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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:
imnotthatkindofmum · 05/04/2023 19:50

Not at all. We were all slow runners once upon a time! I started C25K like many others do.

arethereanyleftatall · 05/04/2023 19:55

No.

fellrunner85 · 06/04/2023 07:38

No. I was a steadier runner once and now I'm a bit quicker (10k time has gone from 65 kins to 42 mins over the years) and when I see slower runners I tend to remember how hard it was being out there for longer. Most runners I know at a similar pace to me (ie decent ish club runners but not super speedy) were slower once. Very few of us were naturally sporty kids who have always run; we just got into it through c25k and never stopped.

Agree with the frustration upthread with people - almost always men - starting races in the wrong place though. If you run 10 minute miles, don't start in the 3:30 pack for a marathon and trip everyone up as they're forced to weave around you to get past.
You see very few women doing this; as most of us have a good idea of our own capabilities, and will pace races accordingly rather than going off at ego-pace and then blowing up..

illiterato · 06/04/2023 08:02

No but I have left running FB groups as I found slower runners constantly shut down conversations/ threads by faster runners which was frustrating.

eg there was one woman who trained all out for a sub 3:30 marathon, and then didn’t get it. Expressed her disappointment to be at with a lot of “ well. If you’ve made us 5:30 marathoners fee like shit. Thx”

so I think it can cut both ways.

Mangolist · 06/04/2023 08:06

I'm pretty slow and I judge myself! I'm nearly 60 so know I'll never do better than a 30 min 5k but still get cross!

Mangolist · 06/04/2023 08:07

I did a half marathon and it took me 3 hrs and 6 mins. Must admit I was super proud at the time but now feel pissed off it wasn't under 3!

fellrunner85 · 06/04/2023 08:28

I found slower runners constantly shut down conversations/ threads by faster runners which was frustrating

I've seen this on MN too, tbh, but not for a long time. One particular thread comes to mind where a new runner was insulting towards more experienced runners and told them to get off the thread because it was for new runners only (!)
I've never really understood that. As a new runner I always wanted advice from people who'd been there before. It really helped me with things like figuring out how much to up my distance by, the debate around stability shoes, and when not to run (the "above the neck" rule was a game changer!)

schnausages · 06/04/2023 08:35

Absolutely not!

I have found running to be (generally) a really inclusive sport. I'm a middle of the road runner and I LOVE seeing the newer/slower runners finish as much as the speedy ones. It's so satisfying seeing how much people get from it, whatever time they finish it in.

Think how proud you would be of how far or fast you can run now when you first laced up your trainers and give yourself a stern talking to!

CosyFanTucci · 06/04/2023 08:36

Of course not!

BigBundleOfFluff · 06/04/2023 08:39

Absolutely not. I used to be a fast runner, then after kids was a slow and steady runner. Now I'm a non runner full of admiration (and a small pang of jealously) when I see any runner.

Clementineorsatsuma · 06/04/2023 08:57

I'm a 60 yo overweight slow runner. Currently regularly do 10km, and doing a half marathon this year, and I'll never be fast.
I once got surrounded by a group of jeering 30 something men. It was when I was training for my last half. I said "Fine- I'm doing 10 miles non stop. Do it with me but faster and THEN you can jeer". The ringleader apologised, told them all to stop and sloped off red faced. I didn't stop shaking for the whole 10 miles.

headache · 06/04/2023 09:01

I just asked my DH a sub 2 1/2 marathon runner and he said absolutely not, better to be a slow runner than a non runner. No one should be judging anyone for getting off their bums and running.

Fibonacci13 · 06/04/2023 09:07

I listen to the Runners World podcast which is fab. I can only run 5km in about 37 mins (my best is 34 mins) so I'm v slow but I listened to one of their podcasts recently about how important run walk is for training let alone anything else.

The podcasts are really inspirational and they talk to a lot of people who are not super fast but just enjoy running. It's really spurred me on to keep going even though I'll never be quick! Worth listening to if you are worried about being slow!

Original poster
kayakrent · 06/04/2023 09:08

Fibonacci13 · 06/04/2023 09:07

I listen to the Runners World podcast which is fab. I can only run 5km in about 37 mins (my best is 34 mins) so I'm v slow but I listened to one of their podcasts recently about how important run walk is for training let alone anything else.

