The Running Thread - 2016

[opusone]

I read a mean-spirited message board months ago that was making fun of "hobby joggers..."

Every single one of us is a "hobby jogger" whether we are running 6 min miles or run/walking 16 min miles. It is a hobby, not our livelihood. There are very few true "elites" in running (i.e. folks who can make a living from running). And I bet you a week-long deluxe resort Disney trip* that the author of the mean-spirited message board you refer to is also a "hobby jogger."

I have never met a true elite runner that had this attitude. In fact, the elites are usually the first to encourage other runners to get out there and try no matter how fast/slow, nor whether you use run/walk intervals or not.

People getting out there (or on a treadmill) and putting in the time to cover any amount of distance should be encouraged regardless of body shape, clothing, or performance level (or anything else for that matter). So, let's get out there and let the haters live in misery.

-----------------------------
* offer is invalid if you are somehow really able to prove the message board author is actually an elite runner

 

[preciouspups]

QOTD: Did you (or do you) have a hard time calling yourself a runner at first?

I still do! But mostly because it doesn't drive me. It isn't something I HAVE to do every day and it isn't something I really enjoy doing. Honestly, I do it because I like the thrill of the races and the camaraderie of other runners and cake. I really like cake! Let's face it, 20,000 people do not sign up to do a yoga race and then talk about it and wear costumes and travel 3000 miles for it!

Unrelated but related because that's my specialty:
I read a mean-spirited message board months ago that was making fun of "hobby joggers" and I've seen that term blogged about a couple times with a bad tone and my first thought was "so what...you can call me that...I'm ok with it...its' true...this is my hobby...I am not elite" But its funny how I see this same attitude in literally every other hobby/subculture I've been involved in from certain groups of people. I used to go to Blackhawk hockey games back when they had no fans, but the fans there were super die-hard. Then the team got good and really popular and everyone (not me) made fun of the new fans who knew nothing and weren't as die-hard as them. These were people being snobby about being a level of fan (shakes head.) When I was a dancer who spent a ton of time competing and practicing...I would hear all the time snobby complaints about the new students just doing it for fun and not improving or wanting to improve. People were harsh.
Why is this a thing?...human nature I am sure, but it bugs me. So I am happy not to contribute to that way of thinking!

I get those comments from my MIL about my pink Red Sox hats. Apparently, if you wear the pink it, you are not a die hard fan. Well, I have the pink hat because I went to a game and my head was getting burned and the pink was the only one left that fit me. But I like to remind her that *I* am the one who has bought my son and husband tons of Red Sox items and *I* am the one who buys our tickets to games... including the great tickets we had one year that she traded in for crappy tickets!

After my six mile run/walk this morning, the hobby jogger in me thought I deserved a stop at the donut shop but the tightness of my skirt told me to come home and eat something healthy and walk the dog. *sigh*

 

[LSUlakes]

Good news this morning. We reached an agreement and now have our house and the home we want to buy under contract. All good things! Should be able to get back to a normal running routine soon.

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: I never really called myself a runner until last year. It wasn't until I started training for the marathon that I felt comfortable enough to say I'm a runner. I don't know why, it's silly really - no matter the distance, if we are all moving faster than a walk, we are runners, right?

 

[Barca33Runner]

I read a mean-spirited message board months ago that was making fun of "hobby joggers" and I've seen that term blogged about a couple times with a bad tone and my first thought was "so what...you can call me that...I'm ok with it...its' true...this is my hobby...I am not elite" But its funny how I see this same attitude in literally every other hobby/subculture I've been involved in from certain groups of people. I used to go to Blackhawk hockey games back when they had no fans, but the fans there were super die-hard. Then the team got good and really popular and everyone (not me) made fun of the new fans who knew nothing and weren't as die-hard as them. These were people being snobby about being a level of fan (shakes head.) When I was a dancer who spent a ton of time competing and practicing...I would hear all the time snobby complaints about the new students just doing it for fun and not improving or wanting to improve. People were harsh.
Why is this a thing?...human nature I am sure, but it bugs me. So I am happy not to contribute to that way of thinking!

Definitely human nature for people to want to make themselves feel better/smarter/faster/more important than others. You see it in everything. I think my initial hesitancy when someone would call me a runner was influenced in some ways by not wanting to provoke the certain element that views other people in that fashion. I'm getting a little better at not caring what that type of person thinks (and, hopefully, at not being that type of person).

 

[roxymama]

Definitely human nature for people to want to make themselves feel better/smarter/faster/more important than others. You see it in everything. I think my initial hesitancy when someone would call me a runner was influenced in some ways by not wanting to provoke the certain element that views other people in that fashion. I'm getting a little better at not caring what that type of person thinks (and, hopefully, at not being that type of person).

