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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:
PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 05/04/2023 08:25

No, absolutely not.

And it's all relative as well. I suspect you'd think of me as a fast runner, but I'm one of the slowest at my running club. Others waaaay faster than me there are encouraging and positive too.

If I'm racing, I'm trying to beat my own times, and those I've set myself. I might be trying to beat the person who is just in front of me on the finishing straight, or the one powering up behind me. But I am definitely not judging those further behind.

I volunteer at parkrun and happily cheer on every last runner - and as a pp said, walking breaks are fine and normal

Slowsteps · 05/04/2023 08:27

I’m not fast anymore but when I was, no never.

Maybe the only ones who do are the MAMIL equivalents. But who cares- they judge everyone! And I’m not sure this is a thing in running.

Teamladybirdladybird · 05/04/2023 08:29

I enjoy running and am definitely not fast. Whenever I see anyone out running be it fast or slow, all I think is "good on you" and mentally applaud them

needastrongoneagain · 05/04/2023 08:32

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.

Absolutely agree with this re overestimating finish times, for whatever the reason.

I'm usually in the faster pens, and there are few women in there. We all tend to set off at our own realistic pace. It's genuinely not a generalisation to say it's usually men who set off way too quickly. You know you're going to catch them, so inwardly smile and think - see you when I overtake you later 😂.

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 08:52

needastrongoneagain · 05/04/2023 08:32

Absolutely agree with this re overestimating finish times, for whatever the reason.

I'm usually in the faster pens, and there are few women in there. We all tend to set off at our own realistic pace. It's genuinely not a generalisation to say it's usually men who set off way too quickly. You know you're going to catch them, so inwardly smile and think - see you when I overtake you later 😂.

Show quote history

Usually that's inexperience though or your brain not being prepared to accept you're not as fast as you were

evilharpy · 05/04/2023 08:58

I used to run with a club. My 10k time was generally around 55 minutes and I was one of the slowest in the club. The fastest guys were always the ones who hung around near the finish line cheering until the very last of us had finished. PBs were celebrated whether it was a 15 minute or 30 minute 5k. I never ever felt judged.

I have heard of other clubs being much less inclusive though.

WalkLong · 05/04/2023 09:00

evilharpy · 05/04/2023 08:58

I used to run with a club. My 10k time was generally around 55 minutes and I was one of the slowest in the club. The fastest guys were always the ones who hung around near the finish line cheering until the very last of us had finished. PBs were celebrated whether it was a 15 minute or 30 minute 5k. I never ever felt judged.

I have heard of other clubs being much less inclusive though.

I wouldn't say that was a particularly inclusive club if the slowest 10k was 55 mins 😆

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 05/04/2023 09:00

I saw a great post from Brighton Marathon this week on FB I think, celebrating their final finisher, who was 9hr 40 I think, and the support for her was amazing.
The slower runners, especially in a race or event, are putting in as much effort as the faster ones, for a longer period of time. So, kudos.

brooksghost · 05/04/2023 09:03

Nope, I never judge other runners and their speeds. You don't know if they are doing a recovery run, a speed session or a social chatty run. You also don't know what a persons been through to get to that point...health issues, injuries, new runners...no one has a clue about that runner.

Go out and enjoy your run at a speed that is comfortable for you and don't worry what others think.

ZacharinaQuack · 05/04/2023 09:13

I used to be quite fast, and would never judge someone for running 13 minute miles.

If you're planning to enter your first organised 10k, my advice would be to pick a big event and check the previous finishing times to make sure there will be plenty of other people running at a similar pace. That way you'll get a proper race experience surrounded by other runners, as opposed to a smaller event where runners might be stretched out more and you might end up running on your own.

Puffinpanic · 05/04/2023 09:15

No I don’t.

I go to a lovely running club with amazing fast runners and race winners, and others of all sizes and ages and ability. Everyone is welcomed and supported where they are at.

Beantag · 05/04/2023 09:19

I love running so after many years of 'training' I'm fairly quick and can run a fair distance, but no I'd never judge another runner! I find in races there are people who want a PB or to win their category, but I've always found even those very supportive of others. Everyone else gets on with it and have seen many wonderful shows of support for others. It's a great achievement heading out for a run or signing up for a race whatever the distance or speed.

Mercurial123 · 05/04/2023 09:26

I'm a pretty rubbish runner. My friends who do Iron Man competitions and marathons are nothing but supportive of us who are less experienced or slow.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 05/04/2023 09:31

I was slow when I started, I became faster with training, but then had a knee issue and did not run fir a bit and I’m now slower, so no, I don’t judge.

I think good for you for getting out there and doing something good for your body and mind.

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 05/04/2023 09:48

ZacharinaQuack · 05/04/2023 09:13

I used to be quite fast, and would never judge someone for running 13 minute miles.

