I'm not being elitist, but I HAVE slow runners.

do you have keyboard dislexia or something the t is on top and v is on the bottom, Vimmy or is it Timmy wtf

spr wrote:

do you have keyboard dislexia or something the t is on top and v is on the bottom, Vimmy or is it Timmy wtf

I think he was trying to be clever by making "t" to "v" letter switch as the OP. Or maybe it's just a weird coincidence that they both have this issue.

Maybe some people run with seemingly unnecessary accessories, but are actually good.

I am a middle aged, middle of the packer, with any chance of a PR behind me but:

1. I love to run

2. I have running related goals

3. I train as hard as my middle-aged body will take

4. I run every race to the best of my abilities.

5. I plan to run until I no longer can.

That makes me just and "worthy" of running in an event as anyone else.

And no, I cannot run a sub-20 min 5k, and most likely won't any time in the future. I don't see how a 7 min miler is any less worthy than a 6 or 5 minute miler. That cut-off seems rather arbitrary. We are all recreational runners after all, because, by definition, we are not achieving the times required for elite status.

Besides, where will all the aging runners go under your "any one who can not run a 5 k in under twenty minutes should not be allowed to race" scheme? I wonder what your times will be when you are 55?

Wow. You read an awful lot into someone just running in a race -- have you sought therapy for your deep-seated anger? [quote]newRD wrote:

"I for one totally agree with the OP. It is actually a misnomer to call them slow runners, fore they are hardly running at all. A better name would be running posers. They buy all the stuff, come to the events, and look as if they are participating. But, they don't really try, and in the back of there minds they smirk at those who do. Then, they go back to work and act as though they are fit - or are trying to be.

They are hypocrites of the worst order. They get the best of both words of pretending they are runners in instances where it would give them stature, and then they are nonrunners when it is to their advantage to be more "normal". Indeed they are selfish manipulative people, and their conduct should not be commended. Those of you who think they have taken the first steps off the couch have just been hoodwinked.

Finally, they have ruined the sport by both lowering the standards, and by enticing weaker RDs to cater to the dollars that these posers collectively bring to events. Neighbors of the posers can't be impressed with the "sport" of running when these morbidly obese whales put on their little shorts to go posing for a half mile around the block. I'v also seen where races actually gave the best prize to the last person to finish. Deplorable! The OP is spot on, slow runners are an inestimable drain on the sport."

this thread used to be funny.

now it's just sad

With apologies to the Bard...

All of letsrun is the rage,

And all the runners except elite merely posers,

They have their exits and entrances,

And one poster in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the child star,

Mewling and puking in the coach's sight.

Then, the whining RW reader with his fanny pack,

And shining sweating face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to the finish. And then the miler,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful stride

winning by an eyelash if that. Then an old master,

Full of strange oaths, and leering at the tarts,

Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the age group vet

In fair round belly, with half-tights snug,

With eyes severe, and singlet wicking water,

Full of wise saws, and modern instances,

And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts

Into lean times for awards, slipping times,

With Oakleys on nose, and Camelback on shoulders,

His youthful speed well gone, a waist too wide,

For his shrunk splits, and his big manly voice,

Turning again towards childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans PRs, sans everything--

except internet access.

Omg I love this

ahahahahah, excellent, Mr Conundrum.

Mr Conundrum wrote:

Dear Annoyed,

I can so relate to your post because I too have slow runners. I keep them in my basement. Sometimes I take one out, give them a 5 minutes head start to run away but I always run them down and retrieve them.

I don't let them go because I too am concerned about mediocrity and what their slow times are doing to my sport.

Seven Ages of Threads wrote:

Then an old master, leering at the tarts,

mmmmmmmmmmmmm... Pop Tarts... my favorite!

bump

Hes obviously trolling for response, but I still want to grab him by the chicken neck and swing him around a couple times. Preferably on the front row of a road race where he is standing but doesn't belong. Which reminds me of another rant. If you are a really fast runner and weigh about 130 lbs, please don't stalk around like a tiger with a pissed look on your face before a race starts. It's a waste of your valuable energy reserves and you look like the biggest toolbag of all time. Embrace the fact that you're a fast runner, don't try to channel your non-existent fighter too.

I have not read through all the pages but in regards to the HAVE and HATE issue do people not realize the guy wrote this thread on his phone and his phone auto corrected the word hate.

a slow runner wrote:

somebody....

anybody....

"still annoyed" has me locked up in his basement - somebody PLEASE call 911...

PLEASE!

Oh poor dear! I'll call for you--but you'll need to post your address so the cops can find you.

annoyed wrote:

Isn't it about time that race organisers set a maximum finish time for all races? It might improve standards, rather than people think they've 'achieved' something by shuffling a half marathon in 3 hours. If you don't make the cut, tough, try and improve for next time. I'm fed up of mediocrity being celebrated!

No. The answer to your question is no.

sub 20 minimum on a 5k period.

I think I have figured out why the conflict between slow and fast runners exists.

It is the parable of the prodigal son. The fast runner is the son who does everything right his entire life, training and maintaining fitness. The slow runner is the prodigal son. He lost interest in running and wasted his youth in greed, but wants to come back to his father and race once more, welcomed into races when he is middle aged.

How, then, shall we treat the prodigal son? Shall we refuse to accept him, or shall we celebrate his return?

It's your choice.

Bump