At what age is it pathetic to make running the primary focus of your life?

HRE wrote:

Zooming to the zenith wrote:

I don't think the true elites are pathetic, although I do t worship them like I used to. The ones that make me cringe are the random 29:00 5k guys who screw over their coworkers by leaving at 5:00:00 PM to get in their oh so precious workout!

Isn't 5:00:00 PM usually the end of the workday? How are they screwing co-workers by going for a run after work?

For grown ups, the workday ends when the work is done, not when the clock hits some arbitrary number. Sadly a lot of adults never catch on to this and continue to behave like teenagers working in a pizza shop. And then, as if that wasn't rich enough already, they usually complain about how it's not fair that some people went further in their careers and get paid more money. Must be their "connections."

If it's truly urgent work you probably should stick around and do it, But that should be the exception. If a job where the work day is supposed to end at 5:00 routinely has "urgent" work requiring employees to stay after they were supposed to have gone home the place is understaffed and the people routinely extending their workdays are screwing themselves by not standing up for themselves. More power to workers who are able to set boundaries between their work life and the rest of their lives. Work is supposed to support the rest of your life and not vice versa.

John Clendon wrote:

Conundrum wrote:

Looking back to this time 5 years from now you might feel different. Your running PRs, the number of times your got laid or drunk, might not be as important as your grad school, assistantship paying for grad school, and your career. You might wish your third priority had been your first.

I know you don't want to hear that and you are ticked off at me for writing it. But, its good advice.

5 years out from college and looking back....nope, don't feel any different.

It's fine that you feel this way, but making running your #1 priority in college was indeed pathetic.

43

Zooming to the zenith wrote:

Of course, I'd grant an exception for anyone who is a professional runner or coach. Otherwise, I'd say the cutoff is 24, which is to say you get a year or two after college to realize that no one cares anymore.

Question is worthless without PRs.

If you're a 13:00 guy and it's your main focus at age 30, that's kind of ok.

If you're a 16:00 guy and it's your main focus at age 30, that's less ok.

Lagat=pathetic wrote:

Zooming to the zenith wrote:

Of course, I'd grant an exception for anyone who is a professional runner or coach. Otherwise, I'd say the cutoff is 24, which is to say you get a year or two after college to realize that no one cares anymore.

Question is worthless without PRs.

If you're a 13:00 guy and it's your main focus at age 30, that's kind of ok.

If you're a 16:00 guy and it's your main focus at age 30, that's less ok.

Nonsense. I think the key is definition of "primary focus."

My wife and I are in our 40s, kids out of the house. I would say our primary focus outside of working and loving is running. We are running a race in all 50 states. We spend a lot of time traveling and running. It's what we enjoy doing. We are typical "hobby joggers" in that qualifying for Boston was cool. We are not "fast" by international standards, however we love what we do.

To me I would say our primary focus is running.

John Clendon wrote:

Conundrum wrote:

With some it might take ten years.

You could play this game all day...

"With some it might take 13 years past their death"

Solid argument.

No game. You said that you are 5 years out of college and having your first priorities during college be running, drinking and getting laid and schooling lower on the list was fine for you.

I merely suggested that for you the realization of what important will come later. For some it may never come.

Lazy alert! wrote:

For grown ups, the workday ends when the work is done, not when the clock hits some arbitrary number. Sadly a lot of adults never catch on to this and continue to behave like teenagers working in a pizza shop. And then, as if that wasn't rich enough already, they usually complain about how it's not fair that some people went further in their careers and get paid more money. Must be their "connections."

I pose this question to everyone that calls dedicating yourself to running pathetic.

What is it that YOU do that isn't pathetic?

Dedicating yourself to the "man" and working 60 hours a week only to know death is coming and money will mean nothing?

Drinking at bars to counter act working for the "man"? Even though it is the same scene, the same feeling, every weekend or weeknight?

For everyone that isn't passionate about improving their running times, what do you do that is high and mighty and not pathetic ?

Great, great, post!

realworldhere wrote:

It is pathetic at any age.

Correct answer.

But just for fun: 0-9, and after 95.

"working for THE MAN"!! Wow I haven't heard that phrase in long time.You present a false dichotomy. You know there are other choices instead either being devoted to running OR "working for the man". Some life choices are quite noble.Would you like some other suggestions?

