People don't get why I want to run faster

Correction: each race I race.

I don't race just for fitness, I could achieve that without racing.

I don't get it either, why you want to run faster.

Why?

We are born to compete.

Why does a man spend so much time trying to get good at hitting a little ball into a small hole in as few strikes as possible?

Why do people endure the physically damaging collisions of tackling and blocking just to carry a ball into a designated rectangular area?

That question can be asked if any sport.

I know exactly what you mean OP.

At today's St. Paddy's Days dash, I didn't too well and was passed the last 200 meters by a female Kenyan. At the awards banquet, I was pounding the table in frustration, saying how I was going to train my brains out and pound her in the ground next year.

Keep at it man.

that’s like asking why someone wants to get better at pool, or go cart racing, or horseshoes, or the violin.

The best part of it is the actual process of getting better. If you enjoy the process, self improvement is so much fun!

Think of something your questioner enjoys. Chances are, the reasons they want to improve skill at what they enjoy are similar to your reasons to better your running.

They don't get it wrote:

I am in my 30's and am a runner and a competitor. Much of my spare time is devoted to training and racing. I am not, by racer standards, fast but I work hard to earn PRs and to place higher in each races I race.I

I place close attention to my running progress and always strive to improve.

The other day, my wife asked why it's so important to me to work to run faster. I am guessing other people wonder this too.

I didn't have a good answer.

Yeah, I get the same question from my wife too, sometimes even worse, like "why do you run, why do you want to hurt yourself?" She doesn't get that it's a good hurt and I feel better/stronger physically and mentally after it.

whatever, I don't understand why she shops so much and have given up trying to understand...

They don't get it wrote:

The other day, my wife asked why it's so important to me to work to run faster. I am guessing other people wonder this too.

I didn't have a good answer.

Why are you surprised you wife doesn't understand your motivations when you can't articulate them for her?

Don't run for time

Don't run for glory

Don't run for money

Run for the sure enjoyment of pain

Just run baby

Generally, people lack imagination and drive.

I used to think that people took an interest in activities I participated in (especially running). While this might be true on occasion, generally speaking, people really don’t care.

If you like improving your running, that’s great - but I wouldn’t expect people to care much.

Fdhj wrote:

I used to think that people took an interest in activities I participated in (especially running). While this might be true on occasion, generally speaking, people really don’t care.

If you like improving your running, that’s great - but I wouldn’t expect people to care much.

+1

Biggest problem I have with women is I start talking about running and they have no clue what I am talking about.

They don't get it wrote:

I am in my 30's and am a runner and a competitor. Much of my spare time is devoted to training and racing. I am not, by racer standards, fast but I work hard to earn PRs and to place higher in each races I race.I

I place close attention to my running progress and always strive to improve.

The other day, my wife asked why it's so important to me to work to run faster. I am guessing other people wonder this too.

I didn't have a good answer.

My god, you're the manifestation of the hobby jogger.

You're in your 30s but aren't elite. However, because you jog, you consider yourself a competitor. Like most hobby joggers, you spend your valuable free time focused on something you enjoy but technically aren't good at. Therefore, your PRs and clunky medals are all you have to show for your effort. And you do put in the hours and organize your workouts and research new plans and follow diet restrictions because in the case that you do not PR a race, it crushes you. It reveals the reality of your "career" as a runner: a complete and utter waste of time and resources. Because deep down, you know that running long distance is not the best exercise for long term and overall health.

You're exactly like me.

First. i wouldn't worry about how other people react to what you take passion in. If you do, and i have seen this happen, it distracts you and wastes your energy and focus.

More importantly, I know that i strive to get faster in running, and in other things i have done, i've strived to perfect them, too. I can tell you the reason why is, for me, because i want to discover about the essence of that activity. Not just at a participatory level or surface understanding. I want to discover about the most basic dynamics and mechanics of the activity and to feel what makes them tick and perform optimally. In so doing, I hope to experience it's full potential and all that it brings with it. To me, being able to d that is worth the work.

TheNoBeardRunner wrote:

Like most hobby joggers, you spend your valuable free time focused on something you enjoy but technically aren't good at.

...

It reveals the reality of your "career" as a runner: a complete and utter waste of time and resources.

But this is every hobby. If I were a better guitar player, I wouldn't be a hobby guitarist, I'd be in a band. If I were better at cooking, perhaps I'd be a famous chef. If I were better at pleasing the ladies, perhaps I'd be a porn star.

Hobbies are not a waste of time and resources. Not everything in life needs to yield physical profit. Running is at once challenging, enjoyable, relaxing, meditative, brings health benefits, is easy to get in to, and it's difficult to level up. In short, it's a perfect and very worthwhile long-term hobby. Jog on, fellow joggers.

Truth b told wrote:

We are born to compete.

Why does a man spend so much time trying to get good at hitting a little ball into a small hole in as few strikes as possible?

Why do people endure the physically damaging collisions of tackling and blocking just to carry a ball into a designated rectangular area?

That question can be asked if any sport.

No, the same question does not apply to football and baseball. Players do those sports because it pays millions of dollars.

They don't get it wrote:The other day, my wife asked why it's so important to me to work to run faster. I am guessing other people wonder this too.

I didn't have a good answer.

I think it's very common to not understand other people's interests, hobbies, and passions, and time investments. However, you should understand your own. If you can't explain it to your wife, perhaps you don't actually get it either.

I struggle with this too.

same ,

people wonder what's the point, or what's considered "good enough"

even guys and girls I train with, very OK with mediocrity. Nearly fall down fainting when I tell them what I'd like to run as if it's mind boggling.

nighthawk 99 wrote:

Nearly fall down fainting when I tell them what I'd like to run as if it's mind boggling.

I am a 3-hour marathoner. A guy at work was trying to enlist me in some 26.2 x 1 mile relay they're doing, and was telling people in all seriousness that he's pretty sure I could break 4 minutes. LOL. Maybe if I get the .2 segment.

They don't get it wrote:

I am in my 30's and am a runner and a competitor. Much of my spare time is devoted to training and racing. I am not, by racer standards, fast but I work hard to earn PRs and to place higher in each races I race.I

I place close attention to my running progress and always strive to improve.

The other day, my wife asked why it's so important to me to work to run faster. I am guessing other people wonder this too.

I didn't have a good answer.

You are asking other people for a good answer to the question of why YOU want to run faster?

If you don't have a good reason for why you are doing something, perhaps you should ask yourself if you should be doing it.