It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

November 22, 2013

Am I Too Slow To Run Races?

Image Credit: www.solvencyiinews.com
I was reading a blog today, when I came across a comment that frankly, really ticked me off.  I'm not kidding when I say my heart was racing, as I was writing a response to the comment.  I was really mad.  I still am.

I will be civil and I won't call this person out by name, nor tell you where you can find the comment.  I'm not here to start a war, just share my own opinion, just like this person did.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I get that.  As an additional note, the topic of the blog post where this person commented really had little to do with their comment.

Verbatim Comment:  "Coming from a track background and having run from an early age, there are a lot of people I think who shouldn’t run races… I believe races should have cut off times, maybe 2h15/2h30 for a half, and if you can’t finish in that time start on a shorter race. Do some training before you start wanting to run races. Over 2 hours of exercise is a lot and you shouldn’t be taking on something like that if your aren’t ready for it.  All that said lots of people want to walk a half and that has pushed away cut-off times opening the door to people who shouldn’t be lining up."

I have ran around 25 half marathons.  All of them have been between 2:23 and about 2:35, with a few slower than that in the beginning.  According to this comment, apparently I shouldn't be running races, because if I run this slow it is clearly due to the fact that I am *unprepared*.  I guess I need to go back to the drawing board, and maybe start doing 5Ks or 10Ks again, until I can increase my speed.

Wow.  I just honestly couldn't believe this comment.  While, I agree that some people do line up to the start line of a race unprepared, that's on them.  And, even if they do, they could still run a 2 hour half marathon because they are just naturally faster.  What does race time have to do with being prepared?  And a 2:15 cutoff - well that's right about mid-pack.  I'd be thrilled with a 2:15 half.  Do you really think we should cut 50% of the runners out of races?

I am a slower runner.  I own that.  I work hard, I train hard, but I am slow.  My training has paid off with faster times and often new PRs at races.....you know why.... BECAUSE I AM PREPARED.....BECAUSE I TRAINED. 

And do we really want to discourage people from attempting things they might have thought impossible?  I LOVE watching people at the end of the race.  That person that has the sweeper behind them, who's worried they won't make that cutoff....they PREPARED for this race day.  They may be 200 pounds overweight, but they are doing something extraorindary.  They got off their couch and started walking.  They are trying to find their way to health and fitness and a better life.  They worked to be there.  They didn't just show up and think *maybe* I'll walk a half marathon today.  No, they put in miles to be prepared to walk that half marathon, and hope with everything in them that they finish in time that day.

In general I think the blog world is so welcoming to all atheletes of all abilites.  This comment just really set me off.  It seemed so mean.  Maybe it wasn't intended to come across the way that it did, but that's how I read and interpretted it.  Like I said at the beginning, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and this one is mine.

So, what's your opinion?

38 comments:

  1. Totally agree. I am slow too. I am happy sometimes just finishing. At least, I do it. And I train for every race that I run. i take them all seriously. I am just not fast.

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  2. I'm really glad that I did not see this comment because I would have gone off on them. How insulting and ignorant! I am a slow runner and it does not negate my right to line up at that start line and cross the finish line. This person can bite me.

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  3. I don't understand the elitist attitude some 'faster' runners have. How is anyone running a 2:15, 2:30, 3:00 half marathon affecting them at all? It isn't.

    I don't think anyone questions all the hard work you put in, Michael. You train harder than half the bloggers I follow who half ass their training and then are disappointed in a time I would be thrilled to run. :)

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  4. I TOTALLY agree! As a slow runner who's half mary PR is 2:29, I think that article is ridiculous. No one should be discouraged to get off the couch, pin a bib on and move their body!

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  5. I agree with you...and why dose this person care anyways? They are probably showered and out to lunch by the time us slower folks finish. Why do they care if we are still out there?

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    1. In his 3rd world country??? how is this relevant? and how is this necessary...

      I also read his comment under the original post, and while I do not agree with him at all, it made me think. The cut-off times do exist, for various reasons, mainly for organizational issues. He obviously has a very radical opinion about this, and he is entitled to it, if he were from the 1st world country or 87th world country. I am not taking his opinion personally, it is not worth it.

      In my super important opinion, it is great if people choose to run, walk, move. But running extremely slowly is not the best option, our bodies don't act as an elastic spring when slow slow running, because then our natural movement is lost. This is what I have been told by a medical doctor and by a chiropractor, and it made sense to me. For me, slower than 9min/mile becomes painful, mentally and physically. Some people can do it without pain even slower, much slower. But where is the individual threshold of "actual running"? I guess if you can power walk faster than it is your running pace, than it is maybe more natural and better for you to walk instead of run.

