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Original poster

Fast runners - Be honest - do you judge slow runners?

97 replies

kayakrent · 05/04/2023 07:54

Are there any runners out there that judge slow runners?

Do you think that a certain pace is not considered as running?

Do you secretly think other things about the people that are plodding slowly or maybe walk/running ?

I am a slow runner and thinking about doing a 10k race but will be near the back of the pack and May need some walking breaks - but I hate the thought of being judged by everyone faster than me.

OP posts:
HappyValet · 05/04/2023 07:57

Following because I bloody hope not...

I'll never be fast. I try not to be embarrassed. Even at my fittest I only have little legs that don't take very big strides.

I'd have thought it's less about speed and more about being an arsehole?

lljkk · 05/04/2023 08:01

Ah come on gals, who cares what they think???

Do you suppose Olympians look at ParkRunners & sneer, "Amateurs." And if they did, that's on them (the sneerers), not a character deficit in the PkRnrs.

ShowOfHands · 05/04/2023 08:01

I don't. Not a jot. I'm a medium-fast runner (23min 5k, 48min 10k are my PBs). Don't pay any attention to other runners bar thinking "good on you".

But some people are arseholes and they shout out of van windows or jeer from the pavement. They don't discern however. They like to be arseholes to everybody. "Fuck you" is the mantra to keep in mind.

ShowOfHands · 05/04/2023 08:03

Oh I'm a slooooooow swimmer btw. There are arseholes in the pool too. Like the wanker who chooses whichever lane is quietest and literally swims over the top of you in his splashy efforts, swearing at you for getting in his way. Er, this is the slow lane mate. Fuck off elsewhere.

Arseholes, they're everywhere.

WineThief · 05/04/2023 08:03

I'm not "fast' fast, but can say absolutely not.

From a practical POV, the fast runners don't even see the slower runners in a race. They set off earlier and run faster, therefore never mingle with people much slower during the course of a race.

Anyway, I have found that people are only ever focused on themselves and pay no attention to what's happening elsewhere in the field.

The atmosphere at races is usually very supportive, and those that have finished earlier will either head home early or stay to cheer and clap those that are still out running.

It really is one of the least judgemental sports there is!

CBAironing · 05/04/2023 08:04

Definitely not!! Fast runners were slow runners once. Running is hard! I think well done and go you to every runner, fast or slow.

seperatedmum · 05/04/2023 08:05

steady runners you mean? not I don't judge them

SpideysMummy · 05/04/2023 08:05

I used to be fast (pre kids), I’m now solidly mid-pack if I try really hard 😂

I’m pleased for anyone who is getting out and having a good time. Be that a 15 minute 5km or a 50 minute 5km.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 05/04/2023 08:07

Come on op.
In life most people are decent but there are always going to be a few arseholes.
I am not a fast runner but I can tell you this for certain:
Most of the fast runners won’t notice you.
A few will be thinking warm positive thoughts.
There will be one or two pathetic specimens whose self esteem is so low they have to shore it up by looking down on people who simply run differently from them. (Even though you might actually be way more talented than them in other areas of life.) But why would you let them, of all people, be the ones to determine what you do?

needastrongoneagain · 05/04/2023 08:09

I am a fast runner (for my age, 51 - marathon time last year 3.18)

I am also a run leader and take a social runners group weekly on an appropriately 6 mile run. All paces welcome, we go at the pace that suits everyone. No judgement here.

That said, we've had people accuse our club of being elitist because we ask that, to join a club run, folk are able to run for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. If not, they are most welcome to join our beginners or improvers group, and we will get them to that standard.

So I guess there's a middle ground!

A mile is a mile, whatever the pace in my view 😊

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 08:10

Most fast runners were once slow runners and lots of slow runners used to be fast and we've all had runs that went badly.

I've been at both ends. IME all runners are genuinely supportive of anyone who wants to run.

As a decent runner I find it hard to offer encouragement that doesn't sound patronising, but I do genuinely mean that I'm impressed that you've managed to move your parkrun time from 32 to 31 minutes or that I sympathise that you're struggling to come back after illness even though your times were slower than mine in the first place.

I love seeing anyone of any age/weight/ability having a go.

UnaOfStormhold · 05/04/2023 08:10

No, generally the steadier runners are working at least as hard as me, and often harder, so are totally deserving of respect. I do occasionally get mildly frustrated if they start off at the front on a narrow race or running 2 or 3 abreast and are difficult to pass, but otherwise not at all.

MagpiePi · 05/04/2023 08:10

I used to run but can’t now because of injury, so I am jealous of anyone I see doing even a slow shuffle.

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 08:11

I often say it's harder to run a race knowing you might come last than knowing you could win. And I mean it, massive respect for those who are out on the course longest.

