RunningAHEAD - Topic: Survey: are you "slow?"

Wingz

Professional Noob

posted: 5/20/2006 at 9:07 AM

I've noticed what a wide range of people call themselves "slow" and "really slow" and sometimes even "really really slow." Let's see a show of hands: in general, are you... a) Really fast b) Fast c) Average d) Slow e) Really slow Don't post your times unless you really really want to. I'm really just curious how many people consider themselves slow vs fast, not the actual speeds. I'll start us out: I'm "really slow." Cool

Roads were made for journeys...

Pron8r

posted: 5/20/2006 at 1:19 PM
modified: 5/20/2006 at 1:22 PM

Well, there's always someone faster than me, and always someone slower than me. So, how do you measure whether you are slow or fast? I manage to hold my own in the races I run, and generally place in the top 3 in my age group (50-54) in half-marathons and below (and often run fast enough to place in several age groups younger). In marathons, I don't often place in the top 3, but I don't often expect to, either. Against many on this forum, I am really slow. Against those in the AARP, I suppose I am really fast. However--running is a personal endeavor, and you are only competing against yourself (easy for a senior runner to say, eh). And using myself as my own measure, am I as fast as I think I can or will be? No. Am I faster than I was last year? I think so. Like the words from the song (and applying them to running): I'm not as good as I once was, but once I'm as good as I ever was (or something like that). I will say this, though--if you are running, at any speed, my hat's off to you. Yes, if you are running at all, you are ahead of the great majority of people that never have or will run. Ok, I've waxed philosophical long enough. Gotta run. (Oh--and on your list, I guess I would put me somewhere between b & c.)

My Masters (>50) Race PR's: 5K - 20:17 10K - 42:36 HM - 1:31:22 Marathon - 3:20:48

JohnnyDx

Into the wild

posted: 5/20/2006 at 6:19 PM

Hi, my name is John; and I'm slow. There....I said it Clowning around

All the best, Johnny

Shut _up ^and _run

lisak

posted: 5/21/2006 at 8:57 PM

I'm lisa and I'm slow....but I keep on going and going and...it works for me!

Cincinnati Flying Pig May 4

Hawk Runner

posted: 5/22/2006 at 12:56 PM

I am Sam, Sam I am ... I am slow to average depending on the day, wind speed and direction Wink

"It is very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runner. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit." George Sheehan

vicentefrijole

posted: 5/22/2006 at 1:31 PM

On one day I was (b) for the first 22 miles, then (e) for the last 4.2 miles. Blush

(It didn't feel very good, either.)

maryhanna

posted: 5/22/2006 at 6:38 PM

When I first started running last September at age 41, I thought I was very slow because I had race walker 10 years earlier and was also as fast walking as running. Now, after running against my own time and pace and having won 2 in my age group in a few races, I consider myself .....faster than slow but not fast. Tongue

... On some days.... I feel like I am crawling.... but I get home and post my time and distance and I have done quite good. On other days I feel like I am flying and I tell myself to slow down ... (these old bones aren't what they used to be)..... All in all, I general stay right around the say pace, it is just my preception I guess based off my attitude, amount of sleep deprivation, and motivatiion Confused

Best to all.... Mary

Lifesabeach

posted: 5/23/2006 at 12:16 AM
modified: 5/23/2006 at 12:17 AM

I think I'm average...nothing wrong with mediocraty. Wink

It's the story of my life...never terrible but never a standout. Smile

wanted to add...I'm in the 35-39 age group. dang. those chicks are fast! Shocked

Jennifer mm#1231

backroadrunner

posted: 5/23/2006 at 10:32 AM

I'd say I'm slow to very slow. In my first 25K, I finished 4197th out of 5222 finishers. I averaged about 10:45/mile, which is better than usual for me on a long run (usually 12min+), so I was pretty excited & feeling pretty darn speedy...for me. So, I finished in the last 1000, but I also started in the back 50 or so of a group of 7000 runners & managed to pass the ones that dropped out (ok, so that isn't that impressive), but also that 1000 that I did come in ahead of! I train alone 99% of the time, and I think having people next to me for encouragement kept me running at a faster pace. I'm now addicted to running & racing. I don't have any intentions of winning any races, just doing my personal best each time. I could care less what my time or placement is, as long as I did my best. Man, I sound like my mother talking to me as a child!! Maybe because I'm slow... Eryn

So do not get tired and stop trying. - Hebrews 12:3

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 5/23/2006 at 12:40 PM

Quote from backroadrunner on 5/23/2006 at 10:32 AM:

Man, I sound like my mother talking to me as a child!! Maybe because I'm slow... Eryn

Hush, you...you're still faster than me. We need a choice 'F'...snail's pace... Wink

k

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

johnnypebs

posted: 5/24/2006 at 1:11 PM

I'm gonna go with slow, but improving. Pebs

The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare. -- Juma Ikangaa, Tanzanian marathoner

Help to defeat Lou Gehrig's Disease. Please sponsor me in The Ride to Defeat ALS. I'm riding in memory of my dad.
http://runpebsrun.blogspot.com

Runreno

posted: 5/24/2006 at 1:29 PM

Slow and fast are all relative. Someone with the world record is the fastest. What about age. Is the person with the world record for 90 year old fast. Yes and no. Yes in their age group but no compared to an above average 30 year old. It really comes down to our own records. When I was younger I ran 29:40 for 10k at 52 now I run 34:20. I do not consider myself fast any more just content and enjoying competeing against the younger kids and making them sweat.

www.running-distance-tips.com

jlynnbob

You'll ruin your knees!

posted: 5/26/2006 at 11:57 AM

Sometimes when running early in the morning, I get to going so fast that I am passing trees and rocks like they're standing still Shocked

. (...but pretty soon, they close up the gap) Lynn B

""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 5/26/2006 at 3:46 PM

Quote from jlynnbob on 5/26/2006 at 11:57 AM:

Sometimes when running early in the morning, I get to going so fast that I am passing trees and rocks like they're standing still . (...but pretty soon, they close up the gap) Lynn B

:snort:

k

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

Wingz

Professional Noob

posted: 5/26/2006 at 9:38 PM

I know exactly what you mean!

Roads were made for journeys...

Survey: are you "slow?" (Read 1095 times)