why do slow people race

aging racer wrote:

What is the motivation for people to spend $40+ to walk/jog a 5k or 10k? I went out for a 4th of july 5k this morning, ran 16:10 (not great, but just enough to win a small amount of cash). I would not have done it if I didn't think I could win. Yet, with 1000 participants, less than 25 ran sub-20 minutes. So WHY even come out if you know you aren't competitive?

I understand these people are in to feel good about themselves, but they could get the same workout anywhere for free and still be self-aggrandizing about it to their peers and coworkers.

Once I get slow enough to stop finishing top 5% I don't see any reason to keep registering for them.

Is there more to racing than the thrill of competition and winning?

0/10

Why even troll if this is the best you can come up with?

aging racer wrote:

What is the motivation for people to spend $40+ to walk/jog a 5k or 10k?

...

Must suck to be poor.

Even if you're not going to win, you race to see where you stack up in your age group. Or you race so you can watch from up close as the young studs battle for first place.

The most important race is the race you run with yourself. You race to see if you can be smarter about pacing your first mile than last time. You race to see if you can run more even splits than last time. You race to find out what happens if you go hard for 3 miles and then unleash the best kick you've got.

At least that's why I race. Figure your out your own reasons for racing, and stop worrying about why the people who are funding your prize money are lining up to compete.

Plus bragging about a losing time at a high school meet... why is HE racing?

I dunno why do you race?

That time is slow by letsrun standards

wejo lejo wrote:

I dunno why do you race?

That time is slow by letsrun standards

He is slow but fast by LR standards (remember the words of Brian Sell).

Not everyone who enters a race is "racing".

I kinda agree with OP. As a master runner my current 5k time is almost 4 minutes slower than my PR from 20+ years ago. Some of the runners I ran against in college still run decent times and I just hate being a midpack runner. I won't race until I'm well below 17. And that may take time.

Drinks and other stuff is served. Nice atmosphere. People cheering. And of course I like to look at the women's booties.

I guess if you have money problems it's better to run alone.

old and slow wrote:

I kinda agree with OP. As a master runner my current 5k time is almost 4 minutes slower than my PR from 20+ years ago. Some of the runners I ran against in college still run decent times and I just hate being a midpack runner. I won't race until I'm well below 17. And that may take time.

"If your afraid to race don't run"

Bowerman

PTO wrote:

old and slow wrote:

I kinda agree with OP. As a master runner my current 5k time is almost 4 minutes slower than my PR from 20+ years ago. Some of the runners I ran against in college still run decent times and I just hate being a midpack runner. I won't race until I'm well below 17. And that may take time.

"If your afraid to race don't run"

Bowerman

"Don't compete, build up slowly, keep it fun, and be good to your feet and joints"

Bill Bowerman

Yes, there is much more to racing than the thrill of competition for the older and slower folks. Many of them care a great deal about the cause the road race is supporting and care little about the guy who ran 16:10.

well,. wrote:

wejo lejo wrote:

I dunno why do you race?

That time is slow by letsrun standards

He is slow but fast by LR standards (remember the words of Brian Sell).

Nope. I have been around here since this place hadn't even hatched out of 2nd instar phase. You don't get a modicum of respect here unless you've broken 15 for 5K, and that's the low level standard.

Wolf Spritzer wrote:

well,. wrote:

He is slow but fast by LR standards (remember the words of Brian Sell).

Nope. I have been around here since this place hadn't even hatched out of 2nd instar phase. You don't get a modicum of respect here unless you've broken 15 for 5K, and that's the low level standard.

True about respect, but I wonder where the truth lies. I'll bet at least 75% have never run 16:10 or faster. And of those 25%, only a quarter of them can currently do it.

aging racer wrote:

What is the motivation for people to spend $40+ to walk/jog a 5k or 10k? I went out for a 4th of july 5k this morning, ran 16:10 (not great, but just enough to win a small amount of cash). I would not have done it if I didn't think I could win. Yet, with 1000 participants, less than 25 ran sub-20 minutes. So WHY even come out if you know you aren't competitive?

I understand these people are in to feel good about themselves, but they could get the same workout anywhere for free and still be self-aggrandizing about it to their peers and coworkers.

Once I get slow enough to stop finishing top 5% I don't see any reason to keep registering for them.

Is there more to racing than the thrill of competition and winning?

I quit racing at age 60, when I gave an all-out effort in a 4th of July 4 miler and was passed 100 yards from the finish by a young MILF pushing twins in a stroller. Me and my ego work out alone now, and I spectate at races.

16:10 is a good time for a 50 year old. Don't feel bad about being slow.

slow dude wrote:

Drinks and other stuff is served. Nice atmosphere. People cheering. And of course I like to look at the women's booties.

I guess if you have money problems it's better to run alone.

set an example for kids, meet fit chicks, a lot of fun

aging racer wrote:

What is the motivation for people to spend $40+ to walk/jog a 5k or 10k? I went out for a 4th of july 5k this morning, ran 16:10 (not great, but just enough to win a small amount of cash). I would not have done it if I didn't think I could win. Yet, with 1000 participants, less than 25 ran sub-20 minutes. So WHY even come out if you know you aren't competitive?

I understand these people are in to feel good about themselves, but they could get the same workout anywhere for free and still be self-aggrandizing about it to their peers and coworkers.

Once I get slow enough to stop finishing top 5% I don't see any reason to keep registering for them.

Is there more to racing than the thrill of competition and winning?

Where are these slow races where you can win money with a 16:10 5K?!!! In my state even a 15:30 doesn't give you anything. Crazy.

Wolf Spritzer wrote:

well,. wrote:

He is slow but fast by LR standards (remember the words of Brian Sell).

Nope. I have been around here since this place hadn't even hatched out of 2nd instar phase. You don't get a modicum of respect here unless you've broken 15 for 5K, and that's the low level standard.

Most people here claim they have run sub-15, earn 250k/year and are married to models - all is BS.