At What Point Did You Give Up On Your Dream Of Being A Great Runner?

kslskk wrote:

Man everyone in this thread is weak and dumb.

Yeah, people are so weak because they can't handle 120 mile weeks and can't break 15 minutes for the 5K. Studs like you are so tough that you can rock out 53 second quarters after doing your 18 mile long run.

Real men like you run 13:30 after a year of running 30 miles per week with no workouts.

You're the one making a far-fetched statement. If you are going to make a national team in a non-sit-and-kick race, you are going to need to go way under 28.

Thanks, webfoot. I will take your advice and ignore ksosi. He's obviously an idiot troll, probably 40 years old, single, still living in his mother's basement, and unemployed. Gets his jollies out of anonymously calling strangers "weak" when he's as weak as one can be. Great criticism, that - "weak" LOL. We can all see who the weak one is.

Thanks again webfoot, sorry to hear injuries forced you out, I was lucky to never have to deal much with injury.

-prefan

At some point, one can re invent oneself. Change the distance or mode of training. As a 49 year old, these past few years have been dedicated to lifting and speed work. With some added distance now I hope to come close to the age graded P.R.s in my event, the 5000meters.

At the end of the day, I chose to do what gives me a sense of purpose and enjoy the process of shaping my performances. If one loves the process, it can be as fun, or even more fun than in one's prime age.

When I got injured. But I had already realized that there is way more to life than the chronic, narcissistic obsession that running can become. You can still run at a high level and not have all your eggs in one basket. If you are invested in running as your sole identity, you are in for a big surprise. However, there's nothing wrong, if showing promise in college, to train through one Olympic cycle, maybe due grad school in the process.

I find this post very interesting. I was such a poor, physically underdeveloped runner in high school that I was completely disabused of the notion of ever making anything of it right from the start. When I returned to the sport in my twenties, I suppose I rose to the level of \"respectable.\" In hindsight, as much as I wanted to improve as an amateur, I feel fortunate I never had to make a decision between trying to chase a dream and facing a career as a manager in a running shoe store, or giving it up and having a more fulfilling work life.

What I find interesting in this post is that the gentleman doesn\'t see his decision in terms of his work life, but in the effect his training is having on his social life. I\'d guess that in that regard, if that\'s all he\'s giving up, he\'s not missing much by continuing to chase his dream. Night life is highly overrated. I can tell the OP is discouraged. It\'s a tough, unforgiving sport fraught with frustrations. No one can say how long to keep after it; it\'s a personal decision. All I can say is that if you are only giving up the party life, you aren\'t giving up much. I wish you all the best.

Running dreams? Forget that! My dream now is to have one night with Beyoncé and a case of Cool Whip. I'd be eating that blackberry cobbler all night long. Whatever Cool Whip was left over I would donate to the local food bank.

Hey Shattered Dreams, adjust your dream to what you can do this yea--if you want it bad enough. Then think it over.

Me, I ran 4:21.9 mile at 18, but improved only to a 4:01.0 1500 by age 21. I was (happily) focused elsewhere and had to admit it.

Now it's 35 years later. I ran 10 miles in the mountains with a pal yesterday and enjoy it as much as ever, so the dream survives on it's own terms.

aquafina wrote:

I was in college in the late 80's. When I started to see guy regularly go under 13 I realized they were in a different universe than me.

I realized that we were barely even doing the same sport.

Ha! Same for me. It was the early 90's. Watched 10 or more go under 28 minutes on the track in Vancouver. Ed Eyestone and some Mexicans were in the top 3. 66 seconds per lap looked so effortless.

aquafina wrote:

I was in college in the late 80's. When I started to see guy regularly go under 13 I realized they were in a different universe than me.

I realized that we were barely even doing the same sport.

You didn't see guys go under 13 regularly in the late 80s.

Wow, just . . . wow wrote:

overwhelmed wrote:

The day I discovered this web site.

Same here; and not just running, but life in general. I ran 14:30 for the 5000, have a 130 IQ, make 175,000/year, and have a fairly attractive wife. I just can't put up with the studs here.

175k/130/14:30/fairly attractive? Wow is right my friend, because that is embarrassing as hell. My splits: 375K/140IQ/13:38/swimsuit model wife x 2. Try again next time

Dick Dietrich Jr. wrote:

Wow, just . . . wow wrote:

Same here; and not just running, but life in general. I ran 14:30 for the 5000, have a 130 IQ, make 175,000/year, and have a fairly attractive wife. I just can't put up with the studs here.

175k/130/14:30/fairly attractive? Wow is right my friend, because that is embarrassing as hell. My splits: 375K/140IQ/13:38/swimsuit model wife x 2. Try again next time

I just focked your wife. I win.

prefan wrote:

(and former 8:43 HS 2-miler, there's a hint)

8:44.0

Good catch, Details, but you're not quite exactly right either. The exact time was 8:44.03. I'll give you the catch though. You were closer than me. Good one !

When I gained 50lbs and turned 40 yrs old.

I'll never give up. Why? In addition to the love you take with you when you die (like The Swayze said), you also take your developing talents. Next body, you get to pick up where you left off, if you want. So, remember you always reap what you sow. Never stop sowing consciously. It might take a few lifetimes, but you'll reap and manifest your dream. Get creating. Here and now. The only place you can ever be, and the only time you ever are. Forever.

Shattered Dreams wrote:

I'm going through a rough time right now. I can never get in consistent boughts of healthy training. Running goes really well and then I get sick (all too often) or injured. I'm at the point where I'm asking myself if it's worth putting in all this time and effort while missing out on social events (ie. parties, going out late with friends, seeing girls, etc) for the not so great results I've had. I'm curious as to what was the breaking point for most letsruners? When did you give up on your dreams of being a great runner?

The day college ended.

Still haven't.

It seems the definition of “great runner” varies greatly. I think the OP is referring to that time period when your ultimate outcome is uncertain, when, you actually may have some potential to be a nationally ranked runner.

As a sophomore in college I was winning almost every regional 5K I entered. I became a bit of a cocky jerk. Then, early in my junior year, despite running a 5K PR in my first national meet, I finished 12th, nearly being lapped. That was a big slice of humble pie and a bigger wake up call, realizing I just was not in THAT league. And, realistically, never would be. I did the ole cost-vs.-benefit analysis and realized my time was better spent getting a life: wife, kids, and career. And, of course, I can still run for fun and health. But I’ll never delude myself into believing I was or will be a “great runner”, even with age-grading.