How would you have addressed this?

[UGAFan0829]

Yesterday my department here at work had a "team building" event, and while at lunch the subject of running came up. We were discussing the upcoming Rock N' Roll Nashville race that a co-worker is doing (we'll call him Toby). He had mentioned trying to get sponsors to raise money for some of the Boston victims. This person also happens to be someone who uses a run/walk/run metho--as do myself and one other person at the table. Another co-worker (we'll call him Bob) then chimed in and said that the only way he would give money is if Toby ran the entire thing, that he would not donate if Toby did any walking what-so-ever. Basically, Bob then proceeded to let us know that races don't really count if you have to walk. My blood was boiling and I was so upset while feeling really discouraged at the same time. I'm sure there are probably people out there who may feel the same way, but in my few short years of running, I've encountered nothing but positivity towards running and walking a race. I'm still upset by it today, and I can't help but wonder what I should have said!

 

[Ram7730]

When the person who has a problem with the run/walk method runs an entire race themselves I would dignify what they say with a response however even if that happens I completely dismiss what they are saying. I mean who cares if you run, walk or some combination? If how fast you do it matters than only about .5% of those in a race matter anyway. Dismissing someone's effort because they may walk a little is ignorant in my opinion.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Thank you. This person does run, on occasion, but I've never known him to run anything farther than a 5k.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Bob sounds like a gem. Is this typical for Bob. I would have probably tuned him out.

 

[JCH]

Yesterday my department here at work had a "team building" event, and while at lunch the subject of running came up. We were discussing the upcoming Rock N' Roll Nashville race that a co-worker is doing (we'll call him Toby). He had mentioned trying to get sponsors to raise money for some of the Boston victims. This person also happens to be someone who uses a run/walk/run metho--as do myself and one other person at the table. Another co-worker (we'll call him Bob) then chimed in and said that the only way he would give money is if Toby ran the entire thing, that he would not donate if Toby did any walking what-so-ever. Basically, Bob then proceeded to let us know that races don't really count if you have to walk. My blood was boiling and I was so upset while feeling really discouraged at the same time. I'm sure there are probably people out there who may feel the same way, but in my few short years of running, I've encountered nothing but positivity towards running and walking a race. I'm still upset by it today, and I can't help but wonder what I should have said!

I always tell them that their opinion is great, but I'll trust the opinion of the Olympians who write entire books about using walk breaks to improve time.

 

[lisah0711]

I always tell them that their opinion is great, but I'll trust the opinion of the Olympians who write entire books about using walk breaks to improve time.

^^^^^^ This!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I always tell them that their opinion is great, but I'll trust the opinion of the Olympians who write entire books about using walk breaks to improve time.

Great reply!

OP--Bob is a jerk. (I know we are supposed to be nice, but he is). But there are Bob's everywhere. We had a neighbor for a while who made comments when I went for a run with his wife about our "jogging". Refused to say it was running because we were "too slow." Another jerk. I don't know what I would have done in this case, but I do love the above reply.

 

[Diskidatheart]

My first half marathon was the Disney half this year. I ran the entire thing and was proud that I did, but I limped around for 2 days afterwards. My second half this year was a month ago and I fell short of running the entire race. I started out too fast and had to take walk breaks in each of the last 4 miles (including the final mile that was on the beach). The funny thing is that my time was 4 minutes faster in my 2nd race and I finished under 2 hours for that race. I didn't feel like it was any less of an accomplishment because I had to walk parts of it. The best part of it was that I had no issues walking around the next few days.

Whether you walk or run (or some combination of both) a 5k, 10k, 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles, or just 1 mile...it is an accomplishment to finish.

 

[John VN]

I would think nothing of it; however, if Bob was adressing me, I would have simply asked him what time I needed to complete the event in that would change his mind regarding donating money.

Great reply!

OP--Bob is a jerk. (I know we are supposed to be nice, but he is). But there are Bob's everywhere. We had a neighbor for a while who made comments when I went for a run with his wife about our "jogging". Refused to say it was running because we were "too slow." Another jerk. I don't know what I would have done in this case, but I do love the above reply.

I don't think Bob is a jerk, just a person with a different perspective on what running is.

1 mile......Steve Prefontaine-3:54.6________Jeff Galloway-4:12
2 mile......Steve Prefontaine-8:18:29_______Jeff Galloway-9:06
3 mile......Steve Prefontaine-12:51.4_______Jeff Galloway-14:10
6 mile......Steve Prefontaine-26:51.4_______Jeff Galloway-27:21
10K.........Steve Prefontaine-27:43.6_______Jeff Galloway-28:29

If Steve was alive today and my neighbor and felt my R/W/R was not running, I would not consider him a jerk, rather a person with far greater abilities than myself and Jeff, with his own perspective on the requirements needed to classify one as running and respect his view. I don't understand why people get so upset with how other people interpret things.

I wonder if Jeff ever R/W/R during any event against Steve or others in his younger days of all out competition.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

i would have looked him in the eye and said, "bob, you're a douche."

then again, i'm from the bronx and perhaps i'm not that nice of a person.

and then i would have told him that you and toby can make more money fundraising with your run/walk/run approach than he can with his sit-on-the-couch approach.

and then i would have shunned him for the rest of the day. end of story.

