Posted on 01/22/2019 6:10:53 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
I‘ve always been a slow runner, you’ve probably heard me say that before. I’ve been slow at my skinniest, I’ve been slow at my fittest. In fact I don’t think I’ll ever get to a sub 10 minute mile unless I quit my job, divorce my husband and never see my friends again. I’d have to put in some serious woman power and fortunately I have a life to live and other goals I want to achieve. But do you know what, that’s ok. It’s ok to not hit a sub 10 minute mile and still call yourself a runner.
I think that quick runners have something about them that makes it easier for them. Now, now, stop your eye rolling and hear me out before you say I’m making excuses. My thinking is, it’s the same way that some people can sing, and some are tone deaf, some people can dance and some have two left feet, some people can write and some can’t string a sentence together. I think we can all run, it’s in our DNA to do it, but some of us can run quicker than others more easily. I mean, I’m not the only one to be thinking along these lines, there have been countless scientific studies on people’s athletic ability and whether you’re born with it and it’s natural selection or it’s just all down to hard work. So in that respect us slow runners deserve some respect.
Slow runners who put in the miles. Who put in the training and still sit at 12 minute miles yet stick it out, have grit.
Slow runners who run races with all their heart and cheer on others (even those who lap them) and come back of the pack, show determination.
(Excerpt) Read more at catstorey.com ...
Running at any speed (with very few exceptions) can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Good for your body, good for your mind.
The relativity of it all becomes clear when a grizzly is chasing you and your buddy.
If your goal is to win, 12 minutes isn’t gonna do it.
If your goal is to finish, 12 minutes is just fine.
Bill Rodgers, world-class marathoner from days gone by, once spoke of his admiration for the four hour plus marathon finishers, saying he couldn’t imagine running for four or five hours. I searched for the quote but did not find it, so that’s from elderly memory.
A lot of running is mental. In my mind, I’m still the sub-30 minute five miler and sub-3 hour marathoner I was at 40, but 35 years later the body disagrees.
The first time I ran the mile in high school (no timer displays back then) I called out to coach Bower "What's my time?" He responded "I don't know, Red, I don't have a calendar!"
I’m usually over 10 minutes, and yes, it is often more like a jogging motion. I’m more of a runner when I’m with other people, since it increases my competitive spirit.
Morning!
One can improve their speed but as a general rule if you are not born with the right stuff...you cant get it!!!!
10+ minutes per mile is a walk, not running or jogging.
I personally think that we subscribe to the genetic theory of abilities a bit too much. On noes, I’m not built like a runner due to my genes, so I may as well sit on the coouch, eat doritos, etc.
There is a woman who helps run an outfit called Nerd Fitness. A professional advised her that she wasn’t “designed” or “built” for weightlifting. Today, she can deadlift over 420 pounds, and she weighs less than 140.
“One can improve their speed but as a general rule if you are not born with the right stuff...you cant get it!!!!”
I agree. There’s definitely a genetic component. I was a sprinter, so more fast twitch muscle. I run distances to stay healthy, but it really takes a lot out of me, and I’m definitely not a fast distance runner. When I was younger I could do a 5 minute mile, but that’s more like a sprint to some extent, and doing that for more than 1 mile wasn’t going to happen. Now I can do a 5 minute mile in my car.
If you’ve ever watched elite runners at a marathon, they’re a different species than most of the rest of us.
Sorry!!! If you have short legs you will not be a star runner. If you are 5’2” you will not be a world class basket ball player. Everyone is limited by their body type in one way or another. It’s simply a physics thing!!!
This endless pity parties by attention seeking people is beyond tiresome at this point.
You are slow. No one cares. Stop being envious of those who are fast.
My half-marathon coach has short legs. With those short legs, she won at least a couple of trail supermarathons.
Good to hear from you again.
You are not a runner. You are a jogger. Jogging a sport where you attempt to run but are slower than walking. Yes Ido give you credit as an exerciser. Keep up the good work.
I’ll admit you’re right there. Kenyans are truly built for that sport.
And that’s anudder thing: why do people keep responding to an article that I post as though I’m the one who wrote it?
Oh, well.
I wish I could do that. When I was young I was a competitive runner. Never first, but never worse than middle of the pack. In Eugene, Oregon, that was quite satisfying.
Too many minor injuries, though, that are now chronic. Everything below the knees proved fragile, except knees. Ham string, achilles, ankle tendons, even a stress fracture in one foot caused by running down hills too often.
Can only walk 2 - 3 miles per day, every other day. Any more and I risk reinjuring something.
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