Today was another relaxing day in Florida. I took a drive up to Naples, which is about 20 miles from my folks home. Of course I went to the local running store - Naples On the Run. It's a tiny store, but the owner and I talked for a while. We chatted about the Chicago Marathon, the topic of the week in the running world. He hopes this will mean a crack down on the more casual runner - those who take 7-8 hours to complete a marathon. He also talked about the Naples Half Marathon in January. Might be something to consider.
I came home and did 30 laps in the pool today. The pool is half the length of an Olympic pool. So if we are translating into hard core swimming, I did 15 Olympic lengths today.
Tomorrow is a fun filled day. In the morning I am watching my oldest niece, Mary play volleyball. In the evening a group is gathering to celebrate my dad turning 90 years old!
Enjoying the time off....this must mean when I get back I will have a ton to do!
:-)Charlie
4 comments:
He hopes this will mean a crack down on the more casual runner - those who take 7-8 hours to complete a marathon.
As opposed to a crackdown on marathons that are corporate monsters but poorly managed on the ground?????
Don't blame the runners. They didn't run out of water, gatorade, or even consider cancelling the damned thing when it was clear that it was too hot for any sane person to be out there running 26 miles.
The fact that some were able to finish doesn't mean it's all OK.
And I'm not finished yet....
That's one of the things I loathe about the "running community". All this talk of being there for all runners, regardless of skill level, when the real focus is "are you fast enough to be just like us?".
I did a fun run two years ago. As a twist, the prize went to the person who predicted in advance how long it would take them to do 5K and got the closest to their prediction. Of course, you left your watches behind!
I won because I got within two seconds of my predicted time. But they just couldn't stand giving a prize to just slow runners so, at the last minute while giving out the awards, they also gave a prize to the guy who came in first, even though he was a good 3 minutes off his prediction.
And said "It just doesn't seem right to not give an award to you for being the fastest."
Gee, thanks.
So what if it takes 7 to 8 hours to finish a marathon? Those runners are still out there running, still challenging themselves, still setting and meeting goals, still running for crap's sake.
Isn't that what counts? Isn't that what running is supposed to be about? Not just speed?
I will admit there are some snob runners out there. I'm not one of them for the record. I think if you can put one foot in front of the other and keep going....run the darned thing.
I understand though about time limits when there are streets being closed. They can't stay closed forever. That's when you move folks to the sidewalks. Yes...no runner wants to be told to move to the sidewalk, but at least you get to keep on going.
Charlie
Charlie,
Just for the record, also, I know you were never like that. You've been the person who was out there running even when you weren't sure you wanted people to see you run. You've been the guy supporting and encouraging the "casual runner".
But, oh!, the hubris and the hypocrisy in some in the running community!
Kelly
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