You couldn't have said it better. That's how I think I feel. Sometimes I am afraid to bring up that I am a runner just in case someone may view me in that light. I'm trying to be better about that as well. I'm going to try to make sure not to poo-poo on anyone who is newer than me (which I'm pretty new as it is but I mean more if I stick with this longer and longer.)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Definitely human nature for people to want to make themselves feel better/smarter/faster/more important than others. You see it in everything. I think my initial hesitancy when someone would call me a runner was influenced in some ways by not wanting to provoke the certain element that views other people in that fashion. I'm getting a little better at not caring what that type of person thinks (and, hopefully, at not being that type of person).

Yeah, I don't even associate myself with people who have to tear others down in order to lift themselves up.

My reasoning mentioned previously for not thinking of myself as a runner - that reasoning does not mean that others do not think of me that way, or that it bothers me that they do. It means that I have learned that it is dangerous to associate what you do with who you are. If you lose that thing, you risk losing your personal identity. I have seen it happen to people very close to me with devastating effect. My brother was an all state athlete in high school and had a horrific traffic accident before starting college on scholarship. He was in a body cast and traction for a very long time afterward, and his days as an athlete were over. He survived, but the person that he identified with as himself did not. It destroyed his life. 20+ years later, he is still a shell. My best friend died that day, even though he lived.

So, do I run? Absolutely. I love it. But it is not a part of who I am.

 

[BikeFan]

This weekend we have the following folks with races @SFGamerBabe @SplashRider @Chaitali @BikeFan @camaker @IamTrike and myself. Some of yall are running the same race event but different distances. I wish yall the best of luck and safe travels to and from the event. If you would like to revise you goal time, let me know. Do you feel prepared for this weekends events?

I am very far behind on training and running my half this weekend will be very unpleasant. I am nor going for anything under 2 hours. Hope others have fared a little better in their preparations for race day.

Thanks, and good luck to you and all others running this weekend! The weather in the DC area is slightly warmer than expected, but I feel good and I'm just glad it shouldn't be raining. I hope to get under 3:30, but if I don't, no big deal. I'm just in this one for the sweet finisher's jacket!

On the topic of calling yourself a runner, I love this quote from Bart Yasso, a writer and editor for Runner's World:

I often hear someone say 'I’m not a real runner.' We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.

If you run (or run/walk), you're a runner - simple as that. It's a title we earn every time we step out that front door. I've generally found the running community to be pretty encouraging and open to new people, and I've never really run into any jerks who looked down on other runners, so I'm sorry if any of the rest of you have encountered such people. I always remember a thought that's true for all of us - there's probably someone faster out there, and probably someone slower, so all the rest of us somewhere in the middle, and that's fine.

 

[Chaitali]

Thanks, and good luck to you and all others running this weekend! The weather in the DC area is slightly warmer than expected, but I feel good and I'm just glad it shouldn't be raining. I hope to get under 3:30, but if I don't, no big deal. I'm just in this one for the sweet finisher's jacket!

On the topic of calling yourself a runner, I love this quote from Bart Yasso, a writer and editor for Runner's World:

I often hear someone say 'I’m not a real runner.' We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.

If you run (or run/walk), you're a runner - simple as that. It's a title we earn every time we step out that front door. I've generally found the running community to be pretty encouraging and open to new people, and I've never really run into any jerks who looked down on other runners, so I'm sorry if any of the rest of you have encountered such people. I always remember a thought that's true for all of us - there's probably someone faster out there, and probably someone slower, so all the rest of us somewhere in the middle, and that's fine.

I'm doing the RnR DC this weekend too (the half though, not the full) I'm happy about the weather because I did it last year when it was cold and rainy the whole time. Good luck!

 

[Dis5150]

QOTD: Did you (or do you) have a hard time calling yourself a runner at first?

Being a run/walker I did have a hard time calling myself a runner. But the people I work with, none of who run, have made such a big deal out of it, out of all my medals (I keep them in my office) and my races, I am actually starting to call myself one! Just getting out there 3 days a week usually, when others are sleeping or watching tv or whatever makes me feel good about myself and my running. I have struggled most of my life with low self confidence and running and finishing races has helped me in overcoming that. I still have bad days, but every time I wiggle my computer desk my medals bang an rattle together (I've got to get a hanger!) and I'm reminded of how much I've accomplished and how far I have come.

 

[clemsondisneygirl]

I did and sometimes still do. Being an interval runner can lead to some of that problem.

I agree with this, especially since I'm a generally slow interval runner at that but the more I do it and the more events I complete the less hung up on this I get...
It's all about moving your toosh off that couch!

 

[cavepig]

I don't think I've ever called myself a runner, but I know I always say "on my run" or "when I run" in conversations to people and I get introduced to people as a runner. It is a part of who am so yep I am a runner. Nope no problem saying it just like no problem saying I am a Disney-aholic!

 

[gjramsey]

This is again an interesting question with great responses.

ATTQOTD: I don't go out of the way to call myself a runner. I run and I seem to run a lot. I know I am a runner, but don't advertise myself as one. The Yasso comment is great. Somehow, I had not read that one before. I would like to see what a Fake Runner is.

 

[DVCFan1994]

QOTD: Did you (or do you) have a hard time calling yourself a runner at first?