      For me, the specific comment was interesting because it made me think what is actually still running, and what is not really running any more. Because there is a difference. And I am posting this as Anonymous because I do not want to be judge by my results or my country.

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    2. You're completely correct, the "third world country" comment was completely unnecessary and inaccurate. I sincerely apologize for that phrase. Honestly, I have a couple of people I read on a regular basis from that country and have absolutely nothing against them, or their place of origin. There was no need for the comment and I'm sorry if I offended.

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    3. Thanks, Jim, for apologizing. I know you did not mean it the way you wrote it. I was surprised to read your comment because I know you are better than that. Have a nice weekend :-)

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    4. "extremely slowly" to you may be just the right pace for me - so mind your own pace and leave me and my speed alone, Anonymous. MY RACE, MY PACE.

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  7. That's a pretty naive comment from 'unknown'. Races aren't just about coming in first, and not everyone is in it to qualify for the Olympics. Anyone can and SHOULD be able to run, no matter how fast or "slow" they go. I understand why your heart rate was so high! That is just rude!!

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  8. I agree with you. So time people comments about us slow runner piss me off. At least were getting off the couch and try to do something healthy. Great post Micheal.

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  9. OMG! I read that comment this morning and my first thought (after "what an ass") was "oh the blogosphere is going to explode".

    There's always going to be snobs in every sport...thankfully, in the running community they are few and far between. One of my best half marathon experiences was running my SIL to a 2:35 finish. Believe me, we were not alone at the finish line! I applaud everyone who makes the decision to get up off the couch and run!

    The end of a race is where you see the people with all the heart...the people who have worked and worked to be able to cross the finish line. There should be an award for them!

    Run your race, Michael....that guy is a twit.

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  10. Oh as a slow runner I don't even pay attention to those comments. I'm out there, not sitting on my couch. I like running half marathons because it is not all about the fast runner. We all run against ourselves, not that person who commented. :)

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  11. From the Richmond running girl who blog stalked you two (me! ) I think that no matter what your speed is YOU ARE WORTHY of running in any event! Each person has his/her own pace, and in the end you are racing against the expectations you have for yourself and your own goals. Do not let one snide comment bring you down: keep on running!

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  12. I read this comment and felt the same way! I almost responded directly to him but didn't. I saw that he lived far away but thought what an AHOLE! Who the H does he think he is? What an elitist!!!! Sorry. I should tell you how I really feel.

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  13. I didn't read the comment, and I'm glad. That kind of stuff gets me so fired up. The only reason I was able to get into running was the welcoming, inclusive attitudes of the runners around me. It was a real revelation to be accepted (by very fast people, no less) on the basis of just who I was rather than what I could do. If not for that attitude, I doubt I'd have done more than my first 5k.

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  14. I'd go searching for the comment but it would just anger me. Running is tough, training is tough, we pour our heart and soul into our runs and our races and to be told we aren't worthy because we don't meet HIS standards? Bullshit, simply bullshit. A blog by a local runner about medals for all finishers being silly still chaps my ass, and made me feel like I've never earned any medal I've received because I didn't place over all or even in my age group. I look at the last medal I received and I earned that damn thing, it was a horrific soul stealing confidence busting marathon and I earned it. I didn't quit. Keep on keeping on!! And to be a tri athlete and feel doubt, you are more than a runner you are a swimmer and a biker, go girl!!!

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  15. Kind of cracked me up that he chose a post about little kids running to pitch that elitist point...or was it because 5-year olds run half-marathons in over 2:30? He is a super fast runner and I don't think he really "gets" why people who aren't speedy would want to run.

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  16. Unfortunately there are a lot of opinionated jerks in the world that think the sun shines from their posterior. Luckily we can all ignore the ignorance they espouse and just get on with doing our own thing - fast or slow or somewhere in between.

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  17. That's just ridiculous. People like that are the reason that I was so nervous to get into running. For the first year I ran I didn't tell anyone that I ran half mary's for fear of being judged and getting the "well you certainly don't look like a runner" look. People unfortunately can be jerks, what can you do?

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  18. It's all relative, I think I'm a slow runner, a lot of people agree, some think I'm fast others think I'm average. The point being "slow" is not the same for everyone! I love to encourage newbies to triathlon and would never discourage anyone from entering a race! The thrill of the race many times is what keeps me training. So whatever keeps someone active I'm all for!! I think it is up to each individual to decide if they are prepared enough for a race each person knows if they've trained enough or just slacked and shouldn't push it. But we can't dictate that or say that a certain would mean you did or didn't train sufficiently. In today's society we need to encourage any and all forms of physical exercise... just my humble opinion..