LolaSmiles · 05/04/2023 08:12

No judgement here. Anyone out running is getting their body moving and has taken the step to get off the sofa. At events everyone is doing their own thing. There's usually a really nice atmosphere. We were all beginners at one point. I definitely walked some of my first 10km event.

There's one time I do have judgement for: when they put an estimated time in for big events like popular half marathons start in the pen for a reasonable but not fast time, and then are walking within the first couple of km before the field has spread out so everyone has to jostle round them. The event that that's happened at allows people to move back a time zone if your training hasn't gone to plan and it's all chip timed when you cross the lines. There's no advantage going in a time zone that you're not trained for.

inshitsville · 05/04/2023 08:13

Is there something you're good at, OP, where you look at others and think "you sad ol soul"?

People who are naturally good at something often look at the not-so-good others with a sense of encouragement and "good on you" attitude. Well, I do anyway.

I'm a sloooow runner but think it's good to be out, fast OR slow.

StillWantingADog · 05/04/2023 08:14

Generally no.
But if you do a 10k and start off in the front with all the faster runners and generally get in their way then yes! So don’t do that. The recent 10k I did there were plenty of slowish people at the back and they got just as much of a cheer, or even more, than the faster runners

Original poster
kayakrent · 05/04/2023 08:16

I thought I had seen or read somewhere that 13 minute miles are not considered as running. That just seems to have stuck in my head. So now if I was to say I'm running a 10k, a part of me feels that I'm actually not.

OP posts:
FettleOfKish · 05/04/2023 08:17

I'm not fast, but I'm faster than some, and the answer is soundly NO.

There's a chap does our Parkrun every week, it takes him an hour or so. He's done it nearly 300 times, rain or shine, and volunteers for pre-event set up every single week too. He's much, much more dedicated than I'll ever be and he's still moving a hell of a lot faster than everyone still in bed.

The quickest runners at our Parkrun often walk back along the finishing stretch and cheer people on.

The only time I've ever thought 'WTF?' was a 'runner' having a cigarette during the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon (lots of non-runners who just want the medals take part) and that wasn't so much at her not being a runner, it was the absolute rudeness of smoking right in the middle of a pack of people running.

Ps.. A walking break is not any kind of failure. All you're doing is taking a moment to reset so you can carry on. It took me a long time to learn that x

ThursdayLastWeek · 05/04/2023 08:17

IME people are far too self absorbed to be noticing others, let alone judge them. (I include myself in this!)

In your example, all the faster runners will be ahead of you and thinking about their own race!

Wedoronron · 05/04/2023 08:18

My kids are in quite a serious athletic club. When they attend national races some of the club members come in the top 5 some in the around the 150 mark. The kids who came in early stand and cheer everyone coming in from the club equally. Some of the most exciting races are between the neck and neck race of two lads fighting it out for 98th. It's about pushing yourself. We do park run and everyone is clapped. I've dropped from.about a 28 mins to about 45 mins due to ill health and get the same respect!

BuzzyBusyBee · 05/04/2023 08:20

Nope - not at all! 19min 5km runner here and not once have I ever thought badly of a slower runner. I would 100% rather see people out and about, enjoying the fresh air and getting some exercise.

Slow swimmers on the other hand….absolutely no issue with people swimming slowly, but gives me lane rage when they do so in the fast lane of a public lane session! Not angry at their speed, just angry at their lack of awareness/understanding meaning no one can enjoy their swim!

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 08:22

I ran in the County Cross Country League this winter. It's an important event for the really good runners, standards are high, the best runners in the county are there andr
for some events the winners will qualify to represent the county.

There are slower runners there too though. The women's race goes first and is scheduled to be all done before the men are due to start. At one event they hadn't quite timed it right and there were still a couple of runners out when the men's race was due to start. 100s of men all lined up ready to start their (to them) very important race but these women still needed to cross the finish (the same line as the start).

As the last women arrived the crowd split to let them through and there was a cheer like a goal had been scored at a big football match. The men were applauding enthusiasticly, shouting genuine words of enouragement. These very slow women were beaming. It made me cry. 🙂

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 08:24

ThursdayLastWeek · 05/04/2023 08:17

IME people are far too self absorbed to be noticing others, let alone judge them. (I include myself in this!)

In your example, all the faster runners will be ahead of you and thinking about their own race!

I don't think that's actually true in running. IME the fast runners will run their race but still hang around to support the slower ones.

SwimmingAgainstTheTides · 05/04/2023 08:24

I admire anyone who puts a pair of trainers on and attempts to run, it's not easy. Most people l know run to improve mental health, not for speed. If anyone is judging you it says alot more about them than you. Keep running, enjoy running and run happily at your own pace.