Run a 3:30 marathon

Hell, I sucked too. When I used to "run", I only managed to run mid 14's for 5k and mid 30's for 10k. Those times are not something to write home about. Running 4:whatever for the marathon is an embarrassment and should never be labeled "running" a marathon. There can be no debate about that. However, my advice for him to improve is sound and is right. There is no quick fix to his problem. He must be patient and be willing to train for a couple of years. After he trains for a couple of years (following my advice), he will be a respectable (even to me) jogger (note: jogger not runner...I too am a jogger, so I mean no offense with such label; I only mean to be accurate).People want the quick and easy fix. Guess what...there is no quick and easy fix. You improve as a runner over a long period of time. If you want to improve from 4:whatever to sub 3:30, you need to fix a whole lot (especially when the person "running" a 4:whatever is "running" 60 miles a week). Give up running a marathon for a year and concentrate on the basics. Improve your "speed" (my proposal for this guy hardly calls for improving speed as we ordinarily use the term). Learn to run a faster pace over a decent distance. Then increase your distance. This is a very simple approach and guaranteed to work, provided, you have the patience to strictly adhere to the approach. If you need to gallowalk one or pretend to be a runner in the name of charity, then you will forever suck. If you want to join the ranks of people who "run" a marathon, follow my approach and you shall succeed.

JEH wrote:

No, Never was, we've gone over this... you may not be the fastest of the bunch but you don't suck.

Anyone who wants to get faster = don't suck

You mean to tell me you're going to agree with wttbb over me... tsk tsk. Maybe you should ask wttbb to give his training regimen / times so that someone who "doesn't suck" can tell him that his first problem is that he just hasn't developed his speed yet, etc. etc.

Anyway, I figured your reasoning for the initial self-depreciating comments was just as you clarified.

Proof that my approach works. 20 years of base helps sure. But so would 5. Let me ask you this, would you attempt a calculus problem without know how to add? Why in the world would you try to run a marathon an hour faster when you're clearly lacking any basic speed? Basics first...fundamentals. Our sport is no different than others in that regard. You can't excel in an advanced category when you haven't mastered the basics.

Wttbb:

Youngster, go away please. It is apparent that you are some college kid in between classes who has no self-esteem and may not even be half the runner he thinks he is. Pick up a couple of motivational books on how to treat others before posting back......better yet go to another forum for kiddos like DyeStat.

I may be too direct and to the point much of the time, but you don't kick a man down who is trying!

Thonger would be more of an appropriate term to describe someone as soft and sensitive as you.I am not kicking him while he is down. The first step to recovering from alcoholism is to admit that you are an alcoholic. Similarly, the first step to recovering for slugness is to admit that you are a slug. Never was admitted that; I echoed his sentiment. He realizes he is slow; someone (named "Greg") said, oh no...no you're not. The "suck" comments of mine were really directed at Greg whose apparent blindness helps no one.I have offered very useful and accurate advice. Should Never Was choose not to take heed of my words, not only will he be a "Never Was" but he also will be a "Never Will Be". My words are the truth and only ring as loud as the reflection of reality.

Thoner wrote:

Wttbb:

Youngster, go away please. It is apparent that you are some college kid in between classes who has no self-esteem and may not even be half the runner he thinks he is. Pick up a couple of motivational books on how to treat others before posting back......better yet go to another forum for kiddos like DyeStat.

I may be too direct and to the point much of the time, but you don't kick a man down who is trying!

man, that has to be the worst mixed metaphor of all time.

Wttbb, BOY, DOWN YONDER IN ARKYSAW WHERE I AM FROM......YOU WOULD LAST NO TIME AS I WOULD KICK YOUR AS....PIP SQUEAK! HEE HAW!

Thoner, don't you know how he Wttbb is? None other than the famous PBK, (also known as Ulysses_Evert_McGill, also known as Quince). He's in the idiot hall of fame on this message board.

"Never Was" do not bother listening to him. He is a well known troll here

Wttbb = 24 years old, put on twenty after college, still not getting any, still sucks.

Furthering your alcoholic analogy...

Maybe I am mistaken, but isn't acceptance given to those who concede/admit their alcoholism? The guy runs 18:30 for 5K and 4:xx for the marathon (and said he was ashamed to admit it). It seems to me like he is fully aware that there is room for improvement (or a new approach may be called for) without your inciteful disdain.

Some of what you said was OK, but if your beef is with Greg, why criticize Never Was? Or, if you want Never Was to succeed in his goals (as you have implied above), do you think that it is healthy to reiterate the message of "you suck" as many times as possible?

Portland Runner:It is quite unfortunate that you feel the necessity to personally attack me because I spoke quite candidly in response to Never Was's question. Dispute my advice if you care too. Dispute my agreement with his own words on his current status as a "runner". Slanderous comments directed at my person, however, seem to be out of context and uncalled for.But I am not offended; instead, I am slightly amused at the hypocrisy implicit in your statement. Maybe the reflection must shine more brightly for you to understand and appreciate the truth of reality.

Portland Runner wrote:

Wttbb = 24 years old, put on twenty after college, still not getting any, still sucks.

Thanks. Again, I'm not disagreeing with him, just wondering why he had to again tell me what I already know. I will get better though, because now at age 40 I just want to. Mid-life crisis and all.