Did the Penguin ruin the sport of running?

the dude abides wrote:

I wear sunglasses quite often when the sun isn't out for a couple reasons:

1) the glare from the sunlight hitting the clouds, sidewalks and roads actually makes it very bright and irritating to my eyes, despite the fact there isn't "direct sunlight in my eyes"

2) the sun never sets on a badass

Go wash the sand out of your vag, tough guy.

I don't think he ruined it. But only because the people who are legitimately fast, and who have talent are not turning to Bingham for running advice.

Bingham is for the 40's housewife who's kids have left for college and has decided to get back in shape.

And you wouldn't go play in the Super Bowl or the Rose Bowl or even the local D3 conference championship if they let you pay $140 to do so, would you? Encouraging people to enter races without instilling them with a competitor's mindset (to prepare their best to get the best possible performance out of themselves on race day) is the issue, and the Penguin may not have started it but he sure as hell is making a living from keeping that phenomenon alive and well.

Nerds, dorks, and pussies all.

o.O wrote:

Does it really matter what the man next to you is wearing when he runs, unless he is a complete eyesore, it doesn't at all effect you in the least, many people wear sunglasses to act as a windshield rather than a sunblock. People use a garmin to accurately measure out their runs. People wear hats to keep their hair out of their eyes.

quote]Red Glare wrote:

Go wash the sand out of your vag, tough guy.[/quote]

God forbid I don't feel like squinting for 2 hours while I'm running. Grow a brain, high schooler.

the dude abides wrote:

quote]Red Glare wrote:

Go wash the sand out of your vag, tough guy.

God forbid I don't feel like squinting for 2 hours while I'm running. Grow a brain, high schooler.[/quote]

Yeah, that saying isn't even in the right context, red bitch. So...you're an idiot.

Most amusing debate.

Don't like the company??? Go hammer a solo 20 on some insolated backroad. Reward your self with an unwitnessed skinny dip in the lake at trails end.Preen the purist you are at heart.

Getting lonesome after a summer of that??

Enter a race! WOW these people are really geeks. Outrageous diversity;-fat, slow,jewel bedecked,cotton wearing slobs all inclusive. Who tf took their entrance fee.?? Man, I'm the dude,"what on earth are these slugs doing littering up my course"??

Wait a minute, say what? Who's here?? Solinsky and a bunch of dudes from Madison going to bust the course record".

Crap!! Where can I crawl under a rock?? I'm gonna get my ass handed to me in a tin can today.

People!! It's a spectrum. Hang around the sport long enough and watch how you're position on it changes.

At the end of the day, I can't help but think that the folks out there spending money on marathons, marathon gear, and visiting Lets Run . Com drive the industry and bank roll training groups like NIKE and Hansons.

I wonder if they America be enjoying the same turn around with distance running without them?

My problem with the slow pokes (walkers) is how they often are allowed early starts for marathons. Then, we runners have to spend 2-3 miles running around them while they walk 2 or 3 abreast just chatting away. They treat it like a social event and the rest of us treat it as a competition or at least, a personal challenge.

Again, this is kind of petty. But waiting around for an awards ceremony for a 5k while every last 60 minute finisher comes in is a real drag. Why even time people that slow? Why make the majority of us wait around while they lollygag around? I know it's to beef up entry fee revenue and race organizers have no choice.

I think Bingham has contributed to this "finish no matter how long it takes" syndrome. It's not really harmful, just a bit annoying to the rest of us.

Right, it's just so irritating!! Boo-hoo-hoo! Save your whines for mommy, princess.

the dude abides wrote:

quote]Red Glare wrote:

Go wash the sand out of your vag, tough guy.

God forbid I don't feel like squinting for 2 hours while I'm running. Grow a brain, high schooler.[/quote]

Nope, you got it wrong, douchebag. Try again when you're ready to bring something real.

really wrote:

the dude abides wrote:

quote]Red Glare wrote:

Go wash the sand out of your vag, tough guy.

God forbid I don't feel like squinting for 2 hours while I'm running. Grow a brain, high schooler.

Yeah, that saying isn't even in the right context, red bitch. So...you're an idiot.[/quote]

going back to the original topic, it's just the nice-guy tendencies that are present today. nobody's going to get mad at or be an ass to a person who's trying to run their first 5K (or marathon) and sucks at it, because it's a healthy, beneficial thing to do. the penguin guy kind of sticks up for them. i hate his articles, but there's nothing wrong with slow people running in races. even so, the slow people will always be a joke to the fast people no matter what "the penguin" writes

bladerunner wrote:

I know it's to beef up entry fee revenue and race organizers have no choice.

Sure they don't. I bet if they shut down the course for a 5k after 30 minutes instead of 60 that their costs for closing the roads (permit, cops, etc.) would be a hell of a lot less, enough to more than make up for a little bit less income from entry fees.

qazxswedc wrote:

there's nothing wrong with slow people running in races.

Would you also say that there's nothing wrong with F students or even D students in school? That there's nothing wrong with 150+ average golfers entering tournaments? That there's nothing wrong with people who can't dribble sufficiently and can't make a lay up entering competitive basketball leagues? Why is it that running has become the ONLY sport where it's okay to be inclusive of all those who are doing the least possible to put forth their best efforts? That's not about sport, it's about luring people in to get into their wallets. Why aren't we first and foremost about inspiring people to do their best and holding them to any respectable standard at all? Instead of rewarding excellence, we've become about rewarding mediocrity and simply showing up. It's just nauseatingly pathetic. No, of course they aren't "in your way" and their appearance isn't what ticks us off. We should be and are all for tolerating the presence of genuine supporters of the sport, but why make special accommodations for them but not for those whose performances merit it more? Is it about rewarding excellence or pandering to money? Why should the latter be what's driving our sport, or any other?

Actually, a few of the larger road races in my home town have two divisions - competitive and non-competitive. Competitive runners finish in one chute, non competitive runners finish in another where they aren't officially timed (although there is a clock set up so they can see their time when they cross the finish line). For the most part it works great, and most people sign up for the division that is most appropriate for their ability. It also seems to speed up the results process.

bladerunner wrote:

My problem with the slow pokes (walkers) is how they often are allowed early starts for marathons. Then, we runners have to spend 2-3 miles running around them while they walk 2 or 3 abreast just chatting away. They treat it like a social event and the rest of us treat it as a competition or at least, a personal challenge.

Again, this is kind of petty. But waiting around for an awards ceremony for a 5k while every last 60 minute finisher comes in is a real drag. Why even time people that slow? Why make the majority of us wait around while they lollygag around? I know it's to beef up entry fee revenue and race organizers have no choice.

I think Bingham has contributed to this "finish no matter how long it takes" syndrome. It's not really harmful, just a bit annoying to the rest of us.

As previously stated, it is much healthier, and generates revenue so these races can actually occur. Very simple, actually. I never said i liked slow runners, but it's really their choice whether they want to run or not.

[quote]Red Glare wrote:

Right, it's just so irritating!! Boo-hoo-hoo! Save your whines for mommy, princess.[quote]

wow, you're such a loser. you're so tough sitting behind your computer screen! Everybody's got balls on the internet. I bet your boyfriend likes your fake toughness while you give him a BJ, doesn't he?

Red Glare wrote:

Nope, you got it wrong, douchebag. Try again when you're ready to bring something real.

Something real? you're quoting a line from a tv show and you aren't even using it in the right set up. Besides...it wasn't even funny. So again...you're an idiot.

Don't even bother responding, I'm not going to acknowledge your existence since you clearly aren't worth it.

Thats amazing! Where is this? Post some links please.