old guys talking during races?

Usually start chanting “lock her up”

I'm an old guy and I don't do this nor have I ever noticed this....but then again, I don't really have any other old guys around me when I'm racing.

maybe you dropped them because they are all busy chit chatting! I can tell they used to be fast(er) by their form. I just wonder at what point you start making conversation like you would with a training partner on a long run

Guy in a half I did recently started commenting about the fake wolf scarecrow type thing in a field to our right. C'mon now guy.

God forbid that people have a good time and chat a bit during the race! That's not real racing!

You do realize that you are complaining about people enjoying themselves during a race? Are you really that miserable?

halfmary wrote:

Has anyone else noticed this? Guys in their 50's and 60's who are cruising maybe just above 7 minute pace. So you know back in their day they were quick little suckers. Everything I start running with them in a race (half marathon, 10 miler, 15k etc) they strike up conversations.

Something to the effect of

"Lot more hilly than I thought!"

"Does this headwind mean a tailwind on the way back?"

"Nice job buddy! Wish I was your age again"

Or if you are passing them

"I'm x years old...not bad for an old guy!"

I realize that in your twilight years of running you won't be able to run close to the times you could in your younger days but why even pay for a race if you are just going to yuck it up and slow yourself down?

Anyone else notice this?

No. We don't run 7 minute pace and it's pretty pathetic that you do as a young man.

Tell them to shut the f up and start racing.

If they truly raced in the 70’s and 80’s then their chatting is blasphemy to the sport they entered then that had been watered down to a parade now.

Uncle drew

I won't lie, while I am not as old as the guys you are describing (only 46), I have been known to throw a little chatter out there during a race. I mean, I am not holding a conversation, but I might engage someone in the crowd who says something funny, point out a hot elite woman in front of us, comment on the smells coming from someone's kitchen as we run by (last time it was bacon), or gently and jokingly chide my competitors for "having the old guy do all the work", or try to encourage someone who is starting to struggle, or something along those lines.

First off, even if you are running hard, you should feel halfway decent for the first third of the race, and then at least moderately okay for the next third. Races are a long way to go and I like to distract myself.

Secondly, it's a savvy veteran move. If you can comfortably talk, even for just a sentence or two at a time, it can get in a less experienced runner's head some, and that can be an advantage.

But mostly I am just bored and trying to entertain myself and those around me.

I talk during a race to show my dominance. I'm not even winded bro.

It's dominant to be running slower than your potential for that race? ok

If you cant chat a bit during the early part of a half marathon those guys are going to be passing you around mile 10 any way. They're smarter than you.

Yes. I have noticed this. My pace sunk like a stone the past few years as I had some injury problems and lost consistent training due to work and family. I was racing with some of the better 50+ runners. There is definitely a greater population of race talkers in that group than with younger runners. I think it might be some loneliness as many of them are becoming empty nesters or have teen age kids who are never around anymore. They also seem to be genuinely thankful that they are still at it and just want everyone out there to have a good time. It is certainly a different experience from going after PRs when you are in your 20s and 30s.

Old Timey Guy wrote:

I'm an old guy and I don't do this nor have I ever noticed this....but then again, I don't really have any other old guys around me when I'm racing.

Oh really? Pray tell, how's that?

This is true and there is a reason for it. Our cardio-vascular systems are still in great shape but our bodies have abandoned us.

As a result we have more than enough oxygen, but we can't move our bodies fast enough without something falling apart. So we chit chat and shoot the bull because we have nothing else to do because we suck at golf.

The Humble Brag Facilitator wrote:

Old Timey Guy wrote:

I'm an old guy and I don't do this nor have I ever noticed this....but then again, I don't really have any other old guys around me when I'm racing.

Oh really? Pray tell, how's that?

Bad breath, body odor, full diaper, etc.

There are people who talk during races. I know someone who raced against Barry Watson, who made the UK marathon team for the '80 Olympics, and he said Watson never shut up during races. As to your older guys, I can't speak specifically about these two, but sometimes as you get old your muscles and joints reach the point where they're "less fit" than your lungs and cardiovascular system meaning that they won't allow you to run hard enough to get out of breath. I can no longer push myself hard enough to breathe hard so if I was in a race and going as hard as I could I still would be able to chat away if I wanted to.

That's cool about Watson! Definitely going to look into that.

Didn't mean to offend anyone with this post or come off rude. Just tried to use a colorful description because that seems to help create a good discussion on the topic. I'll openly admit I'm slow for a young male but I enjoy the sport and feel awkward not talking back but at the same time I train hard to try and reach my best personal potential so I wondered if anyone else noticed this type of thing happening.

appreciate the variety of responses and comments!

halfmary wrote:

Has anyone else noticed this? Guys in their 50's and 60's who are cruising maybe just above 7 minute pace. So you know back in their day they were quick little suckers. Everything I start running with them in a race (half marathon, 10 miler, 15k etc) they strike up conversations.

If you wish to avoid this, just run faster than low 7 minute pace.

I'm only 31 and I can run hard while still making occasional comments/chatting during Half marathons.

10k is about the point where it gets hard to talk.

If you cross train for any other cardiovascular sport then that is just how things happen.

So next time you come up on anyone not just some old dude sit on them for a few minutes. Make them sweat. Test them a couple of times. Accelerate past them while exuding an air of friendly confidence while shouting some encouragement like Nice Job! or Good Job! or Way to Go! or Man I bet you used to be fast! This will be enough for them to give it up.