Repeat After Me: Running Slow Is Ok

After my last post, I continued to read various blogs about being a runner.  In many of them, there were comments about the Pearl Imuzi ad.    There was definitely some heartburn among us real runners about how they defined "a runner" partially by speed.    And come on, 7 minute miles and VO Max being the magic tipping point - you had to laugh at that!  My hope is that their shoes are better quality than their ads.  Lordy knows, my feet won't ever find out.

I am proud to say that I am slow.  I have been slow forever.  God gave me many gifts, but a  runners form and body wasn't among them.   I have the proud honor of finishing dead last in 3 races and in the bottom 5 in 3 more.  In two of the races, they weren't even waiting for me anymore - even the sag wagons couldn't go that slow.   And if you have ever been passed by the sag wagon because you are too slow - you know the mixed emotion of pure devastation and also definance ("hell with you - don't need you anyway").

I may lack speed, form, and substance, but I tend to make up for it with heart, determination and genuine care/support to other runners.   And in reading blogs by the many other runners out there, I know that I am not alone.  Many of us aren't elite runners but excel in the gutty emotion it takes to make our bodies do what they were NOT built to accomplish.

The best example of this isn't my story, but instead the story of IM Able.  She recently completed a half ironman (WOW!), and finished dead last.   I add that last phrase not in sadness or pity, but as a statement of accomplishment.   She portrays the definition of a triathlete and a runner.   

And on a separate but humorous note, go back to Joe's site to get a good laugh from a super short video clip about being a runner.

Photo of turtles by bkaehny

Comments

[Danielle in Iowa]

Gees, that Pearl Izumi page kinda made me sick. Ironically PI had a team in a 200 mile relay in CO I did last year and their team came in less than an hour ahead of our team over a 28 hour course. We were a fairly rag tag bunch of folks and don't live at altitude like the PI folks did. Some of us even wore earphones! Gasp!

[Bob Gentile]

Good Post & ya seen that adv. as well, I am slow too...wasn't that offended by the adv. but did see how some could be. All I know is slow or now at least we have a great community of blogland runners that are off the coach running ...

ummm when we are not blogging--LOL nice blog & I will be back to read some more:-)

[David from Johnston]

Keep up the good work, from one slow runner to another. Some may see being slow as a weakness but you should see it as one of the gifts from God. Re-read 2 Cor 11:30 and boast as Paul did, of your weaknesses.

[Miranda]

I agree with you--speed is relative. It's the heart and determination possessed by a runner that really defines him or her. I've seen that Pearl Izumi ad and I think it can be interpreted in different ways (there was a good thread about it on Runner's World Online a while back), but it definitely comes off as snobby and elitist.

[Brian]

Great post... You and Tom always have these great links that I have no clue how you find. Keep up the good work.

And yes, speed is relative. Was running a half marathon last year and I was maybe 6 miles into it when the lead gazelles came around the corner. Since the 6 mile looped back towards the finish he was about to be done. He ran 13.1 miles per hour for 13 miles! I hadn't even done half the run and he was done. If we go at our own speed, we will most likely do the best running we have ever done. No matter the speed.

[BethB]

Slow runners unite! Hey, we get to the finish, afterall. I like this post because it talks to the heart of what running is about for all of us who never enter the race contemplating a "win."

Would you mind sharing this post (and others like it) with the Accelerade.com community? You have a way with words and a great perspective on the sport that would be a welcome voice in the community.

Here is the url: http://www.accelerade.com/team/Default.aspx

Thanks!

[kara]

Being fit and feeling great is what's important - not speed.
Very honest post - thanks for sharing.

[Amy]

Thanks for your comments. It is so good to hear the support of real runners like you who run normal times, wear headphones, know the lead pack finishes after you cross the half way point. Yes siree - we are the heart and soul of running!

[Maggie Mae]

This reminds me of a local 5K I ran once to benefit a high school post-prom party...the race consisted of me, my husband, and the high school cross country team. From the moment we crossed the start, our fate was sealed.

The irony? i placed first in my age group. :-)

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[Brand Bikinis]

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Good ! very good!

[Air Max Lebron]

The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.

[Air Max Store]

The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.

[coach outlet store]

This is the one we did, isn't it??? It's one of my all time favorite runs.

[Air Max 95]

This sounds like one fun race. Can't wait to check out the pictures. Good luck Amy and Tom!

[Home Security Houston]

Among those posts I've seen, this is the most particular one, and I think the blogger must have spent lots of time on it, thank you so much!