If you're planning to enter your first organised 10k, my advice would be to pick a big event and check the previous finishing times to make sure there will be plenty of other people running at a similar pace. That way you'll get a proper race experience surrounded by other runners, as opposed to a smaller event where runners might be stretched out more and you might end up running on your own.

I definitely agree with the 2nd point. I'm a plodder, a good 10k for my little fat legs is 1 hour 15 minutes (and I don't always get close to that) so I'm invariably towards the back of most events, but usually with company...something I really underestimated the value of when I entered a smaller event hosted by a running club.

The atmosphere was still supportive and welcoming for all abilities, but being at the back of the pack with only one or two people just about in sight and with the tail walkers close behind you really dropped my spirits and I literally dragged myself over the finishing line.

Being dead last isn't a problem for me, it was the isolation of being a sole back runner that wasn't fun.

lljkk · 05/04/2023 09:51

I was chatting other day to acquaintance who is unhappy with how unfit she has become & her current weight. She sheepishly made a comparison to someone who is an ironman triathlete. I almost wanted to scold her. He's on a different plane to her (to us). He probably worked hard for years to get there but also has a genetic / age / sex / starting place advantage.

One thing that put me off yoga classes I attended is how constantly the yoga instructors shared their insecurities with the group. Is there something about yoga that makes people feel insecure or like they have to reassure everyone else's insecurities? Flipping yoga made into something competitive, which activity is basically structured stretching.

Humans are daft. Totally daft.

StamppotAndGravy · 05/04/2023 09:56

The only time I judge is during races when runners massively over estimate their speed and start in the wrong wave. They get in everyone's way, especially the ones running in groups and chatting so you can't get round them. There's no shame starting in a later wave, but don't spoil it for everyone else.

For normal everyday running, I just think it's great that you're out there doing it. The more people who run, the better! I try to smile and say hello to everyone running

Yayasisterhood · 05/04/2023 09:57

I haven’t done many competitions but generally when I see people out and about running, the slower they are the more I support them. I know how hard it can be to put your trainers on and get out there, especially if you’re slower, so extra special love for the people slowly plodding round the park.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 05/04/2023 09:57

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?

A philosophy that could be very usefully applied to a lot of life situations.

Allschoolsareartschools · 05/04/2023 10:04

Years ago when I first started running I entered a local 10k where most other runners were from an athletic club & much faster than me.

I came last but I will never forget how kind & motivating the tail runner was & the encouragement I got to cross that finish line & cheers when I finally got there!

It really inspired me to carry on running & give it my best shot. I've never been super fast but I've done lots of 10ks & half marathons since that first race & it's always great to see so many abilities.

I'm often a spectator these days & I love seeing everyone cross the line at a half marathon, from the fastest elite runner (can't relate!) to the slowest finisher, the achievement is the same & just one of the many reasons I love running.

Teawaster · 05/04/2023 16:56

I'm fast for my age but I take great pleasure in seeing everyone exceed their expectations after putting in an effort , whatever their level. If I was ever to rise above my station I would remind myself that it's all relative .I am slow in comparison to top athletes and unless you are Kipchoge there is always going to be someone faster than you and indeed slower.

gogohmm · 05/04/2023 16:58

Where I used to run in the midlands the faster runners seemed supportive of us slow ones, and where I currently live elsewhere it's very friendly but I've done London based parkruns a couple of times and they were super sniffy of slow ones, even the volunteers, overheard them saying the slow one were obviously tourists because locals are fitter when I was at oneConfused

Emanresu9 · 05/04/2023 17:00

I am around 28-30 mins 5km so not a fast runner but at park run I think “good for you” on everyone coming in after me. Have genuinely never thought anything other than that.

Sheruns · 05/04/2023 19:04

I'm probably faster than the average female amateur runner (46 min 10k at my peak, but do marathons now so I'm slower ) and I can honestly say I don't judge. Like someone upthread said, races tend to be organised so the slowest go last so you rarely see people slower than you. The only exception is races where there are laps and it can be a bit frustrating if you're going for a pb and someone is in the way but that's what you get at events which are laps.

As someone who tries almost daily to persuade all my friends to become runners, when I see a runner who isn't fast or looks like a newbie I honestly want to give them a cheer or a beep if I'm driving but I tend not to for fear of looking like a weirdo pervert 😂 so I just give a big smile!

FettleOfKish · 05/04/2023 19:49

I came last but I will never forget how kind & motivating the tail runner was & the encouragement I got to cross that finish line & cheers when I finally got there!

I love this! A guy I know through the local running community is a fast fast runner but also about the most encouraging person I've met. He did a local race twice when covid staggered start times permitted it; ran it himself in the first wave then got a lift back to the start and tail walked the last wave to cheer on and encourage the slower runners.

I cheer at the finish of our local marathon every year and I stay and whoop and holler every last person across that line no matter how long it takes them. They're better at running than I am, I've never done a marathon! To my mind the person who's been out on the course in pain for 7 hours deserves it just as much (or even more!) than the guy who runs professionally and smashed through it in under 3 hours.