That's where the money is at.
That's where the money is at.
Precious Roy wrote:
I stopped caring what people standing around the water cooler at work thought about my running a long time ago. And I primarily focus on marathons. Non-runners and the average mid pack runner have no clue what distance road racing is all about. I do not care that people are impressed by the person who is doing the 50 states marathon thing. I do not care that the first question from mid packers after a race is whether I BQ-ed, when the answer is that I crashed and burned, jogged out the last 6 miles and finished in 2:53.
Well, isn't that precious!
outsiderunner wrote:
True, but what I meant was that I have been avoiding such discussions among non-runners.
I know, it's fvcking unimaginable that not everyone knows or cares as deeply about the exact same sh!t as you do! Who would have guessed?
outsiderunner wrote:
I like your approach, sparky.
Seconded.
Church Lady wrote:
Precious Roy wrote:I stopped caring what people standing around the water cooler at work thought about my running a long time ago. And I primarily focus on marathons. Non-runners and the average mid pack runner have no clue what distance road racing is all about. I do not care that people are impressed by the person who is doing the 50 states marathon thing. I do not care that the first question from mid packers after a race is whether I BQ-ed, when the answer is that I crashed and burned, jogged out the last 6 miles and finished in 2:53.
Well, isn't that precious!
Marathon = poor man's Everest.
Why do you think Caroline Wozniacki is doing one?
Anyone can run a 5k. A real'thon is for MEN.
Agreed. I'm thinking about a thong just to prove my manhood.
Outsiderunner, there was time, not too long ago, when I was in the same boat as you. I ran 10k's and a half marathon as fast as I could, and I was very pleased with myself. When people would inquire about my running, the subject would always turn to the marathon, and they would relate to me stories of their friend "so and so" who's run all kinds of marathons.
I seethed internally, frustrated by the knowledge that their friend was most likely walking their way through the marathon, fat and sassy, maybe even while drinking beer and dancing to the music, and making me look like a chump.
It is true. It's this insecurity that led to my first marathon. At the time, I didn't understand what the "big deal" with the marathon was. I wanted to finish a marathon and shut those fools up, once and for all. I did not respect the marathon. I thought that at pace x:xx, I could run forever.
Well, I'm here to tell you that I learned a bit about myself during my first marathon. I learned what it feels like to completely deplete your body of energy yet still have 3 miles to go. It's an agony that is difficult to describe without any frame of reference. I have to laugh at myself for thinking that I had "run on tired legs plenty of times" before running the marathon.
There is something truly unique about the marathon, and if you prepare properly, maybe you will never experience it in quite that way, but I can assure you that if you give it your all, you will struggle to walk from the finish line. It truly is an accomplishment to give it your all in the marathon.
If you really are a runner, then you owe it to yourself to experience those feelings.
And then, when someone tells you about their friend "so and so" who ran the marathon, you can respond in kind with your own war stories.
OldSub4h wrote:
Anyone can run a 5k. A real'thon is for MEN.
40+ men trying to prove they're still virile and 35+ women in the last chance saloon.
Wow, have you hit the nail on the head here:
Exthoneration wrote:
Outsiderunner, there was time, not too long ago, when I was in the same boat as you. I ran 10k's and a half marathon as fast as I could, and I was very pleased with myself. When people would inquire about my running, the subject would always turn to the marathon, and they would relate to me stories of their friend "so and so" who's run all kinds of marathons.
I seethed internally, frustrated by the knowledge that their friend was most likely walking their way through the marathon, fat and sassy, maybe even while drinking beer and dancing to the music, and making me look like a chump.
And here, too:
"I wanted to finish a marathon and shut those fools up, once and for all"
This is what I feel, but, in no way, does it come from a lack of respect for the marathon. I do not now, and have never, had anything but respect for the marathon. It is a true test of will, courage, fitness. Overall, I am just tired of hearing the comments you describe. I have stayed away from the marathon precisely because I understand what it does to the body. I want to keep running, and do not want to jeopardize my running future.
I thank you for sharing your thoughts here.
All that happens is that your legs get more sore than normal and the race lasts longer. There is really nothing epic about one at all.
Thanks for the perspective, Sacre Bleu. The "unknown" of the marathon is certainly a bit frightful (at least for me).
You should just tell the truth that you are afraid of running that far. Trying to justify your cowardice by running shorter distances at a faster pace will never appease the non-runners who know what the definition of a real runner is.
As for the chump that ran out of fuel with 3 miles to go, he simply ran 4 seconds per mile faster the first 23 than he was capable of completing the entire distance in.
There is NO unknown in the marathon. If you run just a mere 8 seconds faster pace than you should, you will FAIL to keep pace by 20 miles and will never reach the level of adoration you seek from those acquaintances.
You sure about that? If all you dealt with was tired legs, then you didn't leave it all on the course, mate. Try running so hard that you literally cannot stand up anymore. I only lived a couple miles from the start/finish line of my first marathon, but it was a long, long waddle back to the post race celebration from my apartment when I realized the event staff gave me a half marathon finisher's medal by mistake.
Yes, I know what I would put myself through to finish faster than my goal. Yes, I was afraid of tearing muscle tissue to do it. Yes, I knew the chafing would burn if a butterfly flapped its wings...and it did. I developed stress fractures afterward but still raced. It's a rite of passage, bro.
It's the best bang for my buck. I can enter a 5k for $30 and get a $30 minute race, or I can enter a marathon for $100 and get a 300 minute race.
Holiday Inn Expert wrote:
You sure about that? If all you dealt with was tired legs, then you didn't leave it all on the course, mate. Try running so hard that you literally cannot stand up anymore. I only lived a couple miles from the start/finish line of my first marathon, but it was a long, long waddle back to the post race celebration from my apartment when I realized the event staff gave me a half marathon finisher's medal by mistake.
Yes, I know what I would put myself through to finish faster than my goal. Yes, I was afraid of tearing muscle tissue to do it. Yes, I knew the chafing would burn if a butterfly flapped its wings...and it did. I developed stress fractures afterward but still raced. It's a rite of passage, bro.
Sounds more like improper preparation.
As a competitive runner at the shorter distances on the track, it is annoying when people that do not know running dismiss you as a hobby jogger when you tell them you've never done a marathon. You could be a 13 flat 5k guy and they wouldn't get it... Because well, "my friend/brother/girlfriend... etc once ran a marathon!"
That being said, I have an incredible respect for the marathon and those who complete or attempt one, and intend to run one in my lifetime. I have plenty of time to run the marathon, but being in my early 20's, I have plenty of speed to exploit from my legs before upping to the marathon.
Short for the win wrote:
As a competitive runner at the shorter distances on the track, it is annoying when people that do not know running dismiss you as a hobby jogger when you tell them you've never done a marathon. You could be a 13 flat 5k guy and they wouldn't get it... Because well, "my friend/brother/girlfriend... etc once ran a marathon!"
I don't believe that. Most hobby joggers run a 5k in about 30 minutes give or take. You tell them you run it in 15 and they're impressed. I think the correct answer is that they are more puzzled: here is this really good runner and yet he hasn't dedicated himself to the marathon.
I found my first two marathons within a year of starting running really easy. The last 4 have been nightmares.
I don't find them physically painful, emotionally maybe, I'm just tired of running and bored in the last 3 or 4 miles.
The 400m, that's pain!