Bob Kennedy has become a, GASP, HOBBYJOGGER!!!

Octonaught wrote:

or this wrote:

High-level running is not easy on the body or the mind. And when the career ends, far worse things have happened to former Olympians than being overweight and slow. Good on him for being out there and slogging out 26 miles. I'm sure that wasn't easy, physically or psychologically. I have a feeling the psychological burden of being a former Olympian in this physical condition is not easy to bear, especially with people like the OP who like to mock and ridicule.

Do you really think BK cares about people on LRC? My guess is that he's just having fun.

Is he really that fat?

From the photos of him, definitely not obese. Looks like a typical middle aged American guy.

How the mighty have fallen... wrote:

Yikes. A far cry from what he used to run!

Bob Kennedy, 45, 4:24:57, two-time Olympian and former American record holder in the 3,000 meters, two-mile, and 5,000 meters.

http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/how-notable-runners-fared-at-the-2016-boston-marathon

Bob Kennedy ran sub 13 5000m and led the Olympic 5000m final with 800m to go. He has done enough to justify his ability as a runner and he can do whatever the heck wants today as far as I'm concerned.

or this wrote:

High-level running is not easy on the body or the mind. And when the career ends, far worse things have happened to former Olympians than being overweight and slow. Good on him for being out there and slogging out 26 miles. I'm sure that wasn't easy, physically or psychologically. I have a feeling the psychological burden of being a former Olympian in this physical condition is not easy to bear, especially with people like the OP who like to mock and ridicule.

It's not easy going from a competitive mindset to one of just getting out there for your health. Good for him.

Personally, I see guys like Centro, Sr. and it scares me enough to run a few times a week.

I remember reading a quote from Ron Hill that basically said something like "... why should I stop doing something I enjoy (presumably running every day and competing whenever he feels like it) just because I'm not as good at it as I once was?"

By the logic of some people on this site no elite runner should run a step in public once their best days are clearly behind them. Some elites take this view, other don't. It's down to them; their past achievements should be respected, their current performances ignored!

Kennedy was the guy that everyone should have admired as a fan. He ripped workouts, raced anyone and everyone, pushed the pace when needed, made no excuses, emphaiszed trying to improve and compete with the best, wanted to learn to hurt more....... BK gave everything he had. To think that he finished and was burnt should not be too hard to understand. Bob Kennedy has every right and should be proud to jog, wear a headband & fanny pack, and run 20 minute miles if that is what he chooses. To the lead at 600 to go in Atlanta -- alone enough for me. Dude has my respect. Waddle on!

Expressing contempt for people who run slow speaks volumes about the contemptuous pea-brains who express contempt.

Are you all young people who can run a 3:31 1500? Probably not.

Are you going to continue to run past the age of 30? Probably yes. Will you run slower as you age? Oh, of course not!

Old Man Runner wrote:

slow long runners wrote:

Jurek and the Tarahumara guy didn't do much for showing us what ultra runners can do.

Pretty sure Jurek paced ex-supermodel Christy Turlington, given they finished in same exact time and have same splits.

I am sure you could EASILY set that Appalachian Trail speed record, right? No problem to average 47 miles per DAY over 46 plus days and doing over 5k feet of gain (10k total gain/loss) oer day, right? I mean, after all, you run 80 to 100 miles per WEEK on concrete.

Probably, I do even more than that on concrete.

Did Turlington really need "pacing".

What does "GASP" even stand for?

Expressing contempt for people who express contempt for people who run slow speaks volumes about the contemptuous pea-brains who express contempt.

Not an expresser wrote:

Expressing contempt for people who express contempt for people who run slow speaks volumes about the contemptuous pea-brains who express contempt.

No, it doesn´t.

I COULD LAP HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN A FULL THON!!!!!

Argument wrote:

Not an expresser wrote:

Expressing contempt for people who express contempt for people who run slow speaks volumes about the contemptuous pea-brains who express contempt.

No, it doesn´t.

Yes it does

At least he's jogging.

I don't care if Bob Kennedy Gallo-walks a color run in a penguin costume, he will never, ever be a hobby jogger.

Great Scot wrote:

His is the fate (at best) of all the LRC skinnyfats who eat high-carb, once their racing days end.

This.

He runs a slow marathon yet he is neither BUFF nor SHREDDED.

He would be much better off doing CrossFit than wasting his time with jogging.

How will he ever find a quality wife?

X-fitters aren't looking for quality wives, they're looking for come dumpsters.

I think it is a little tougher for BK because he doesn't have a fast marathon PR, so this marathon thing is bothering people.

If he had run a 2:06 back in the day after his track years, I don't think people would care. Kind of like that guy Bill Rogers, no one cares that he is old and slow.

What is Bob doing these days, anyway? I know he sold out his share of his running stores, right? I remember his wife running (unsuccessfully) for mayor of Indianapolis a few years ago...

We are supposed to be shocked that Bob Kennedy is not a perennial 25 yr old running 13:00 5Ks?