 

[UGAFan0829]

i would have looked him in the eye and said, "bob, you're a douche."

then again, i'm from the bronx and perhaps i'm not that nice of a person.

and then i would have told him that you and toby can make more money fundraising with your run/walk/run approach than he can with his sit-on-the-couch approach.

and then i would have shunned him for the rest of the day. end of story.

I like the way you think!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I would think nothing of it; however, if Bob was adressing me, I would have simply asked him what time I needed to complete the event in that would change his mind regarding donating money.



I don't think Bob is a jerk, just a person with a different perspective on what running is.

1 mile......Steve Prefontaine-3:54.6________Jeff Galloway-4:12
2 mile......Steve Prefontaine-8:18:29_______Jeff Galloway-9:06
3 mile......Steve Prefontaine-12:51.4_______Jeff Galloway-14:10
6 mile......Steve Prefontaine-26:51.4_______Jeff Galloway-27:21
10K.........Steve Prefontaine-27:43.6_______Jeff Galloway-28:29

If Steve was alive today and my neighbor and felt my R/W/R was not running, I would not consider him a jerk, rather a person with far greater abilities than myself and Jeff, with his own perspective on the requirements needed to classify one as running and respect his view. I don't understand why people get so upset with how other people interpret things.

I wonder if Jeff ever R/W/R during any event against Steve or others in his younger days of all out competition.

Maybe this is a female perspective, but I have run into so many Bob's in my life that it is kind of ridiculous. IF Bob is a runner who regularly runs long distances, then sure he can have whatever opinion he wants. BUT most of the time the Bob's out there are just know it alls with opinions about everything that make other people feel bad. My goodness--"a race doesn't count if you don't run every stinking step". I am sorry, but who is he to spout off opinions that are intended in my opinion to make other people feel bad. Obviously this has hit a nerve with me.

I agree with dumbobuddy. I would have been thinking that word, but probably wouldn't have said it in front of him.

ETA--and I have completed half marathons running every stinking step, and I have run/walked. Both are running. Both are tiring. And I was faster run/walking.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

I agree with dumbobuddy. I would have been thinking that word, but probably wouldn't have said it in front of him.
.

you know me, rose. i have a hard time keeping my mouth shut

 

[BackstoryWorthy]

i would have looked him in the eye and said, "bob, you're a douche."

then again, i'm from the bronx and perhaps i'm not that nice of a person.

and then i would have told him that you and toby can make more money fundraising with your run/walk/run approach than he can with his sit-on-the-couch approach.

 

[FireDancer]

I'd have just shrugged my shoulders, said alright, and never thought about it again. I don't share the guy's opinion but it is what it is. I've never really heard any runner put down anyone who finishes a marathon no matter what their time. Sure, there are tongue in cheek comments like the Pearl Izumi ads but I really don't think anyone views someone who is slower than them or walks as less of a marathon finisher.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I would agree with people who said shrug shoulder and let it roll off my back. I
am a run/walker and the majority of my half marathon towards the 6-13 mile mark I am with majority run walkers. We understand and are encouraging towards one another but that spectator or that volunteer who thinks they are being encouraging always have to say something like this is a race not a walk or come run... I just politely smile and keep going because some will not understand that you run/walk because you want too. There is just no changing some people minds and so hey think what you want you are still putting the miles in!!!

 

[Ariel484]

Ask him what his PR is... Chances are he doesn't have one because he's not a runner...agree with the PP that it's mostly non-runners that have attitudes like your buddy does.

 

[walkdmc]

OP, don't take offense to this but some part of you may feel the run/walk method is inferior to straight running. Maybe you've heard other insults about that method. I run/walk too but take absolutely no offense to others' objections to my method. If your blood was boiling, you took his comment personally and should figure out why. (so it doesn't happen again).

Bob can say whatever he wants, who cares? Who needs Bob's dimes anyway? Hit up others for donations.

Keep healthy, keep trucking.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

To the OP what I would have done was said hey Bob that is an interesting opinion you have there. Do you mind if I show you some research to show why we run the way we do. If Bob said yes I would pull articles forms active and New England journal of medicine. If Bob said no then know he will be ignorant for a bit more. In cases like these is is about education not pride.

 

[Aw Phooey]

If it were my race I would have looked him in the eye and said "I will accept that challenge when I'm ready for it and not a day sooner. Running it straight through is not my goal nor my priority for this race."

My sister had a similar attitude once. Even after I told her it was for my personal safety (I'm carrying a lot...) she couldn't think of it was "running". That's her world though. She CAN run a half-marathon without a walk break. She's also never been fat. She didn't know why anyone would want to walk any part of a race let alone why anyone might need to.

But she saw first hand how I race with walk breaks and how I race without. After I dropped C25K in favor of a regular, short, R-W interval, I went through a phase where I set a PR for 5Ks three times in a row. My 5K with no walk breaks is so far my worst time and I physically felt like garbage afterwards. She understands now that the walk breaks are necessary to get me to the finish alive with lowered chance of injury (I am a heavy runner after all) and not because I'm afraid of pain.

You know better and the possibility of hurting yourself by biting off more than you can chew isn't worth the money.