Do you hate discussing running--especially your times or PRs?

Yes! No one knows anything about running, but we are expected to know everything about all other sports. Well stated.

In regard to the 5-minute miles in marathons...if they knew that only a fraction of a percentage of runners can do that, they might refrain from saying such things.

Metric Miler wrote:

The worst response is "is that good?"

Anything you say after that is a lose-lose situation. Either you say no and look like you are rubbish or you say yeah and look like a bell.

Or maybe worse than that is "what's the world record?".... I seem to get that one a lot haha.

I'm an 800m runner and first people ask what's my 5k then ask what's the 5k world record lol.

Those lose-lose scenarios are the worst.

I have yet to get the "world record" reply--thank heaven.

It's like being a chemist and people want to discuss chemistry with you, even though the only experience they have is from high school

Metric Miler wrote:

The worst response is "is that good?"

Anything you say after that is a lose-lose situation. Either you say no and look like you are rubbish or you say yeah and look like a bell.

Or maybe worse than that is "what's the world record?".... I seem to get that one a lot haha.

I'm an 800m runner and first people ask what's my 5k then ask what's the 5k world record lol.

A good tip is to base it on your PB, so "yeah it was a PB" or "Nah not quite but it was close". They don't tend to follow up if your PB is good so you can get away with it.

The worst question is actually "Did you win?" Because I never do and it would be impossible for me to win any competition I enter.

mediocresprinter wrote:

Metric Miler wrote:

The worst response is "is that good?"

Anything you say after that is a lose-lose situation. Either you say no and look like you are rubbish or you say yeah and look like a bell.

Or maybe worse than that is "what's the world record?".... I seem to get that one a lot haha.

I'm an 800m runner and first people ask what's my 5k then ask what's the 5k world record lol.

A good tip is to base it on your PB, so "yeah it was a PB" or "Nah not quite but it was close". They don't tend to follow up if your PB is good so you can get away with it.

The worst question is actually "Did you win?" Because I never do and it would be impossible for me to win any competition I enter.

Bingo--the "Did you win?" takes the cake.

In regard to the 5-minute miles in marathons...if they knew that only a fraction of a percentage of runners can do that, they might refrain from saying such things.

But yet, you'd still mock them for thinking you're "any good".

outsiderunner wrote:

mediocresprinter wrote:

A good tip is to base it on your PB, so "yeah it was a PB" or "Nah not quite but it was close". They don't tend to follow up if your PB is good so you can get away with it.

The worst question is actually "Did you win?" Because I never do and it would be impossible for me to win any competition I enter.

Bingo--the "Did you win?" takes the cake.

Being "fast" in high school is the worst. I get all these questions on a daily basis. Because people know I am good at my one event (the 800) they assume that I am good at everything else from the 40 to the marathon.

Additionally, because I have that reputation and because people don't know anything about times, I could say pretty much any time for any distance and people will say "wow that's great!" lol.

It is never a good idea to discus running with non-runners.

Two rules:

No discussing running at work.

No discussing work while running.

I can't stand talking about running with most people in large part for the exact reason you've stated. I've always wondered if other ppl felt the same way. Whenever I get cornered into convos about running I try to completely avoid talking about Times and describe where I am in relation to other ppl, describing some who are better and some who are worse so that I don't sound arrogant but also not a joke.

Why do you care what hobby joggers think of you?

Here's a tip: stop trying to brag about or even talk about your running and all of these problems will go away.

If someone says they saw you "practicing" just say you're trying to stay in shape. No reason to mention racing at all.

Hey there, outsiderunner. I remember your post from a while back where you were lamenting the lack of respect regular folks have for fast times at relatively short distances like the 5k, and you were contemplating a go at the marathon to shut those fools up!

So, congratulations on your 3:02 debut! That really is a fantastic time, and if people don't understand that, well, they probably don't have much of an interest in running. I think people consider it insane to run 26.2 miles in one go and are simply curious how long something like that might take. They have no frame of reference to determine the merit of your particular time. Don't sweat it, man.

If it's respect from the casual/non-running community you're after, you could always take that 3:02 to Boston. People do recognize that as a great achievement even if they have limited interest in running.

That being said, there's always something else out there that a friend of a friend could be doing to one-up you: an ultra, a tough mudder, mountain climbing, etc. You'll never please everyone!

don't mention it wrote:

Here's a tip: stop trying to brag about or even talk about your running and all of these problems will go away.

If someone says they saw you "practicing" just say you're trying to stay in shape. No reason to mention racing at all.

Are most runners really so socially inept that they feel questions create "problems" for them? Geesh. People ask "Is that good?" Answer honestly! People want to know how far you go? Tell them! People say you're crazy? Educate them! Provide context. Make friends. Be likable and interesting. It really isn't hard. Do you have to occasionally say things that make you cringe? Sure. Do you have to accept that people "don't get it"? Of course! Get over it though. It's nothinh worth being an insecure loser about.

Coworker: Oh, 3:02? Is that any good?

You: I was excited about it. I've been working pretty hard to hit 3:05. Now I just want to get under 3 hrs, haha.

Coworker: Oh, nice. Do you run quite a bit?

You: Yeah, I try to get 50-60 per week depending on my schedule. My wife and buddies think I'm nuts but I love it! There are people out there worse than me. A few guys I run with go like 100 miles a week and run 50 mile races through the mountains! Those dudes are nuts...

Coworker: Yeah, my dentist does ultras! I think he does ironmans too. Those guys are crazy, haha. Hey, you wanna grab a drink with the guys after work tonight?

You remembered! I guess i shut them up after all. Thanks for the encouragement. I am, in fact, taking my 3:02 somewhere: to New York. I was born in NYC and since NYC was the tougher qualifier (3:05), it was basically a no-brainer. Had an injury this winter and am ramping back up right now. Feeling better lately. All the best to you.

I see your point. These are good responses.

The key is to avoid humblebragging, but also diminishing accomplishments and fake modesty.

Non-runners tend to know a marathon takes about 4 hours to complete, that would be the "norm". Anything in the 5-6 hours range is clearly slow to them, anything in the 3 range sounds pretty good, and anything that starts with a 2 puzzles them.

So as the previous poster said, give context.

If you ran 3:02, tell them you were working towards a BQ and that your next goal is sub 3 which is 6:52 pace per mile.

But if you ran 2:30, you can't fake modesty and be like "it's 5 min something miles". It's clearly fast, even if almost half hour slower than the winner. So I would say that you're pretty happy with your result even if way behind the winners or even OTQ.

I repeat. No fake modesty. You have the right to be happy with your running. Just find the balance between bragging and unnecessary modesty. Know your audience, and adapt accordingly.

The best quote is definitely the people asking how far was this marathon? As if there were different marathon lengths.

In Britain, if someone asks you if something you have done is good, it is socially unacceptable to say yes and take credit.

Yeah, you don't need to spout any of that BS, There should be no questions.