slow runners pity party (Page 7)

I am running a half tomorrow and will be Happy! to get 2:18!  My time for my last 2 has been 2:22 (yep exactly same time for last 2)...Nothing like consistency....I have had different run strategies (run faster in second half, go out faster etc...)  But, it is always the same time...Now I own it, it's my time!  I feel great regardless because I am ou there doing it!  I am moving and smiling and feeling energized not to mention inspiring others to do the same!

No poo-pooing here!  

HAHA I think I run more slowly than all of you.

Actually right now I *really* run more slowly than all of you, because I'm not running at all. Might try some light strolling next week, maybe with a dog at the end of a rope.

Just PR'd my half today and was 2:17 also!!!!  10 km split was 1:04...WooHoo!  Also a PR...That makes me 5 min faster than 6 months ago...

Loving this thread! When I started triathlons three years ago, I was around a 10, 10:30 pace. With three years of experience (admittedly, no smart training), I've managed to get slower. I've definitely upped my miles (two half marathons the last year), and have focused more on distance than speed.

Oh, well. I just have a great time doing this stuff. The way I see it, I'm still faster than the folks sitting on the couch.

This epic thread slipped to the third page, and was in danger of disappearing. I cannot let that happen.

So, I'll post my achievement for today in a place that a few people will appreciate it.

I did my longest run ever today. 8 miles. 8.05 exactly. I did it in under 2 hours, barely. I was thrilled on Tuesday to do 4 miles at a solid sub 15:30 pace. Today I went out the same initial 2 mile climb (cat 5 according to mapmyrun), then did a new loop, and nailed down a 14:53 average for the whole run, with the 5th mile at 13:58 and really pushing the 8th mile at 13:16.

This was a huge breakthrough for me, in both distance and speed. Here's the route to show the average Central PA rolling hills run where I live. 

I cranked up the Tool on the mp3 at the start of the run instead of the end, and ended on Foo Fighters. Now that I did my 8 mile, I guess I have to kick back with some Eminem.

Great job Claw!!

I'm in the process of kind of starting over, 1-3 miles running daily.  I'm going to see if there is something to this consistent running and building up to it to see if I can get over my injury bugs.  Of course I'll have to go back to ground zero in December when I have ankle surgery.  Eh, what else do I have to do, right?

Base don't die. You got base and anything consistent you're doing now is adding to it. It comes back much faster after time out.

turtlegirl - 2011-10-14 2:40 AM let's hope!  I was told 6-8 weeks recovery.  I was running 1 month after knee surgery, but I've got no experience with ankles. I am getting a bit of bone sawed down though

Can you aquajog once the sutures heal up?

Definition of slow:  when you have to ask the racers, as they go back to their cars, where the finish line was before they took it down, and then you go over there and cross the former but now imaginary finish line.  And are happy about it.

Definition of fast:  making it to the finish line before they take it down.

Anything else is irrelevant.

~~ kate

Kate, you rock.

You put my feelings about it into words perfectly.

OMG I didn't realize until now that I'm "slow". I was DLF at a race this April, and yes they took the finish line down! It was dark and they just said shouted to me as I rounded the corner "Run to the light!". The "missing" finish line should've been my first clue. And I smile because I AM prouder of that finish that any other race to date.

I love it when I am 3 miles from the finish of a long race and I start seeing people who clearly ran the race, had their post-race nosh, and are jogging back on the course for their cooldown trip.  They probably ran from home and are running roughly twice the distance I am suffering through that day. 

I ran a race last year (7 miler cross-country that took 1:45 due to ankle twist and general difficult) and by the time I finished, got my snacks, walked about 1 mile back to the hotel, hosed my shoes outside -  my carmate was already back to the hotel, showered, and coiffed. 

LOVE this.  I am also in the super slow club. I started running in March and I was doing about 16min/miles. At a half last weekend I averaged 13:52s and I was THRILLED. Beyond thrilled really....I felt so fast  It was a 1:13min/mi improvement from my very first half 4 weeks ago, and I was so stoked.  If I never get faster, but keep going further and start doing triathlons, I would still be thrilled. I tell myself sometimes that being slow lets me enjoy the scenery. Those fast runners probably miss out on all of the cool spectators and signs that say things like "Chuck Norris Never Ran a Marathon".

TheClaaw....you are my hero. Consider this a virtual high five.

Thanks - here's a high five back. I have an anecdote about how being a slow runner can benefit when you catch the scenery.

I did a tri in August, which was all on the beach. Hilton Head SC. Biking on the hard sand pack was new to me. Anyway, on the run, within the first 2 tenths of a mile, I spotted a sand dollar. I have been going to the beach every year since I was born, and I've never found a sand dollar. (I never got to the shoreline early in the morning before all the other tourists I suppose.)

I picked that thing up and carried it the whole 3 miles to the finish, to give it to my daughter as a memento of going to watch Daddy race at the beach. If I were a fast runner, I never would have noticed it or thought to pick it up.

There's a triathlete I met at the Y who does the half and full distances. I know he trains seriously, and I could believe he was in contention for AG, but when I asked him about whether he was going for podium goals, he said something I liked, which definitely applies more to me than him: "it's expensive to enter these races and they give you up to 17 hours on the course. I try to get my money's worth."