Back in the early '80s when I ran under 2:30 a few times (and close to that a few more times), there were enough "fast" marathoners around that I definitely wasn't 1 in 1,000. In the race in which I ran my PR I was 10th and there were 17 under 2:30 out of 1,550 official finishers. But back in those days the cut-off time to be an official finisher in most South African marathons was 4:30, which is probably about in the middle of the field these days here in the US.
Is there another sport where people exaggerate their accomplishments more than running? As an “average” runner, I try to be very humble and understated. I’m proud of myself, but who cares?
Social media has moved away from a platform of connecting people and providing information to a bunch of individuals on a stage crying “LOOK AT ME!” As a result, you see less honesty and more narcissism with people assuming that their every single action in life is of interest to others, right down to what they eat in a day. (BTW, posting that kind of content about food can actually be detrimental for some people struggling with eating disorders, but fuck it if the post get a few likes, right? )
There’s a huge inability for some people to have a civil conversation when they disagree anymore. Condescending comments in place of meaningful dialogue are the norm on both the right and the left, and both sides feel justified in their approach. I think those on the left are less aware when they’re being unkind, though.
I remember running my half marathon PR(1:12.05), placing 11th overall (Awards went to top 10 overall top finishers) and 6th or 7th in my age group (awards to top 5). I thought "Good God! What do I have to do to get an award?? Run faster apparently! (I never did).
Good! I loved the retro article from 2004.What a memory for details.The golf cart Nazis made it more like a 50 steeple chase!That's a very decent to hold a sub 6 for 50k. A National Gold Team medal is quite an accomplishment.So that was a CMS team then.I figured Verrington and Dunham.The times of the 80's and 70's(and 60's from what I hear) were of such a high caliber! If you were 7 mins a mile in a 5 mile race,you were in the bottom 25%.Now some of these men-hating witches with just enough talent to be dangerous believe their press clippings and think themselves Goddesses.If only they had even a little humility.In the 1979 Boston Marathon I finished smack dab in the middle of the pack with a 2:58:10 (2800th/5800 finishers roughly).Nowadays a 2:58 in an average marathon nets a top 10% finish.I won a marathon in 2:40 in the early 90's but felt embarrassed that it was way too slow to merit a victory. Your 2:24 is awesome.Great memory for you to cherish.Nice writing,as always.
Enjoying your schtick Kevin and I still miss the Donnybrook. Yeah in the social media age there is a lot of self-promotion. I don't know what kind of money Elle makes as a trail runner, maybe some, but in the general running public--think Runnersworld, typical road race scene, social media--an OTQ is elite, therefore it's not much of a stretch for some to say I OTQ'd, therefore elite, and I won a few hundred or few thousand at some races in the past couple years, and now I'm a pro.
Back in the early '80s when I ran under 2:30 a few times (and close to that a few more times), there were enough "fast" marathoners around that I definitely wasn't 1 in 1,000. In the race in which I ran my PR I was 10th and there were 17 under 2:30 out of 1,550 official finishers. But back in those days the cut-off time to be an official finisher in most South African marathons was 4:30, which is probably about in the middle of the field these days here in the US.
Is there another sport where people exaggerate their accomplishments more than running? As an “average” runner, I try to be very humble and understated. I’m proud of myself, but who cares?
I always enjoy reading your take on the world. There is way too much positivity going on and it needs to stop. #doctrineoftotaldepravity
When are you going to video blog this stuff and start making some real cash? I'd like to see you on Joe Rogan.
Social media has moved away from a platform of connecting people and providing information to a bunch of individuals on a stage crying “LOOK AT ME!” As a result, you see less honesty and more narcissism with people assuming that their every single action in life is of interest to others, right down to what they eat in a day. (BTW, posting that kind of content about food can actually be detrimental for some people struggling with eating disorders, but fuck it if the post get a few likes, right? )
There’s a huge inability for some people to have a civil conversation when they disagree anymore. Condescending comments in place of meaningful dialogue are the norm on both the right and the left, and both sides feel justified in their approach. I think those on the left are less aware when they’re being unkind, though.
I remember running my half marathon PR(1:12.05), placing 11th overall (Awards went to top 10 overall top finishers) and 6th or 7th in my age group (awards to top 5). I thought "Good God! What do I have to do to get an award?? Run faster apparently! (I never did).
Good! I loved the retro article from 2004.What a memory for details.The golf cart Nazis made it more like a 50 steeple chase!That's a very decent to hold a sub 6 for 50k. A National Gold Team medal is quite an accomplishment.So that was a CMS team then.I figured Verrington and Dunham.The times of the 80's and 70's(and 60's from what I hear) were of such a high caliber! If you were 7 mins a mile in a 5 mile race,you were in the bottom 25%.Now some of these men-hating witches with just enough talent to be dangerous believe their press clippings and think themselves Goddesses.If only they had even a little humility.In the 1979 Boston Marathon I finished smack dab in the middle of the pack with a 2:58:10 (2800th/5800 finishers roughly).Nowadays a 2:58 in an average marathon nets a top 10% finish.I won a marathon in 2:40 in the early 90's but felt embarrassed that it was way too slow to merit a victory. Your 2:24 is awesome.Great memory for you to cherish.Nice writing,as always.
Enjoying your schtick Kevin and I still miss the Donnybrook. Yeah in the social media age there is a lot of self-promotion. I don't know what kind of money Elle makes as a trail runner, maybe some, but in the general running public--think Runnersworld, typical road race scene, social media--an OTQ is elite, therefore it's not much of a stretch for some to say I OTQ'd, therefore elite, and I won a few hundred or few thousand at some races in the past couple years, and now I'm a pro.