon and then a full marathon.

 

[pluto377]

Me! For the 10K and half

 

[DianaMB333]

I will be there.. first (only?) Dopey… in the real very slow pace group LOL

I did race simulation past weekend and I ended up with 18mins/ml avg at the end… hoping that adrenaline and ambiance will help me to get to the finish line

 

[Fenway1970]

 

[superchime]

If you pass me, please drag me along with you!

 

[Stitch&Co.]

I'll be there. 10K & Full.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

ME! Dopey here I come!

I did my simulation weekend... in my long run (24 miles) I averaged 16: 48 mins a mile... soo little slower than balloon ladies and that did not factor in bathroom breaks.

I know I go faster on race weekends... but I always worry.

 

[avondale]

I'm going to echo that you should reach out to the race director. I do this for almost every local race that I enter and find out how "Not-So-Fast" friendly they are (note: make sure that you include what your expected finish time is as "not-so-fast" means different things to different people).

One thing that I didn't realize is that some races have the option of an "early start." Basically that means you get a head's start on the rest of the pack. I had never heard of such a thing until one race director offered the option and my running coach said that it was common. Obviously it isn't for people who are competitive runners (i.e. likely to win something) or for big races, but more likely at smaller races.

I would echo both of these: reach out the race director about how good the support is toward the end, and to see if there is an early start.

I've been something like 74th out of 77 runners in races... no, not exactly crowds at the end but as long as you're ok with that, who cares? But you're right that you don't want them to start closing things up or something like that.

 

[DianaMB333]

after finishing my first Dopey (!) - maybe the one and only, here are some thoughts for my “past-self” one year ago… LOL

- train for a 6-6.5 hrs max. I trained for 7hrs, 16mins/mile, and while I get that lap time most of the distance, due to the bathroom stops; castle/everest/ 2 characters photos.. at the end I only had 3mins buffer vs balloon ladies. It was stressful!.

- rehearse nutrition/fueling to make it automatic/optimal. Due to the cold I didn't drink enough/water-electrolytes and realized just in mile 10.

- first marathon, and dopey it is too much… but if you are ever going to shoot for marathon I would do Dopey as well and get it done

- no parks after the races, prioritize rest/relax/sleep. It is easy to feel capable/strong to go to parks after 5k/10k but my feet / shins resent it.

- over prepare the wait in the corrals. Better to have extra things - blanket/mylar/poncho/hot hands/gloves that to shiver due to cold; all things can be thrown.

- mental tricks are a must. Have handy a karma, have someone cheering for you virtual or in person, and someone giving you the times (lol),, download your favorite playlist/podcast, take in the energy from spectators!

- leave the HR chest strap at home. The chafe is not worth it LOL

The race is so much fun!! Training for it not ao much but worth it!

 

[nancipants]

Congrats to everyone who finished the marathon! I'm already strategizing for how to make next year's time faster - but not TOO fast.

 

[PrincessV]

Not sure how I missed this entire thread up to this point! Y’all are my people, though, so I’m proud to join as a fellow Not-So-Fast-er.

 

[SarahDisney]

Congrats to everyone who ran 1 to 4 Not-So-Fast races this weekend!! I'm proud of you all!

 

[bpr2002]

Just a quick update because we are still at the parks celebrating my husband’s birthday.
We did it!! Despite the close encounter with the bicycle before we left home, I finished my first full marathon and my first Dopey Challenge!

A huge thank you to all who encouraged me to not lose hope and keep going.

 

[The Expert]

I just found and followed this runner a few days ago. I am LOVING her supportive content for us not-so-fast-runners!

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[nancipants]

I'm not a huge fan of her content - too many "skits" for my tastes - but I do appreciate her support for slower runners!

 

[nancipants]

I also just came across this article about the Boston Marathon. After last year's controversy with people crossing the finish line but then not getting official times because they were "swept," they've implemented a finish cutoff time of 5:30 p.m. Previously, it was six hours from when the last wave started, but that wasn't always communicated clearly - hence runners last year being told they were ahead of the cutoff but then not getting a finish time.

https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a64503899/boston-marathon-2025-new-finish-cutoff-time/

 

[The Expert]

Yeah last year was ridiculous and I'm glad they addressed it! Now let's hope they don't run out of medals (again).