Why I walk and don't run races -- response to "walking a race" (Read 1068 times)

I didn't take the time to read all of the thread concerning walking a race b/c as a walker it bothered me. I coach TNT walkers and we try to teach them some racing etiquette...don't walk more than 2 abreast, move over when runners are coming (hoping they let you know when you are coming), start in the back, don't stop in the middle of water stops (move over at the end of the stop if you much take a break). Let us know when you are coming up (and preferably which side) so we can move. Now to the personal point....I too used to run and wondered why in the world anyone would want to walk a marathon (even though it took me 6:30 hours to "run" my first one). Well, after my first two bouts with cancer, surgeries, chemos, radiation and collapsed lung, I found out why walking was best. Now I have cancer again...bone mets (tailbone, spine & hips). Walking is all I can really do as running jolts the back and it doesn't feel real good (am also hoping I will be able to exercise for a longer time before they tell me to stop). I want to continue to walk and participate to encourage others who may have medical issues. I also continue to participate to help raise money for cancer research and show others you don't have to stop...just maybe slow down a bit! My oncologist also told me that if I wasn't in such good shape I would have not tolerated everything I have been through so well. He and his staff delight in asking me every time I go in (every two weeks for ever and ever) what I'm planning next and encourage me to bring in my medals to show them. Yes, there are some walkers who would like to run, but can't. There are other walkers who just plain like it and have no desire to run. I suggest the runners who have issues with us try to walk (not stroll) a few miles. You'll be surprised at the sore muscles the next day! Next time you are "out of sorts" because a walker is in the race, stop and think why they may be walking.

From the majority of posts by "runners" in that other thread and in pretty much every thread I've ever seen on the subject in a variety of forums it is not walkers being in the race that we have a problem with, it is the walkers (or very slow runners) who don't know the rules and/or get in the way of people who are trying to run fast and compete. You said you tried to teach race ettiquette and this is something we runners apreciate, many of the walkers don't have that knowledge or choose not to act on it and that is the frustration. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those like yourself that cannot run, but are still doing everything you can to stay in shape and be active. I honestly do not think I would be brave enough to conitinue entering events if I knew I would have to walk all or most of the distance.

From the majority of posts by "runners" in that other thread and in pretty much every thread I've ever seen on the subject in a variety of forums it is not walkers being in the race that we have a problem with, it is the walkers (or very slow runners) who don't know the rules and/or get in the way of people who are trying to run fast and compete.

Uh..excuse me, but if walkers are getting in your way then you are competing for anything. Lighten up and have some fun, you are not going to win the race.

please define "slow runners" - at what pace are you considered slow?

Ummm....you have cancer and you think anyone begrudges you for walking??? I think you should have read the whole thread, you would realize that it was more people getting ruffled over things that WERE NOT said than runners having any real problem with walkers (who follow reasonable etiquette). As for the comment about "you're not going to win the race", if you expect a runner to respect your goals in walking you need to respect that someone may have some serious goals in running that don't involve the need to win the race outright to take themselves and their event seriously. Some people seem to hang around just looking for reasons to be offended and creating them when they don't find them. Nobody posted with any serious problems with walkers in principle.

I took the time to actually read the thread, because I was shocked at the thought that this forum would be frowning on anyone running OR walking races. I found two out of sixty responses negative to the idea of walking a race. I mean, jeez, there's really not much to be offended with in that 5 page thread. All people want is for walkers not to line up at the front where they're going to be living moguls for the runners behind them. Other than that, the more the merrier, and everyone here is happy to have more people out and about at the races. More people to drink with at the finish line (bar) imo.

I wasnt offended by you in anyway...my question was for a poster above who was talking about walkers and "slow runners" so I was curious.

I wasnt offended by you in anyway...my question was for a poster above who was talking about walkers and "slow runners" so I was curious.

What I meant by slow runners was the people who line up well in front of where their ability dictates and therefore still act as roadblock to the people behind them. I'm talking about the folks who know they will finish in the back or near the back, but still insist on lining up in the first couple of rows. Just to make it perfectly clear I heartily encourage people of all levels to come to and participate in races, but following just a few simple rules makes the event more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Uh..excuse me, but if walkers are getting in your way then you are competing for anything. Lighten up and have some fun, you are not going to win the race.

Actually I have won several races, and even if I'm not competing for the overall win I'm still trying to run as fast as I can. Sometimes walkers and slow runners (as described above) do not line up where they are supposed to. As an example last weekend I ran a race with almost 7000 people, there were several people who were quite a bit faster than me, so I didn't get one the front row I was about 10 rows back. However, between the front row and me were several people who had no business being that close to a race with that many people and it was so crowded I couldn't get any closer. Ultimately I finished 35th overall and 2nd in my age group after literally slolaming through the first mile, so while I wasn't going ot win the overal race I was certainly competing. After that experience I realized that not lining up in the correct position is not only a frustration to the faster runner, but also potentially dangerous to both the slower runner in front and the faster runner behind. I saw and was almost involved in several near collisions between a runner trying to go fast with nowhere to go and no way to stop momentum.