New runner, training for 1/2 Marathon (Read 1808 times)

To the non-runner, the marathon has an allure that other races just do not. And because the half marathon has the word "marathon" in it, it works almost as well at cocktail parties.

Huh? So is that all old BS or outdated BS about 1/10 of 1% of the world population can complete a marathon? Do I have nothing (other than an 18:00 5K) to aspire to in my running future? There is no badge of honor in running a marathon?

That young lady who took Mikey’s comment as “resentment toward slower ‘runners’”, I’m sorry, but it seems to me you are the one, along with some (quite a few, as a matter of fact) others as far as I’m concerned, who has a huge chip on your shoulder. Just the fact that you’re afraid you might finish last in some local race shows that YOU are the one who have a complex toward being slow. What’s wrong with finishing last? At least you’re out there, trying! That’s the whole argument, isn’t it? Or is it about not trying to run fast? It sounded to me that you have resentment toward those who try to go faster.

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Many people don’t give a damn about improving their performance and that’s perfectly fine. But just the fact, by glancing at this thread, I’ve found 4 or 5 people, including the original poster, saying, right from the get-go, that they “can’t run fast” or “running fast scares me”. If this is not setting out a low standard for yourself, I don’t know what is. Most people go through their lives, NEVER realizing their full potential because they NEVER apply themselves to excel. These people are destined to be ordinary. That’s fine—that is why it’s called “ordinary”! Setting out to run 10 miles, or a half marathon, or a full marathon, or running a 5k fast…those alone are already an extraordinary feat. If I remember it correctly (someone with correct statistics???), only 3% of entire population (of the US, I believe) finish a marathon. Even just running, I’ll bet probably somewhere around 10% actually engage running as a regular activity. Don’t ever settle for some low standard. You’ve already taken that all-important first step—to get out and start running. Don’t sell yourself short. You CAN do better. Some may call me an elitist S.O.B. but, oh, well, what can I do…?

Why is it setting a low standard to accept that I'm slow? I know I'll get faster as I increase my weekly mileage, but it's a fact that my body has limitations. .