Is it okay to open up a can of Whoop A_s on my local hobby joggers at the annual Summer 5k?

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2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:14am EDT

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.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:17am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

Of course you need to do it. That is why you asked. You are granted permission. Just be careful you don’t get defeated. This would be beyond humiliating.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:23am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

I think it depends. If it's a kind of fun run 5K and there are children in the race, I'm not sure unleashing the can of whoop ass is a good idea. But if it's simply all adult runners... I don't have a problem with that. Smash them into the ground with a smile on your face!

2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:25am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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.

It means nothing. You have nothing to prove, except whatever you have to prove to yourself and that's all that matters. No one else cares.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:28am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

Can you deal with the small town admiration and fame that will come with a big victory?

Maybe they'll ask you to coach the high school cross country team. From what it sounds like, that might be good for both you and the community. Share the talents and gifts you were blessed with. A lot of your competition probably never had the great mentors and coaches that fueled your success.

Good luck and God bless.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 2:38am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

What is wrong with you, how to be any more disrespectful to those that never had coaching or spent their enough time training - it’s a bit like saying you trained like a professional could not break 14, lol, ok I’ve give you a head start so when the gun goes off I’ll drink a whole large Starbucks to give you a head start a breeze past in the last 400… see disrespectful.

just go do it and give back, I’m sure the local club/team/school will ask you to join and help out whether as an athlete or coach

2 years ago 06/21/2023 3:06am EDT

re: Whats wrong with you

How is racing disrespectful? It's a race. And it's a choice usually to not spend more time training.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 3:08am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

Just race the thing and destroy them. Why not? You're not supposed to feel this way just because you're faster than everyone else. Enjoy the win.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 3:20am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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 the event is timed and they post results then it is a race. So, race.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 4:15am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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.

Do you have Parkrun where you are? Top or competitive runners love to show up to those types of events every so often to unleash some Whoop. It’s probably just to stroke their ego but no harm done. You can enjoy all the people fawning over you after too lol

2 years ago 06/21/2023 5:22am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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.

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?

2 years ago 06/21/2023 6:01am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

A potential 16:30 5k in the works?
Wow that's really showing them, that's some serious whoop a$$.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 6:23am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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.

What do you think the source of your insecurity is that you can't just run and enjoy it, but want to make other people feel bad?

2 years ago 06/21/2023 6:28am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

go for it, and wear a letsrun tee

2 years ago 06/21/2023 7:44am EDT

re: aboss

aboss wrote:
go for it, and wear a letsrun tee

This is, in fact, the only way you should do it.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 7:59am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

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.

Do it. You will be surprised how many Smalltown, USA runners will beat an badly aged college runner.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 8:08am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

2 years ago 06/21/2023 8:10am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

Do it, just to see the looks on the faces of the 2-3 people who stick around to see you collect the fake gold plastic runner trophy you get for winning 1st place.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 8:23am EDT

re: Twice a Runner again

I'm sure everyone else will go home DEVASTATED! at the fact that their 18 minute 5k which they barely trained for didn't win.

Case A) The 18 minute folks have no idea what actual fast 5k pace is. In this case they aren't serious enough to care about being beat.

Case B) The 18 minute folks know how fast a fast 5k is and are well aware that plenty of other people run faster than that so also won't care about losing to your 16:30.

Grandma's/kids spectating might be impressed. I remember watching ex-collegiate runners come back to my hometown as a kid and it was pretty inspirational as far as wanting to train/go out for xc.

TLDR: your competitors won't care but it'll make for a good show.

2 years ago 06/21/2023 8:24am EDT

re: Go4it

Don't let all the kids out sprint you in the first 400m.

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Is it okay to open up a can of Whoop A_s on my local hobby joggers at the annual Summer 5k?

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