WSJ article on how we are becoming slower - quotes Reavis and Rojo

Cliff Notes: You think our sport is marketable to the masses, both as a spectator sport and encouraging others to be more competitive. But running doesn't have that appeal and very few care to understand the nuances of the front pack. Let's face it, we're outcast.

vbbcbv wrote:

Cliff Notes: You think our sport is marketable to the masses, both as a spectator sport and encouraging others to be more competitive. But running doesn't have that appeal and very few care to understand the nuances of the front pack. Let's face it, we're outcast.

Good summary. I would also say that part of the reason running doesn't have that appeal is that we who do understand and enjoy the nuance of the front pack don't make enough of an effort to make it accessible. We accept our outcast status and even take pride in it too readily. You're right though, mostly wishful thinking on my part.

I like how the article whines that we haven't won an Olympic marathon medal since 2004 as if that's a long time. If I can count right, there were only two Olympic marathons since then. The list of countries that didn't get one of the 12 available medals between Beijing and London would contain a few more countriest han just us, I would think...

Pointing out the Obvious wrote:

So, I would suggest that you rethink your fundamental mental construct regarding who is "Us" and who is "Them"?

Based upon your comment I would suggest that "Us" should be 'reasonably positive, respectful participants' while "Them" should A-holes.

Don't join the fast A-holes just because there are some slow A-holes. Instead, add your name to the ranks of the fast reasonably positive, respectful participants.

I don't think I have to "rethink: my fundamental mental construct regarding who is "Us" and who is "Them."

"Slow" runners who are trying to run as fast as they can during a race is part of "Us" as far as I am concerned. After all, I am "slow" compared to people ahead of me.

For me, "them" are people who brag about how they don't care about their time and placement because they are unselfish and friendly. They even refuse to acknowledge that time and placement matter to other people, or insinuate that those who care are "egocentric" and "narcissistic." (Hence my HN here.)

gahuga wrote:

I like how the article whines that we haven't won an Olympic marathon medal since 2004 as if that's a long time. If I can count right, there were only two Olympic marathons since then. The list of countries that didn't get one of the 12 available medals between Beijing and London would contain a few more countriest han just us, I would think...

Yes, that's really not a fair point. In that span, the US has won a 10,000m bronze and 1500m silver medal. And Americans took 4th in both the 1500m final and the marathon. The US is right there after East Africa.

Japan's only Olympic track and field medal during that time span has been Murofushi's. Meanwhile, 33 people broke 63 minutes at the Marugame Half Marathon in February, 28 of them Japanese.

Narcissitic Egocentrist wrote:

I don't think I have to "rethink: my fundamental mental construct regarding who is "Us" and who is "Them."

"Slow" runners who are trying to run as fast as they can during a race is part of "Us" as far as I am concerned. After all, I am "slow" compared to people ahead of me.

For me, "them" are people who brag about how they don't care about their time and placement because they are unselfish and friendly. They even refuse to acknowledge that time and placement matter to other people, or insinuate that those who care are "egocentric" and "narcissistic." (Hence my HN here.)

What kind of runners are you hanging around with? I have been running competitively for almost 20 years, and I have never once encountered the bolded behavior. Okay, I know people who don't care about their place and time (or may notice their time as a curiosity only), but I have never been accused of being egocentric or anything similar because I care about my place and time.

All I can say is that you should be choosing your races wisely. I don't "hang around" those people, but they show up in races anyway. And the bigger races tend to attract worse people.