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

[kayakrent]

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.

One of my favourite running memories was pacing the 4 hour slot at a big city marathon. I was like the pied piper! The gratitude and appreciation at the end was amazing.

No. I’m an absolutely tortoise.

i have actually been last in several organised events. It’s actually fab, I think I got more of a cheer than the winner. As someone did say to me after a half marathon. ‘I was only running an hour and a Bit then I got to rest whereas you (meaning me) … you were out there putting the same effort in, but for well over twice as long— it is more of an achievement‘

one thing that sticks with me, is an ultramarathoner writing about an incident whilst training — a nobhead runner heckled them for their slow pace, and he replied ‘ yep, I’m on mile 37 of 60, feel free to join me‘. Which shut the idiot right up. So I’m my head, I tell myself no one knows if I’m attempting to run one mile or 50 that day. my pace is my own damn business.

I've been struggling lately. I was never fast, but I'd like to think my PBs are creditable. But niggly injury after niggly injury over the past few years, plus lack of time due a work promotion and family commitments mean I've pretty much stopped. I hauled myself around a parkrun in November through sheer bloody mindedness and a LOT of walking, and I haven't run a single step since.

This thread has reminded me how lovely (most) runners are. I need to find a way, and be damned with how slow I am, and how much walking I do.

No, I never judge. I've been a fat, slow runner and I know how hard it is to get round a race when you're carrying a lot of weight.

I admire people who give running a go no matter what shape they are. I think it's a brilliant sport, everyone can do it.

I get what people say about feeling patronised at parkrun but it's really not meant like that. I was handing out tokens the other week and I congratulated everyone across the line and said well done or great run or whatever, whether they were first or 201st, everyone is putting in the same effort and deserves recognition.

I'm the opposite a fat slow runner, hopefully going to finish my upcoming marathon in under 7 hours. I'm part of a online running club with speedy runners, ultra runners and everyone in-between and I've never felt more supported, whenever I'm out running people always smile and say hi.
Yes I've had nasty comments but that's there issues they don't know me or what I'm battling.
If you want to read about run walking look up the Jeff Galloway method or girls that Jeff on Facebook, it's been a game changer for my running

Thanks I will 👍

I'm a slow running 14 min/mile or slower at the moment.
I have come last in races - normally good for a cheer from Marshalls/spectators.
I check if a race has a cut off and don't enter if I know I'll be slower than that (I like the finish line to be still there when I arrive, and wouldn't want to keep volunteers waiting) I don't enter otherwise I don't bother what other people think.

No, I judge the fast runners, showing me up with their superior fitness & ability!!!

Seriously, nobody really cares about anyoe's run but their own.

I actually have more respect for the slow people who find it really tough, risk coming last, but keep getting out there again and again. I am more likely to judge people who sit on their arses doing nothing. Get out there and feel good about the great things you are doing for your body.

That walk/run runners world podcast was really good to explain the recovery to bring heart rate down and allow you to build endurance.

Quite the opposite. I'm fairly fast and when I see someone slower who might be finding it tough, I feel really 'proud' of them for pushing on and doing their best. Proud isn't quite the right word, but hopefully you get what I mean. Like I just want to give them a pat on the back and at that it's not easy but they're doing a great job.

This thread has been really helpful and motivating to me as a non runner but new Walker who has entered a 50k 😳 I entered knowing that I could walk within the cut offs but that I’d be dead last. I then had a panic about the embarrassment that may bring but it’s a personal challenge I desperately want to complete. I couldn’t walk 5k mid feb and now I’m up to 25k walks at 240lb.

I always panic DH who is considered slow at his first ultra (6hr 40) would be mortified I’ve entered the same event as him but he’s been cheering me on, motivating me and keeps saying although he’s running and I’m walking - I’ll be out for double the time on feet. So relative effort is similar!

I always panic DH who is considered slow at his first ultra (6hr 40) would be mortified I’ve entered the same event as him

The thing with ultras is that times really don't mean very much. Firstly, most people don't have an idea about what a good 30 mile/50 mile/ whatever time is; at least not in the way that 4 hours is understood by even non-runners as a "decent" marathon time.
Routes also vary sometimes, so one race compared to the next year isn't always comparable.
And then there's terrain - yes 6h 40 is slow for a 50k that's flat, but if it's summiting peaks in Snowdonia or the Lakes, then not so much!
I find ultras very inclusive, and this is one of the reasons - times don't matter and its either about getting round (most people) or winning the thing (a small handful.

Thank you

That's a good push to get me out the door this morning

I did two half marathons and took more than four hours on each! I waved most of them to be honest.

I wear a t shirt that says 'Slow runners make fast runners look quicker, you're welcome!'

Walked not waved, I didn't have the energy to wave!

I'm a very slow runner in a Tri club where people compete iron man and for their country etc. They will all encourage each other and our sessions are tailored to be at your own speed so laps or reps etc. On the very rare occasion they would go for a trail run where I would be left miles behind, I just join the junior session ( and get left behind there too!) I find park run etc really encouraging too and would like to do a 10 k this year where I will be near the back but my motto is at least I'm moving!

Nope. I'm happy they're outside, enjoying their lives in the fresh air. I did 20k last weekend along the canal and it was nice to see people of all ages and sizes doing their best. I'm not fast anyway, compared to a 20 year old

I don't judge at all. I f I see a slow runner, I don't know if they're 6 miles in, training for a marathon or beginners. There are so many runners about that I don't even notice them.

I have been very fast, and I have been very slow.

I would never sneer at someone running a 14 minute mile- first of all, I’ve been there, secondarily, it’s all subjective. Someone trying to get a sub 1h30 10k can be working just as hard, and hurting just as hard for someone who is aiming for a sub 40.

However there is a very strange corner of running social media where ‘body positivity’ and running meet- where the same people are never training, always injured, always an issue, and have been running 7 hour marathons for years solely to mouth off about people judging them and ‘health at any size’. Being out on a marathon course for 6 hours+ is grim without a catalogue or errors, so this perplexes me. I understand they may have issues that prevent them from committing to a big training block- so why not just enjoy Parkrun or a 10k? You don’t need to run a marathon to be a real runner.

Also, you will start behind all the faster ones so they won't even notice you 😊😊

I'm solidly middle-of-the-pack when it comes to running, but I've never judged anyone who is slower than me. What even is there to judge?