mgm wrote:
There are two factors to blame for this:
1) The 15 min 5K guy himself with a need to project insecurities.
2) The general running public who feeds into the narcissism through their ignorance of what true elite runners are capable of.
This captures some truth of the matter.
Former 15 min type, now a 17 min age grouper still getting a kick out of it (sort of).
Never considered myself elite, although at times felt consumed by it all. Hey, just passionate about running. It was good enough to place okay at local-regional type races and even go to some national championships on the roads and XC. Nowhere near competitive at those levels, but it was a thrill to be there and give it a go. No shame in that I hope. Generally disregarded if not ignored by elite type coaches/clubs.
The sport has changed immensely since those days. The times I ran consistently then would seem to win most road races unless the professional runners were there. In other words, 16 is the new 15 for 5K. Anyone else notice that?
And at the other end, hobby jogging?!!! This thread muses at the 19, 17 min 5K runners. Have you followed the 30, 28, 26, 24, 22? To these folks a 20:30 is huge. But oddly, if you post a 17 or 16 and they having nothing to say, as if dumbstruck. This is where the mass of running is at now. Charity 5K runs, "half marys," and 4 and 5 hour marathons. I miss the good old days.