DFW runners! New thread ...

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > The Neighborhood >

Up to Threads in The Neighborhood

825 Replies Last post: Aug 23, 2008 7:49 PM by Texas_Runner84 Go to original post 1 ... 49 50 51 52 53 ... 56 Previous Next

Spareribs049

1,743 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

750. Nov 1, 2007 11:10 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

I'm with Sparkle. She posted the link in case anyone is interested. I visited and found it to be interesting, although I haven't posted there yet. Letsrun is also a great site, as Tinman is there and if you want some great guidance on training, he is the man.

As to "bashing" of the slow, at any speed you run, there are bound to be some slower and some faster, and while it's true that some of the faster runners poke fun at the slow ones, my overall take is that most of it is about some of the poor training and racing habits of slow runners, rather than their speed, or attacks against individuals. I know I have posted a number of times of the foolishness of carrying huge fuel belts in short races where liquid refreshment is plentifully available, or starting a race in bulky clothing, then removing a heavy outer jacket at one mile and tying it around your waist for the rest of the race. I could go on and on about these things, but I have no negative biases against the runners themselves, as I am certainly no speed demon.

Also, if you want to get better, make an effort to learn from those faster than you. They may bite you now and then but the learning is worth it. I post often in Boomers and Beyond in the 50+ thread. There are some super runners on that forum and they take me to task quite a bit.

I am officially signed up to volunteer at the Half this Sunday and I think I am working the finish line. If you see an old guy with short gray hair handing you a medal or removing your chip, it's probably me. Say hello! Who's running it? Spareribs

Guest

751. Dec 22, 2007 5:47 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Spareribs:
I'm with Sparkle. She posted the link in case anyone is interested. I visited and found it to be interesting, although I haven't posted there yet. Letsrun is also a great site, as Tinman is there and if you want some great guidance on training, he is the man.

As to "bashing" of the slow, at any speed you run, there are bound to be some slower and some faster, and while it's true that some of the faster runners poke fun at the slow ones, my overall take is that most of it is about some of the poor training and racing habits of slow runners, rather than their speed, or attacks against individuals. I know I have posted a number of times of the foolishness of carrying huge fuel belts in short races where liquid refreshment is plentifully available, or starting a race in bulky clothing, then removing a heavy outer jacket at one mile and tying it around your waist for the rest of the race. I could go on and on about these things, but I have no negative biases against the runners themselves, as I am certainly no speed demon.

Also, if you want to get better, make an effort to learn from those faster than you. They may bite you now and then but the learning is worth it. I post often in Boomers and Beyond in the 50+ thread. There are some super runners on that forum and they take me to task quite a bit.

I am officially signed up to volunteer at the Half this Sunday and I think I am working the finish line. If you see an old guy with short gray hair handing you a medal or removing your chip, it's probably me. Say hello! Who's running it? Spareribs<HR>

I hope you still feel that way when you get to read the part where she thinks your trip to boston a few years back was really just more for your spending than your athletic ability.

Anyway, not really to cause trouble. I guess just warning potential victims ( i mean posters).

I'll be at the Half, but you don't have to wait for me. I'm not gonna even bother with the chip, too slow to matter. But thanks for helping out where you can.

Really
fat and slow

http://This message has been edited by ohreally (edited Nov-01-2007).

Guest

752. Nov 1, 2007 6:08 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Since OH really has taken my comments out of their full text and twisted them, let me say what my FULL post and comment was over on TG.

The discussion was about the Boston qualifying standards and how they were raised a few years back. There is no dispute why BAA did this. It is obvious. They tacked on 10 + mins to folks over 45 yrs old and left the 35 & under alone. Every one knows this was because the 45+ crowd spent more up there. Why else? Why were the under 35 crowd left out? So, OH Really was twisting my words there.

I also went on to say that I was disappointed in this move. Why? Because Boston is Boston. It is special and should remain that way. To me, they took some of that away by lowering the standards.

And this was no slam on SpareRibs. He is FAST and I am sure can qualify under the old marks. When he is healthy, he is on my tail so I am sure a 3:30 is very possible for him which is probably 20 mins under his qualifying mark. I am just guessing on his age & mark but maybe Spare can correct me here if I am wrong.

Heck, I do not even think the old marks should be used. I think they ought to roll back to the marks used before that. Not the 3:10/3:40 for Open but 3:00/3:30. I think even before that it was 2:50/3:20. When folks are running their first marathon and attempting to qualify, well, something is wrong.

It is just sad. Use to me the median marathon time was 3:30. REALLY OH REALLY. Now it is 4:30. SAD. Why is that? These folks that slog through marathons in 5 hrs should work on doing a quality half first. Why the marathon? They want attention. They want to be able to go to work and stand by the water cooler and tell their co-workers that they RAN a marathon. Do the math. 4:30-5 hrs marathons are not ?running?.

