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Slow runners deserve some damn respect
Cat Storey ^ | January 14, 2019 | Cat Storey

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 ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Hobbies; Miscellaneous; Outdoors; Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: joggers; runners; runningmotivation; slowrunners
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Running at any speed (with very few exceptions) can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Good for your body, good for your mind.


21 posted on 01/22/2019 6:52:08 AM PST by ironman
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To: DoodleBob

The relativity of it all becomes clear when a grizzly is chasing you and your buddy.


22 posted on 01/22/2019 6:52:54 AM PST by Delta 21
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

If your goal is to win, 12 minutes isn’t gonna do it.

If your goal is to finish, 12 minutes is just fine.


23 posted on 01/22/2019 7:01:37 AM PST by IronJack
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

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.


24 posted on 01/22/2019 7:06:19 AM PST by JimRed ( TERM LIMITS, NOW! Build the Wall Faster! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
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To: null and void
I don’t know what I ran. By the time I got in, the coach, assuming nobody could still be out there, had invariably stopped the timer.

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!"

25 posted on 01/22/2019 7:16:56 AM PST by JimRed ( TERM LIMITS, NOW! Build the Wall Faster! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
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To: lepton

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.


26 posted on 01/22/2019 7:21:57 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: null and void

Morning!


27 posted on 01/22/2019 7:36:38 AM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0ndRzaz2o)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

One can improve their speed but as a general rule if you are not born with the right stuff...you cant get it!!!!


28 posted on 01/22/2019 7:40:04 AM PST by ontap
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

10+ minutes per mile is a walk, not running or jogging.


29 posted on 01/22/2019 7:47:50 AM PST by Centurion2000 (Coming in from the cold .... been a LONG while.)
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To: ontap

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.


30 posted on 01/22/2019 7:48:38 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: ontap

“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.


31 posted on 01/22/2019 7:48:57 AM PST by neverevergiveup
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

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!!!


32 posted on 01/22/2019 7:55:16 AM PST by ontap
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

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.


33 posted on 01/22/2019 8:06:49 AM PST by OpusatFR
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To: ontap

My half-marathon coach has short legs. With those short legs, she won at least a couple of trail supermarathons.


34 posted on 01/22/2019 8:19:38 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: ironman

Good to hear from you again.


35 posted on 01/22/2019 8:21:52 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Marathons do not necessarily depend on speed but endurance. I did not say there are not people who excel despite their handicap but they seldom reach the pentacle of the exercise!!! There is a reason the New york marathon has been won by a Kenyan for years!!!
36 posted on 01/22/2019 8:24:06 AM PST by ontap
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

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.


37 posted on 01/22/2019 8:29:40 AM PST by Retvet (Retvet)
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To: ontap

I’ll admit you’re right there. Kenyans are truly built for that sport.


38 posted on 01/22/2019 8:30:40 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: Retvet

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.


39 posted on 01/22/2019 8:32:09 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Ya lyublyu kovfefe!)
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To: HotHunt
Now I am fit again and walk for 45 minutes everyday to stay active.

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.

40 posted on 01/22/2019 8:55:19 AM PST by jimtorr
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