Did you all catch this in the NYTimes today?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/sports/23marathon.html
What kind of elitist B.S. is this? And check out the lackluster credentials of this Adrienne Wald woman who says “It’s a joke to run a marathon by walking every other mile or by finishing in six, seven, eight hours…it used to be that running a marathon was worth something — there used to be a pride saying that you ran a marathon, but not anymore. Now it’s, ‘How low is the bar?’”
Are you kidding me?
Having “slow” runners in the marathon takes absolutely nothing away from the experience of those running a few minutes per mile faster, and the “slow pokes” more than ‘pay for’ their time on the course: they account for the exponential increase in marathon participants (and revenues) across the country. But that’s really beside the point. The arrogance of the folks quoted in this article is indefensible and deplorable.
I recently completed my first marathon, and while my time on the course was very average and not particularly noteworthy, the sense of accomplishment I felt at the end of 26.2 miles was much more significant and memorable than my pace per mile.
I enjoy cheering on the elite runners and marvel at their ability and effort as much as the next person. They are awesome. Some of them are freaks of nature. I will never be that fast and I’m OK with that. Does it mean there is not a spot for me in the field, or for someone who runs a few minutes per mile slower still? Absolutely not. Runners, unite!
And even if none of this touchy feely stuff matters, one fact remains: we have an epidemic of obesity in this country! If the allure of the marathon is inspiring people to get off the couch, we should cross the finish line, grab some water and an orange slice, and cheer them on.
4 Comments
I would just like to say – THANK YOU for this response to that article. I’m a slow runner myself, and I run for the absolute thrill of it, stress relief, and yes, weight control & fitness. I, too, love to watch elite runners – I am amazed by their abilities while appreciating I’ll never be able to approach their speed, and I’m okay with that.
I know people throughout the running community at all levels, and I will say that the people quoted in this article are absolute outliers – the real running community is encouraging, supportive, and while there are elite runners, I’ve never (before this article anyway) found them to be elit-ist.
I have not yet run a full marathon, but if this party poopers think that they’ve talked me out of trying, well, don’t get behind me – cause I’ll just slow you down!
From the article:
“I always ask those people, ‘What was your time?’ If it’s six hours or more, I say, ‘Oh great, that’s fine, but you didn’t really run it,’ ” said Given, who finished the Baltimore race in 4:05:52. “The mystique of the marathon still exists. It’s the mystique of the fast marathon.”
I’m hoping the author included that quote as a joke! Given should be grateful for the 6 hour marathoners- otherwise she would be at the back of the pack!
I am often most impressed with the 5 and 6 hour finishers, who probably had a lot more to overcome than their speedier counterparts.
Very interesting article and debate. The marathon has been a unique race that has tested one’s ability to push the body beyond what any other race could push it. It’s about perseverance, about challenging one’s self to exceed all expectations. There are months of training, preparing, staying mentally and physically fit and tough. It’s a race that not many people could say they actually accomplished, and there’s pride that comes with that. The marathon is special, it’s for those who feel the need to push themselves, to be challenged. The overwhelming sense of accomplishment as one crosses the finish line is beyond belief, it’s amazing, it’s a rush that you don’t know unless you’ve done it. The big feeling here is pride, accomplishment, success, feeling on top of the world.
There are slow runners, fast runners and in between runners. I think many runners may feel that their “pride” of accomplishment is being taken away when they have finished the race in a respectable 4 hours and the person wearing the same finishers medal next to them finished in 8 hours. Pride comes from the inside, it’s in the soul, and no one can take away from you. If a person finishes in 8 hours, spending most of the marathon walking, but actually finishes the race, they will experience the same pride as the runner who just finished their personal best race. They set a goal, achieved it, and can feel on top of the world for doing just that. Why take that away?
I agree that officials need to let volunteers leave the course at a certain point, open up roads for traffic, save money on expenses, and I think 8 hours is plenty long. I also know that runners who are going to finish last need to be respectful of other runners, and at least start at the back of the starting line. There’s nothing worse than weaving in and out of runners for 26 miles because someone though they should start at the front of the pack when they really were going to take 6 hrs. to finish. That does drive me nuts when I run.
I’m a die hard runner, have been since I was 7. I love the thrill of a race, love the sense of accomplishment and the fancy jewelry (medal) at the finish and the pride of receiving them. I love to inspire people to run, to achieve a goal they never would have set for themselves, to help others dig deep and see what they’re made of and what their body can do. It’s amazing to watch someone finish the marathon with their hands held high, tears in their eyes, just knowing they pushed hard enough to surpass their wildest dreams. If you’re willing to sign up for a marathon, go through the hassle of getting to the starting line, pay the fees, then by golly, you better get to that finish line –no matter what the time is when you’re done.
Those of us who are slower runners should admire the elite runners for their dedication and hard work. The few elite runners who make disparaging remarks about slower runners and walkers most likely do so out of personal insecurity – ignore them.