this is what I got against racewalking

I am by no means a racewalk fan but don't you think you're overstating it a bit?While its true the event is not competitive or respected in North America, it is elsewhere. Russia is a prime example - they select athletes as walkers from a young age, and there is one marathoner who actually started as a racewalker but moved into running. For the life of me I can't remember her name but I recall reading about it on the iaaf site. What I want to know is why does the USA bother competing at all when American walkers are by in large so far off the international standards? Leave the racewalking to the countries where it matters - we don't try and play the English in cricket, do we?

stater of the most obvious wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0lDrOK6bDw

this is a lovely race walk video.

HAHAHAHAHA. The part in the middle where Fables is talking is amazing. Nearly as good as when they go into the woods.

"What I want to know is why does the USA bother competing at all when American walkers are by in large so far off the international standards? Leave the racewalking to the countries where it matters - we don't try and play the English in cricket, do we?"

Again -- Curt Clausen -- first US-born man to medal in a distance event in world champs/olympics for a long time when he took bronze in 50K at 1999 worlds.

I could be wrong about this -- but I think the last time was 84?

I know that was 9 years ago -- and there has been a weaker turn for the US in walking since then... still, a great thing for the sport of TRACK AND FIELD in the US

Usher wrote:

If racewalking is so easy that a non-athlete could excel at it, learn how to do it and represent the USA at the Olympics and World Championships. According to some of you people, that should be no problem at all.

I have no desire to see how fast I can't run...I mean how fast I can walk. Besides, even if I were a "world class" walker and earned a MEDAL (how's that, Spelly), I would be embarrassed about it and always feel like I would need to explain why I actually deserved it.

"and earned a MEDAL (how's that, Spelly)"

congrats on finishing 2nd grade!

The post before yours was nearly 4 hours earlier. That would have pushed the thread off the board. You ran a search for race walking, simply to troll the site.

Blaze

Usher wrote:

If racewalking is so easy that a non-athlete could excel at it, learn how to do it and represent the USA at the Olympics and World Championships. According to some of you people, that should be no problem at all.

One more thing...I never said that walking was easy. I just said it is not Olympic worthy. Sword swallowing is difficult, but not Olympic worthy. Chucking kegs over a brick wall is difficult, but not Olympic worthy. Playing chess is difficult, but not Olympic worthy. You get my point.

Nice...rip a guy for a few typos rather than defend what I offered up as legitimate reasons against walking. Add this to the list of reasons why runners hate walkers.

Usher wrote:

If racewalking is so easy that a non-athlete could excel at it, learn how to do it and represent the USA at the Olympics and World Championships. According to some of you people, that should be no problem at all.

Ummmmm........We're runners, were not gonna wasste our time with that crap, but check the OP, Does she count?

So let me get this straight, because someone doesn't like your sport they are a**holes. I suppose you want to tell me who to vote for too?

you & your racewalking buddies have done nothing to refute the arguments that people have made here. The usual letsrun spellchecking notwithstanding, all that's occurred is a bunch of personal attacks and a some Oprah-style bs about women over 40 competing.

It's clear that racewalking is something that people do because they aren't good enough to be competitive in running. It's also a sport with a huge subjective element. If you watch any major competition, it's clear that the rules are broken all of the time and enforcement is selective.

Then there's aesthetics. Just look at anyone in the act of racewalking and compare that to an equivalent class runner. Enough said...

If you've found something that works for you and keeps you fit then I'm happy for you. I just don't consider it an Olympic caliber sport and I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass. So stop looking for a pat on the back racewalkers!

Legitimate reasons against walking?

Dude -

I'm not asking you to do it ... and I actually think there are a lot of d-bags in the walking community, a big part of the reason I'm no longer part of it ... but seriously, you are kind of pathetic with your postings here.... you are coming off as ignorant,

I really think you might need to get some therapy -- work through some issues -- and some remedial grammar and spelling classes would be helpful too...

All the best!

[quote]Ranger Texas Walker wrote:

Sword swallowing is difficult, but not Olympic worthy./quote]

Can we leave people's sexual orientation out of the discussion?

Even the announcers don't take it seriously

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2urNVmKnEaQ&feature=related

15 seconds in...

"A consumate display of brilliant running...ahm walking"

I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE COME TO A GENERAL CONCENSUS.

if youre a racewalker that's fine and what you do is your own business... but dont try to defend it as an actual competetive sport that "is harder than running." people racewalk because they are physically uncapable to run (too old or bad joints etc.) or they are just huge puss!es and only racewalk because there is virually no competition in the sport.

bashing runners for running slow 5k road races is complete crap. they are putting themselves out there and competing with a WAY more competitive and athletic group of people than any racewalker is.

and claiming that you can walk or run faster than somebody that runs is also horsesh!t because there are only 2 possible reasons why you walk in the first place.

1. you are too old or your body is too beat up to run

2. you are too slow and too much of a b!tch to even

attempt to compete against real athletes

to sum it all up... "competitive racewalking" is kind of like joining the special olympics to beat bunch of handicapped people

I have just made a decision to be a racewalker. Honestly. I went to the racewalk.com (the #1 source for walking in America) and read the rules, about the technique, and how to properly train. I plan on going to the local track tonight and timing myself for a 1600m to see what my baseline is. I am planning to train this spring and summer and do some races in late summer/early fall to show everyone what an average (at best) runner can do. Why not, I am a few years past my prime and have already switched to triathlon because I can't stand to see myself waste away at running. I predict that I will do VERY well. I will even post my running PRs to show everyone where I am coming from:

800m: 1:58

Mile: 4:14

3k Steeple: 9:30

5k: 15:30

10k: 32:30

Marathon: 2:52.52

So, all you walkers...look out because you have some new competition. I will earmark this thread and will post my walking times when I race. Then, we can have an open discussion about whether walking should be an Olympic sport.

Dude... that is great news!

Let me know if I can help you with technique and training plans!

Ranger Texas Walker wrote:

Then, we can have an open discussion about whether walking should be an Olympic sport.

That's great that you are going to try racewalking. Good luck!

But, there is no debate, racewalking is already in the Olympics, we aren't goin gto have it eliminated just by talking on here about it.

Can you people please stop using the word ATHLETE and the word RACEWALKING in the same sentence?

Thank you

But racewalkers are athletes, why can't they be put together in the same sentence?