I hesitated at first. Not sure why really, except maybe I wasn't sure I'd stick with it. And I was slow. Honestly, it doesn't come up much for me. Now, if someone asks if I'm a runner I will say yes. The only place I'll usually volunteer that I'm a runner is at the doctors office. One benefit of running for me is a very low heart rate. I usually get a concerned look when nurses take my vitals. At that point I say "I'm a runner" and they say "Oh, ok."

This weekend we have the following folks with races @SFGamerBabe @SplashRider @Chaitali @BikeFan @camaker @IamTrike and myself. Some of yall are running the same race event but different distances. I wish yall the best of luck and safe travels to and from the event. If you would like to revise you goal time, let me know. Do you feel prepared for this weekends events?

I am very far behind on training and running my half this weekend will be very unpleasant. I am nor going for anything under 2 hours. Hope others have fared a little better in their preparations for race day.

Good luck everyone! @LSUlakes congratulations on the house and enjoy your race as best you can!

 

[GreatLakes]

QOTD: Did you (or do you) have a hard time calling yourself a runner at first?

I had a similar viewpoint at first as you did. I didn't really call myself a runner until after I finished my first race. I'm trying to think back but I don't really remember referring to myself as a runner until after I decided I liked it and would be doing it a while. It probably took a few months after my first 5K to really think about myself as a runner.

 

[derekleigh]

QOTD: For how many years have you been running? Any long periods of time off and then have to start all over? Was the comeback just as hard as when you started or a little easier?

I ran cross country and track in HS. I did some running from then until about 2011. Since 2011 I've made running a cornerstone of my activities.

QOTD: Did you (or do you) have a hard time calling yourself a runner at first?

ATTQOTD: When I started going outside to run I would just say that "I'm going out running" even when I was doing intervals that including a lot of walking (a lot more than the run sections.) I wanted to be a runner so I just tried to get in that frame of mind even before my body had caught up to it. Did I feel like some kind of impostor at first? Oh you betcha. I was even apologetic for no reason about it. I blogged about that feeling about how wearing "fancy" running clothes and shoes made me feel like I was "faking it"...but I quickly got over it once I realized everyone in races around me was doing literally the exact same thing I was doing (one foot in front of the other and repeat) so I wasn't so different. I have no issue calling myself a runner now because I've started spending a whole lot of time running around. I'm cool with people calling themselves whatever they want to, so I realize and appreciate that it's personal.

Unrelated but related because that's my specialty:
I read a mean-spirited message board months ago that was making fun of "hobby joggers" and I've seen that term blogged about a couple times with a bad tone and my first thought was "so what...you can call me that...I'm ok with it...its' true...this is my hobby...I am not elite" But its funny how I see this same attitude in literally every other hobby/subculture I've been involved in from certain groups of people. I used to go to Blackhawk hockey games back when they had no fans, but the fans there were super die-hard. Then the team got good and really popular and everyone (not me) made fun of the new fans who knew nothing and weren't as die-hard as them. These were people being snobby about being a level of fan (shakes head.) When I was a dancer who spent a ton of time competing and practicing...I would hear all the time snobby complaints about the new students just doing it for fun and not improving or wanting to improve. People were harsh.
Why is this a thing?...human nature I am sure, but it bugs me. So I am happy not to contribute to that way of thinking!

IMO, unless a person is qualifying for the Olympics, some kind of major sponsorship, or can make a living off ONLY running, they are not elites. I've said this to a few people that think just because they qualify for Boston, that makes you an elite. While I have no evidence to back my theory up, I feel a lot of those people poking fun of "hobby joggers" are made up of people whom they feel are elite runners and while they are indeed fast, they are just a step or two shy of being a legit elite runner (see my definition in the first sentence).

 

[dmross]

A friend in my running group recommended this site: https://www.athlinks.com/

I love it! Reminded me that I just walked into a 5K that some friends were doing.

down

I was probably exactly like the .5 Mile girl. "Is this the finish line?"

So ATTQOTD? 9 years as of now that I've been a hobby jogger. I'm a happy hobby jogger, too, except when I hurt myself in a fall and had to wear a walker boot 6 weeks. Then I was a sad, frustrated hobby jogger. Hobby jogging, as many of you have noted, teaches us to handle ourselves with some humility and grace when things don't go our way. That's the power of hobby jogging.

 

[preciouspups]

I thought I would give @Keels some fun math to do. This is the sign that the Army put on the track last year. They have since changed it to measure in 10th, which is even more confusing!

 

[derekleigh]

I thought I would give @Keels some fun math to do. This is the sign that the Army put on the track last year. They have since changed it to measure in 10th, which is even more confusing!

Now are those measurements for the inner most lane, outer most lane? If those are for the inner most lane, what are the measurements for the outer most lane?

 

[LSUlakes]

QOTD: How much does your pace vary for your weekend long as compared to your race pace for either a half of full (Which ever applies to you)?

ATTQOTD: For myself the difference ranges from 30 to 60 seconds.

Happy Friday to all and hope you all have a great weekend!

Since I will have a race Sunday, would anyone be interested in posting the QOTD Sunday morning?