Conundrum wrote:

"working for THE MAN"!! Wow I haven't heard that phrase in long time.

You present a false dichotomy. You know there are other choices instead either being devoted to running OR "working for the man". Some life choices are quite noble.

Would you like some other suggestions?

John Clendon wrote:

I pose this question to everyone that calls dedicating yourself to running pathetic.

What is it that YOU do that isn't pathetic?

Dedicating yourself to the "man" and working 60 hours a week only to know death is coming and money will mean nothing?

Drinking at bars to counter act working for the "man"? Even though it is the same scene, the same feeling, every weekend or weeknight?

For everyone that isn't passionate about improving their running times, what do you do that is high and mighty and not pathetic ?

Go easy on him...anyone who talks about "the man" is obviously still 20 (at least mentally).

Conundrum wrote:

"working for THE MAN"!! Wow I haven't heard that phrase in long time.

You present a false dichotomy. You know there are other choices instead either being devoted to running OR "working for the man". Some life choices are quite noble.

Would you like some other suggestions?

You haven't provided any suggestions yet. But yes I would like you to provide suggestions that are quite noble. And don't give me "I work at a soup kitchen, dog sit for my neighbor, and only do stuff that benefits others." Because we know that ain't true. We are all selfish and do things for ourselves.

And instead of people criticizing the use of the term "the man", answer my question and lets have a legitimate discussion.

I cut myself off at age 26.

real mans wrote:

Everyone seems to be missing the "primary focus" part.

The answer is after high school. It could be sooner, depending on the individual, but for all but a very select few it would be pathetic to have running as your primary focus after high school.

Why?

Please explain why pursuing running a 5k in 13:00, 16:00 or 19:00 is more "pathetic" than pursuing work, academics, fantasy football dominance or anything else. Try to use an answer than can't be paraphrased to "it's pathetic because people say it's pathetic, and people say it's pathetic because it's pathetic."

:)

realworldhere wrote:

It is pathetic at any age.

Correct answer.

But just for fun: 0-9, and after 95.

John Clendon wrote:

You haven't provided any suggestions yet. But yes I would like you to provide suggestions that are quite noble. And don't give me "I work at a soup kitchen, dog sit for my neighbor, and only do stuff that benefits others." Because we know that ain't true. We are all selfish and do things for ourselves.

And instead of people criticizing the use of the term "the man", answer my question and lets have a legitimate discussion.

I know that I sometimes like to have fun in my responses and I meant no offense to you about your "the man" comment. Yes I agree that we are all selfish but we are also so much more than that too. I don't believe that your primary goals in life are just partying or running fast.

You don't have to be a saint to want to be a good person, to be the best parent, or spouse, or offspring. To want to do a great ethical job at work and provide a good service for people and make a profit for yourself and employer. To think about and act in a way in your life so that those around you will be better. These seem to be more noble goals than partying or running. Believe me, I am not there, so I don't want to sound preachy.

As you get older, trust me, this will be your legacy and will affect how you feel about your life. Not your running PR at 22 or the number of times you partied.

To have running as a big goal is great but there are more important values. I know you know this.

young master wrote:

Why?

Please explain why pursuing running a 5k in 13:00, 16:00 or 19:00 is more "pathetic" than pursuing work, academics, fantasy football dominance or anything else. Try to use an answer than can't be paraphrased to "it's pathetic because people say it's pathetic, and people say it's pathetic because it's pathetic."

:)

Young Master grasshopper,

Read the post above and you shall find the answer to your question about life's meaning.

oh please wrote:

Nonsense. I think the key is definition of "primary focus."

My wife and I are in our 40s, kids out of the house. I would say our primary focus outside of working and loving is running. We are running a race in all 50 states. We spend a lot of time traveling and running. It's what we enjoy doing. We are typical "hobby joggers" in that qualifying for Boston was cool. We are not "fast" by international standards, however we love what we do.

To me I would say our primary focus is running.

Wrong. Your primary focus in life is enjoying something shared with your wife and spending time together accomplishing goals.

Running happens to be the vehicle that allows you to set goals and spend time with your wife.

You can replace running with 1000 other activities.