How do I explain to my coworkers that I'm not interested in running long distances?

don't worry about it. when they see your 5k time they'll understand.

Do the 12k just this once.

Tell them you're too slow and you wouldn't want to run a race that was too hard for you. Then watch their jaw drop when you tempo a 17:30 5k ftw at the office charity 5k.

Say you prefer to focus on your crossfit and are worried about losing potential gainz. They will understand.

Tell them you're working on your leg speed velocity

Any beautiful women in this running group jamin?

Maybe you could impress them with a 5/12km (race/warm down) double. If practical schedule-wise. 

muy rapido wrote:

Any beautiful women in this running group jamin?

Maybe you could impress them with a 5/12km (race/warm down) double. If practical schedule-wise. 

And still smoke every one of your colleagues in 12km. Your office crush will surely swoon.

The better question is why would you continue to focus on the 800/1500 if you don't run for a college team (and aren't good enough to run professionally)? It's like you are refusing to grow up and realize those days are over.

better question wrote:

The better question is why would you continue to focus on the 800/1500 if you don't run for a college team (and aren't good enough to run professionally)? It's like you are refusing to grow up and realize those days are over.

Those days never happened because I didn't run in high school or college. I'm like Michael Jackson trying to live the childhood that he was deprived of.

better question wrote:

The better question is why would you continue to focus on the 800/1500 if you don't run for a college team (and aren't good enough to run professionally)? It's like you are refusing to grow up and realize those days are over.

Focusing on the events you enjoy seems to make a lot of sense if you're not good enough to run professionally.

There's nothing wrong at all with running track at any age, no matter what your competitive background is.

No one has to stop training and competing just because they didn't become an Olympian.

Fair play to you Jamin, for doing what you love, hope you have a good season on the track and roads.

Tell them that you'd rather be excellent than extreme.

Pro tip wrote:

Tell them you're too slow and you wouldn't want to run a race that was too hard for you. Then watch their jaw drop when you tempo a 17:30 5k ftw at the office charity 5k.

Some variation of this is awesome. Talk yourself down a little then humblebrag.

better question wrote:

The better question is why would you continue to focus on the 800/1500 if you don't run for a college team (and aren't good enough to run professionally)? It's like you are refusing to grow up and realize those days are over.

I like this attitude. Wouldn't it be great to have more local track meets with these events just like the thousands of 5k's. It would help the public understand speed vs endeuance and help hem understand athletes like Rupp and Jäger vs. people like dean k and Scott jogek

I have another perspective on this. In local races like this, I race what I expect the good competition is going to do. I race to race other people, not to do a time trial. If I think or know from past history of the race that the 12K is going to have people running in the 37 minute range on down, and the 5K is going to have other people running 18 minutes at best, I would do the 12K. That's me, and you're reasons are probably good for you, but I'd like to put that out there.

You worry way too much about what others think of you. Grow up kid.

Schneider wrote:

You worry way too much about what others think of you. Grow up kid.

Yes. Can't talk to women. Can't talk to your running group. Constantly asking for advice on letsrun. Spend a little more time interacting with the world.

Just tell those guys that you like short events and focusing on speed. It's not that hard.

Just give them the finger as you walk away.

jamin wrote:

Somehow I've been initiated into the running crew at work

You have a job?