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  19. I saw that comment too!!! I really wanted to comment, but I whimped out!! This is why so many dont join running clubs, or fear local small races! I still havent completed a half in 230. Im training and trying, but so far.... I agree with you, that speed should not be the determining factor!!! Preparation and training!!

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  20. And…the entire post was about kids and racing! A very odd entree to the comment to begin with...

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  21. I've "ran" 7 half marathons in 3 years and I never thought I'd even run 1. I am a slow runner with my fastest time being about 2 hours and 30 minutes with all of those 1/2 marathons after being diagnosed with stage IV cancer and being on some kind of chemo. I think cut off times are ok, but they need to be reasonable not 2 hours and 15 minutes.
    These days I just wish my lungs would let me run a little....

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  22. Well you can guess what I think of this....the answer to your question is NO NO NO and NO. I don't read that blog I guess because I have no clue where this came from....but I am slow and I could care less when people like this guy think...running has changed my life...and with his suggestions...I would still be 70 lbs heavier and also miserable. Now when are you coming to CA to do a slow race with me? What is that you are saying? LA marathon ? Ok!

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  23. The only thing I do t like is when slower runners are near the front. Otherwise, all are welcome to me. This guy sounds like a real jackass.

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  24. Personally, I have one rule that I try to follow as much as I can : do not feed the trolls. But what is most appalling is that this person is a legitimate runner, who even calls himself a coach, so he must really believe what he said and is trying to spread his belief across the blogosphere. I found it very offensive and elitist, but at the end of the day, I think it's better just to ignore him and move on, just like with a troll. If you start taking things personally, it gets to you after a while. I really hope it didn't upset you. Opening the conversation is great, but feeling affected by these people is giving into their agenda (let's hurt those who don't "belong" and maybe they'll give up already). Even if you aren't as fast as others, you are a kick ass runner who has done what many others cannot even fathom as possible, an inspiration for those who truly value what running brings to them, which is much more than a number on a clock. Keep calm and run on :-)

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  25. Wow. I guess I'm too slow to run races too.

    But of course, that's a bunch of hogwash. I don't know why some faster runners can't accept slower runners being a part of the activity. It doesn't really affect them. It makes no sense to me...

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  26. Nope, you aren't too slow. Not at all.

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  27. It is all relative. Fast is relative, slow is relative. I wish I knew what blog this was though!

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  28. I think anyone that can run races. No matter how hard I try, I cannot run faster for a shorter distance, i am however, able to keep the same steady pace for hours. I am an endurance runner, doing loads of 5ks to get faster wouldn't do me any good! I recently ran a race where there wasn't enough water for the final 300+ runners, I was furious, that race director seemed to think that only the "fast" ones would need water after running 15k. ( I won't be running that race every again!)

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  29. First of all I'm a slow runner, I run at the same times like you do.

    And here in Holland that's slow. And we have cut off times, usually 3 hours for a half marathon. Reason is organisation/traffic. They can't close a road the entire day for a running (or whatever else) event.

    I think everyone should run a race if they want. That having said: if you are going to completely walk a half marathon or a marathon: don't even start. Search for a walking event. Running events are for people that run (or run/walk) and not for walkers. Here in Holland it's absolutely not done that you walk a marathon that's meant for running. We have walking and running events here every weekend so there's something to choose for both the runner and the walker (which I am both).

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  30. I guess I'm not reading enough blogs lately to have seen the comment or even known this discussion was happening.

    My half marathon time is just about 2:30 also - let's start a 2:30 Half Marathoner club and celebrate our freaking awesomeness. We prepare just like everyone else - Cuz we're awesome :-)

    Some people suck. I'm going to go hang out with my dog. He thinks I'm great and he thinks I'm fast :-)

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  31. ugh. I don't know where the comment is but ya know what NO. you are not to slow to race. blah. Negative shit doesn't help people get off the couch. It just doesn't.

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  32. Ewww. Gross person. According to them, I should've never started running and it's comments like that that's almost kept me from running. . . almost ;) I'm too awesome to let someone that ignorant get in my head- as are you!

    We all get the same medal, buddy. Chill out.

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  33. My time at the KC Half Marathon in October was not sufficient to meet this guy's cut-off standard, but it was sufficient for my personal AWESOMENESS standard. I got out there. I did it. I ran it. I ran through the pain. I ran through the doubt. I trained and I worried and I trained some more. Now I'm training for a full, and I'm sure my finish time will be below this guy's requirement again. But I'm gonna be out there. And I'm gonna finish. And that's a win!

    Thanks for making this post!

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