Posted by simon on 3/3/2008 on simon's blogIs it just me, or is the whole (non-running) world becoming obsessed with the marathon?
I guess when you get thousands of people running marathons for charity, and slow runners being hailed as super-heroes for "bravely" getting round 26.2 miles at barely above walking pace, everything else pales into insignificance. I won't start ranting. Suffice it to say that at the moment I am pinned in a non-running, non-athlete environment - and it comes a a bit of a shock when you live in Boulder.
While doing my rounds at this two-day trade show by the sea in Brighton on England's south coast, if I happen to mention that I do a bit of running, it is absolutely, totally inevitable that the next question I'm asked will be, "Oh, do you run marathons?" I'm learning not to explain about 5ks and miles, as the blank looks are deafening.
To be honest, I'm not feeling much of any sort of runner at the moment. It's been four days and I haven't got out to stretch my legs. But this morning at breakfast I did read`the UK edition of Runner's World. Does that count?
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.thumbnail.JPG "Kissing the Hardrock")
15k race.thumbnail.jpg "Tai Tapu 15km....my first ever race")
Jerry Nairn says:
> I won't start ranting.
Too late!
Seriously, though, Simon. You're still a runner to us. I don't think any less of you because you stick to the easier races. (Kidding! :-)
dave albo says:
All you have to do is say you are a "sprinter" instead of "runner" to avoid the marathon question. Works for me anyway. (kidding, I'm not a "real sprinter" just a wannabe.)
But seriously.. everyone understands that finishing a marathon is not easy. Not everyone understands that running lets say a 5k in under 17:30 (just as an example for Simon) is not so easy. I guess the masses are actually asking you "Oh, are you a good runner?" coming from this limited view. The blank looks about 5k or miles probably include the thoughts to themselves "Oh sorry I didn't realize you are not that good a runner"...
baldwyn says:
Well, non-runners can comprehend running. Runners can comprehend racing. I'm in a "finishing" phase right now. I'll spend the latter half of the year working on speed.
I dread speed workouts and the work involved in getting fast. I'd say I'm taking the lazy route by concentrating on endurance :)
You could say you're a 5k/mile "specialist."
Runner NYC says:
As someone who runs races from the mile to the marathon, I can tell you that running the shorter races well is much more difficult than the longer ones! I can take minutes off of my "middle distance" PRs (I have yet to run a good marathon), but I struggle to take seconds off the shorter races. My first 1-mile race was the scariest race I've ever run and I'd already run several half marathons by that time. The second and third 1-mile races were nearly as scary!
At least they don't suggest that every run you do is a marathon - no matter how many times I correct them as to the distance, some people will just shrug and say "what's the difference?" Well, in the most recent instance, 22.2 miles for one thing!
Jerry Nairn says:
Ah, the old "How long is that marathon?" question, and it's complement, "So you say you're running a 5 kilometer marathon this weekend?"
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