Of course you should run it. As you can see from the above comments, people enjoy having a fast runner show up to run with.
Another reason is to stay on a trajectory where you don't get old and fat before your time.
These are all good. Another good one is to run the whole race while making a phone call. Hold the phone to your ear and everything.
Twice a Runner again wrote:
I live in a town of about 40,000 people. There is nobody fast here. I think the fastest guys who show up to the local races are like 18:30 5k runners at best, and it falls off quickly so that 3rd place is a like a 19:30 type 5k dude. I'm not truly fast anymore, but I ran ~14:00 in college 12 years ago and still run. I could probably drop a 16:30 or something if I ran a few workouts in the 6 weeks leading up the race.
However, part of me feels like this is silly. What do I have to prove? That I'm better than some hobby jogger slow pokes in Smalltown, USA? Yet part of me wants to just to make a mini statement. People know I run, but only my close friends know I ran in college and was decent once upon a time... Having conflicting feelings about the whole thing.
If you want to run the race, run it. What's the big deal? No one is going to care if you run 16:30, 17:30 or jog it in for a 27:30, except you.
Twice a Runner again wrote:
I live in a town of about 40,000 people. There is nobody fast here. I think the fastest guys who show up to the local races are like 18:30 5k runners at best, and it falls off quickly so that 3rd place is a like a 19:30 type 5k dude. I'm not truly fast anymore, but I ran ~14:00 in college 12 years ago and still run. I could probably drop a 16:30 or something if I ran a few workouts in the 6 weeks leading up the race.
However, part of me feels like this is silly. What do I have to prove? That I'm better than some hobby jogger slow pokes in Smalltown, USA? Yet part of me wants to just to make a mini statement. People know I run, but only my close friends know I ran in college and was decent once upon a time... Having conflicting feelings about the whole thing.
Run with the leaders for one mile, and then... zoooof !
Twice a Runner again wrote:
I live in a town of about 40,000 people. There is nobody fast here. I think the fastest guys who show up to the local races are like 18:30 5k runners at best, and it falls off quickly so that 3rd place is a like a 19:30 type 5k dude. I'm not truly fast anymore, but I ran ~14:00 in college 12 years ago and still run. I could probably drop a 16:30 or something if I ran a few workouts in the 6 weeks leading up the race.
However, part of me feels like this is silly. What do I have to prove? That I'm better than some hobby jogger slow pokes in Smalltown, USA? Yet part of me wants to just to make a mini statement. People know I run, but only my close friends know I ran in college and was decent once upon a time... Having conflicting feelings about the whole thing.
1. 16:30 - Don't kid yourself. You are a hobby jogger.
2. The other people in the race won't get their feelings hurt. They probably won't even think about you at all.
Wear Crocs. If you win it in Crocs everyone will be impressed and you'll never be forgotten.
[ also are you single? If so, you never know, but at such races there is the occasional Hobby jogger Fit Girl with speed goggles who may show you some attention afterwards if you win gold 🏆 ]
I’m shocked that nobody has suggested the most obvious answer: RUN ON PURE HATE. When you cross the finish line, tear off your nipples and throw them into the crowd.
Later, make sure you are overheard saying how the time is 2 MINUTES SLOWER THAN YOUR PR. At that point, go and collect your nipples back from the fan boy who will undoubtedly catch them. Hurry though, he might sell them on eBay
seriously though. Run the race. If you want to, run hard. If you want to train, do that too.
Dump Truck wrote:
These are all good. Another good one is to run the whole race while making a phone call. Hold the phone to your ear and everything.
This is the best one. Make sure to slip in some remarks about how you're warming up for your 20 miler later that day, didn't get any sleep the night before, etc
No. It’s very bad form to knowingly compete in a race that’s well below your level of competition. Let the hobby joggers enjoy their event without trying to ruin it for them. It won’t even feel like a victory for you. You’ll just feel like a jackass afterwards. Don’t do that to yourself.
Lucas Tanner wrote:
No. It’s very bad form to knowingly compete in a race that’s well below your level of competition. Let the hobby joggers enjoy their event without trying to ruin it for them. It won’t even feel like a victory for you. You’ll just feel like a jackass afterwards. Don’t do that to yourself.
Not sure how it ruins it for hobby joggers. Except for maybe the 1 or 2 who thought they had a chance to come in first. Everyone else will not care and most will not even know.
chip timed and in my prime wrote:
You realize of course that the hobby joggers don't care about the overall winner. They are in it for finisher medals and maybe an age group award.
The crowd will be more impressed by the 60+ year old geezers that break 25 than they will be by your sub 17.
As they should be. I'm sure that 60 year old geezer had accomplished much more of valve than anyone worrying about whether or not to run a fast 5k.
I once showed up at a small town 5k wearing jean shorts, a tank top, and a pair of shoes that I used to mow my lawn (they were green and full of grass). Got some funny looking from the local "pros". Dusted the field and laughed all the way home.
Dude I felt this way. Once ran in a college a lifetime ago and was decently quick. But now not so much due to age and professional life. But be careful of expectations. I thought that I could cruise to a win in a local 5k race recently and I was dusted by a younger phenom. Expected to just show up and run something like 17 and throw in a big kick and boy I was wrong.
Sally Vix wrote:
What happens if there is another guy like you living in your small town who decides to show up for the race, but he ran 13:00 in college 12 years ago?
I don't think Henry Rono is in great shape rn.
Holy Cow. And this goes for 9 out of 10 LetsRun regulars. You know who you are. Well, no, actually you probably don’t. But, be that as it may, let me quote the famous words of William Shatner, uttered many years ago on Saturday Night Live, while addressing a group of Trekkies who had gathered for the purpose of paying him homage: GET A LIFE!!
The 18 minute guys will be so devastated that they will say "nice race" and try to fist bump or high five you after they get their banana at the finish line.
It would be a nice gesture to extend the same courtesy to the high school kid who runs 15:45.