I, a 45 year old hobby jogging man, feel increasingly silly for being a runner

Time to grow up.

1/10

an old man wrote: I know they think I'm a weirdo.

If you were really 45 you wouldn't care (or notice) that kids thought you were "a weirdo".

Man Overboard wrote:

1/10

an old man wrote: I know they think I'm a weirdo.

If you were really 45 you wouldn't care (or notice) that kids thought you were "a weirdo".

Yep. I'm guessing the OP is a high school kid still burning over getting out kicked by an old man.

an old man wrote:

. I'm still competitive in a local hobby jogger kind of way, and this leaves me feeling increasingly foolish. .

Wait a moment.

still competitive/ increasingly foolish?

That combination has never occurred to any man in history, so it's a 0/10

old gal wrote:

an old man wrote:

. I'm still competitive in a local hobby jogger kind of way, and this leaves me feeling increasingly foolish. .

Wait a moment.

still competitive/ increasingly foolish?

That combination has never occurred to any man in history, so it's a 0/10

Actually I think it sums up LetsRun pretty well :D

I, a 52-year-old man, feel this pain.

I ran as part of a semi-famous track club in 1977, ran my first road race in 1979, won state races in high school, scored points running for a D1 school, won road races as a drunk after, and had/have success in age group stuff and as a masters runner now. I've had periods where I didn't run much, ran too much, ran marathons when I shouldn't, and ran all-comers track meets just because.

And ever since maybe my mid-30s, I realized I was the weirdo I didn't like around me when I was in high school trying to win a road race, and some creepy old guy with sunglasses who didn't talk much was running away from me. I realized I'd reach the age where I didn't care, and I'm certainly there. But even though I don't care, it does bother me that I'm even WORSE than I was ~15 years ago. I mean, I'm trying to out kick the kids that those high school guys have now, at the Thanksgiving Day World Championships.

What is the point? I have no issue running most days in longish shorts and dad (running) shoes, but I look absolutely absurd when I show up at some dumb 5K in the shoes that almost went sub-2, and run 7 minute miles.

There's grizzly old tough guy, and there's weirdo who can't let it go. I definitely fear I'm more the weirdo.

Someday, a photo like this will make Rupp look, well, like this;

https://mgtvwfla.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/ap_9502250328.jpg?w=993

Dlopis wrote:

I look absolutely absurd when I show up at some dumb 5K in the shoes that almost went sub-2, and run 7 minute miles.

I speak for both old and young gals when I say that the shoes aint the problem, pal

I really wish I was trolling here. IAnd it's not so much that others view me as a weirdo, it's that I think I'm a weirdo. Like I can't let go. Imagine if an old football player was still going around jumping in pick up games full of guys half his age...and he did this every weekend.

So I really do feel foolish for continuing to run and race. Yet I truly do love it. It's a weird love-hate thing. I love it, but I hate the fact that I love it.

Seriously, if you must do this sort of stuff, drop some cash and start cycling. For some reason I can't understand, this sort of behavior is celebrated if you race bikes. Not so much if you race by running.

And don't worry if riding a bike or racing a bike is beyond your wheelhouse. Nearly all the old guys out there doing that have no idea what they're doing. Grab a Craigslist bike, a helmet, 'kit' and shoes at your local bike shop. You'll be in it for $1K to as much as you want to spend, but you'll get over this weirdo thing right away. Just the way it is.

FFF wrote:

Seriously, if you must do this sort of stuff, drop some cash and start cycling. For some reason I can't understand, this sort of behavior is celebrated if you race bikes. Not so much if you race by running.

And don't worry if riding a bike or racing a bike is beyond your wheelhouse. Nearly all the old guys out there doing that have no idea what they're doing. Grab a Craigslist bike, a helmet, 'kit' and shoes at your local bike shop. You'll be in it for $1K to as much as you want to spend, but you'll get over this weirdo thing right away. Just the way it is.

This is 100% correct, or better yet get into nordic ski racing if you live somewhere with snow and a racing scene (hell of a lot more friendly than the cycling scene...).

The problem with running is the barrier to entry is so low; any tub of lard/dorky kid/ etc can just show up and get a participant ribbon, and it's been a trend for a LONG time that anyone appearing to 'try hard' is regarded as a weirdo. Bigger barrier to entry (cost, having to learn how to ride in a pack, technique, etc) attracts a little different crew and all of a sudden you don't have to worry about it. Give it a try!

I felt this today, totally outrunning the young studs at the soccerfield, attacking, defending, dominating just because of some aero benefits, they sighted in relief (wtf just happened??) when I left the field due to a slight injury in my ribs. Not sure if I will return anytime soon.

I am 58 by the way.

Enjoy it while you can.. running was taking away from me with one fateful slip on the ice.

Mid 50’s here and I couldn’t run fast if they all chased me, but I don’t feel stupid running races because I’m fighting to get in better shape and to live longer! Who cares what they think. I’m having fun and feeling atleast a little sense of accomplishment.

Oh almost forgot, i do feel inadequate when a local guy in his 80’s here in the city finishes with a better time than mine. If he gets a little slower and i get slightly faster, i’ll finish ahead of him finally!

Old hobby jogger wrote:

Oh almost forgot, i do feel inadequate when a local guy in his 80’s here in the city finishes with a better time than mine. If he gets a little slower and i get slightly faster, i’ll finish ahead of him finally!

We all have that 25 years older than us guy we want to beat!

At 66, running has given more to me than I can account for. To quote from Scott Jurek’s new book, “.....it’s what I do, it’s who I am.” Age has nothing to do w/it.

Dlopis wrote:

Someday, a photo like this will make Rupp look, well, like this;

https://i.imgur.com/on2Ut4e.jpg

And then some clown crashes the party.

ldjdjfkgfddd wrote:

Man Overboard wrote:

1/10

If you were really 45 you wouldn't care (or notice) that kids thought you were "a weirdo".

Yep. I'm guessing the OP is a high school kid still burning over getting out kicked by an old man.

If OP cared what people thought he would never have started running in the first place. Weird is from Day 1, not 20+ years.