The podcasts are really inspirational and they talk to a lot of people who are not super fast but just enjoy running. It's really spurred me on to keep going even though I'll never be quick! Worth listening to if you are worried about being slow!

Thanks for this I'll definitely give that a listen.

OP posts:
lljkk · 06/04/2023 09:14

it's funny how we have different insecurities.

I don't care about reality that I'm slow & others are much faster. I'm really proud that I can run at all, it's not natural for me. People running faster than me in the street or on Strava: I'm happy for them.

But I loathe being cheered at in my slow performance. It doesn't feel like "well done", it feels completely perfunctory for what is truly a mediocre (relative) achievement, nothing for others to get excited about. The supportive comments make me want to hide under a rock. Rather put pins in my eyes than do a ParkRun.

Tessisme · 06/04/2023 09:48

I have no interest in getting any faster tbh. I'm slooow! And I do feel a pang of jealousy when people overtake me. But I have never worried that they would judge me. After all, I don't judge people who are walking rather than running.

HouseByTheSeaside · 06/04/2023 10:09

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.

Ugh this! 🤦🏻‍♀️

confessionstoday · 06/04/2023 10:09

I'm a medium to slow runner.
I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing other than to think I wish I was as quick as that person because then I'd be finished by now.
I feel happy for anyone that has managed to get their arse out the door and off the settee to do any form of exercise.

Fizbosshoes · 06/04/2023 10:10

I judge myself usually way more harshly than I would judge anyone else.id consider myself a medium- fast runner (definitely mote mediocre at the moment!!)

The only time I possibly would judge was when some runners ignore cut off times
If a race had a strict cut off time its usually well advertised when you enter but I have seen several instances where people have complained they were not allowed to finish. Of course its hugely disappointing- I've been really disappointed to not complete races before - but usually its for a practical or safety reason. If the road needs to be reopened or there isn't adequate marshals or support for the runner. Mostly race organisers and marshals are runners themselves and giving their time for free and it's not always feasible to allow people to complete the course outside the timescale planned.

However I've also heard of people being insulting and abusive asking people to leave a course and that is absolutely not OK in any circumstances.

illiterato · 06/04/2023 10:22

Fizbosshoes · 06/04/2023 10:10

I judge myself usually way more harshly than I would judge anyone else.id consider myself a medium- fast runner (definitely mote mediocre at the moment!!)

The only time I possibly would judge was when some runners ignore cut off times
If a race had a strict cut off time its usually well advertised when you enter but I have seen several instances where people have complained they were not allowed to finish. Of course its hugely disappointing- I've been really disappointed to not complete races before - but usually its for a practical or safety reason. If the road needs to be reopened or there isn't adequate marshals or support for the runner. Mostly race organisers and marshals are runners themselves and giving their time for free and it's not always feasible to allow people to complete the course outside the timescale planned.

However I've also heard of people being insulting and abusive asking people to leave a course and that is absolutely not OK in any circumstances.

Yeah- since London extended its cut off it seems like people have started expecting every marathon, however local and small, to have a 8+ hour cut off , which obviously just isn’t possible for most races in terms of manning and road closures. It’s not like the organisers are trying to be wankers but also the rest of the town residents have the right to leave their homes and drive on the roads. I don’t think many runners realise that many many local races are run partly on the pavement anyway.

AuntieStella · 06/04/2023 10:29

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

If you're walking. And I don't mean having walking intervals (planned or unplanned) I mean walking the whole thing.

I was chatting to someone the other day about how slower runners are performing more of a feat than the fast ones. Because they're also giving their best effort and are doing it for far longer.

ScoopT · 06/04/2023 10:50

How are we qualifying fast or slow though? My 30 min Parkrun will seem snail like to the lads who bash it out in 16 mins, but perhaps super speedy to the people that take 50- it's all relative?

To use the twee as fuck phrase 'you're lapping everyone on the couch'

Hullabaloo31 · 06/04/2023 10:59

I think it's one of the most inclusive sports there is. Another here a member of a friendly and welcoming club. In fact our really fast members often give up their time and race, to pace someone else to a PB.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 06/04/2023 11:14

Not at all. Only person I judge running is myself. Harshly 😂

Fibonacci13 · 06/04/2023 11:20

@kayakrent it's this one open.spotify.com/show/4BhyfIvCRYG2GghYZzoYib?si=kH8gLWuQTkClwjNST81Svg&dd=1

Enjoy!