Last night was the Red Mule Runners Annual Christmas party. I sincerely truly honestly love to be in the presence of other runners. Especially in a tavern. Got so excited – home shortly after eight p.m. – stayed up until almost eleven. What follows was written January 2015. I had not yet given up…
Turns out I have used this title before. https://www.jackdogwelch.com/?p=222
Been struggling with the current running environment. My entire position and awareness has been one of astonishment and whiskey tango foxtrot. Really? – JDW
Was trying to explain myself, telling an interviewer I am still struggling to come to grips with slower times, bigger medals, higher entry fees, less training. Costumes.
I was interviewed a few months ago by Paul Duffau
Remember mentioned we sounded like a couple of old guys lamenting the good old days.
When we walked to school uphill through the snow both ways. Into headwinds.
I don’t want to come across as a curmudgeonly grandpa trying to do a buzzkill on today’s runners.
The difference in the sport today vis a vis back during the first running boom… it has become TWO sports. Maybe.
There are those who race runs, personified currently best by the East Africans, Galen Rupp and Shalane Flanagan, and there are those who participate in events where running takes place.
Just last month I attended the Honolulu Marathon. Didn’t get invited to the VIP Luau but did get to visit with the race’s founder. Gives you some idea of my career arc.
First ran Honolulu in 1978. I finished 149th of 7204 finishers in 2:54:23. Races like that are what earned me the title of “World’s Slowest Professional Runner.”
In 2014, thirty-six years later, that time was good for 63rd place. And the conditions might’ve been better.
With a field three times the size. Only sixteen athletes from the USA finished faster.
And what does this say about the race, the sport?
Obviously, more people going slower. Going slower is a sport I am still struggling to understand.
I saw a statistic which said the average marathon time in the days of old was 3:45 and today it is 4:45. The sport is going backwards.
Just as money is not speech, fat is not fit. No matter what they tell you.
When Running was Young and So Were We is an above-average book about the sport. If I do say so myself. I put the book together so today’s participants might gain some insight into what I am talking about when I talk about running. Back in the day, as a grandpa might say, the only records which counted were miles run and speed. Personal bests really counted.
The fun of the event was the effort, the struggle, the sense of accomplishment, the competition.
Nobody gave a crap about trophies, and medals were unheard of. Although we did get a little excited when the concept of finisher’s t-shirts was introduced.
Because there were so few of us finishing.
My expression of amazement and my willingness to point fingers has cost me some hugs. But, I’ll be honest, all I was asking is if you are going to call yourself a runner, you damn well better be trying your hardest to go your fastest.
That’s the sport.
All the rest of that stuff is marketing, product diversification, consumer expansion. It’s networking, it’s social.
That’s an activity. And now I think I understand.
Especially since I find myself in events where I go very slowly and still have a good time. By which I mean I enjoy myself.
Sad part is I am still trying my hardest to go my fastest.
Seeking good times is what it’s all about, right?