Call me a snob or whatever you want and I will go away and back to TG & Letsrun. I just happened on this board and thought I would join in. I can move on along & won't lose any sleep. I have thicker skin obviously than Oh Really.

ONON

GreenMan093

332 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

753. Nov 1, 2007 8:42 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Right on, Sparkle.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sprklep:
Heck, I do not even think the old marks should be used. I think they ought to roll back to the marks used before that. Not the 3:10/3:40 for Open but 3:00/3:30. I think even before that it was 2:50/3:20. When folks are running their first marathon and attempting to qualify, well, something is wrong. <HR>

When I was in high school the open Q time was 2:50. I remember being intimidated enough to not focus on marathons (not that there were many in those days anyway).

I also remember when I was struggling to break 5:00 in the mile, one of my teammates pointed out to us that Bill Rodgers had just won Boston at a 4:54 pace. Well, not much point in going on, then. If only I'd known that I was still 10 years away from my (theoretical) peak running years ...

------------------
Me![/URL" target="_blank">

Training and stuff[/URL" target="_blank">

Spareribs049

1,743 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

754. Nov 1, 2007 8:47 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

You stay right here Sheila, and you are right. I agree entirely, so call me a snob too. I will never forget working my tail off to break 3 hours back then. What a trial it was. And no sooner did I do it, than they moved it to 2:50. It took me four years (from 1980 to 1983, Poughkeepsie, NY, finished 3rd overall in 2:51) to get back in, but I did. We ran well back then, and there weren't many of us. And by the way, I was an also-ran with times like mine.

Anyone who understands economics knows why those times got rolled back. It is all about the money, as Sparkle points out. Today at age 61, I can go back to Boston any year I choose, bring my whole family, stay in a nice hotel and make a nice contribution to the local economy. They know this. I had very little money when I was in my 30's, a young family to support and early in my work career.

You can just see these officials working with the charities and the Chamber of Commerce representing the hotels and restaurants saying, "Let's see, do we want the young fast broke Spareribs? Or would we prefer his older counterpart, the slower richer guy?"

Ohreally, you won't do well trying to pick a fight between Sparkle and me. She nailed it. And even if her opinion differed from mine, I have a great deal of respect for her as a runner and competitor. She has earned her right to speak about Boston, competition, and distance running. And if she and I hit a topic we disagree on, I am sure she will respect my opinion on it, as I do hers.

Now all that having been said, I have no gripe about more people running today and the big crowds, except for just one issue: why don't newbies learn to make the most of their running, train to race as well as they can, and THEN try the marathon? That gripe probably supersedes all others, but then that's probably just me. Other opinions? Spareribs

Guest

755. Nov 1, 2007 8:50 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sprklep:
They want attention. <HR>

Yeah, but doesn't everyone want attention? Why is there so many people posting about running. You and everyone at TG wants attention. Everyone here wants attention.

Everyone has a story to say. That is what running is about. It is a participation sport. No matter how slow we are, we still get to be a part of it instead of just sitting on the couch or watching on the sidelines.

You dont have to leave. I'm sure the people here would rather have you stay. I've said my piece and I'm done - happy to slog along no matter how long it will take.

Really

Guest

756. Nov 1, 2007 9:55 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Thanks Green & Spare. OK, I will hang around

Very impressive Mr.Ribs?.did not know you use to run those kinds of times. Your times now impress me. You need to get back healthy and give Cromer & Shaw a run for their money.

C U Saturday. ONON

Cora5K

326 posts since
Nov 24, 2007

757. Nov 2, 2007 7:43 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ohreally:
Yeah, but doesn't everyone want attention? Why is there so many people posting about running. You and everyone at TG wants attention. Everyone here wants attention.
<HR>

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on this point. Probably 80% of my friends and family don't even know that I run. There are very few people in my town that even run. So, if I want to talk running, this is pretty much it. We learn from each other, get different prospectives, swap notes on races and courses. It's not at all about attention.

Anyway, good luck on the Half this weekend. Good luck to you too Sheila, and anyone else who's running it.

yar091

25 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

758. Nov 2, 2007 7:54 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sprklep:
[

Heck, I do not even think the old marks should be used. I think they ought to roll back to the marks used before that. Not the 3:10/3:40 for Open but 3:00/3:30. I think even before that it was 2:50/3:20. When folks are running their first marathon and attempting to qualify, well, something is wrong.

It is just sad. Use to me the median marathon time was 3:30. REALLY OH REALLY. Now it is 4:30. SAD. Why is that? These folks that slog through marathons in 5 hrs should work on doing a quality half first. Why the marathon? They want attention. They want to be able to go to work and stand by the water cooler and tell their co-workers that they RAN a marathon. Do the math. 4:30-5 hrs marathons are not ?running?.

Call me a snob or whatever you want and I will go away and back to TG & Letsrun. I just happened on this board and thought I would join in. I can move on along & won't lose any sleep. I have thicker skin obviously than Oh Really.

ONON[/B]<HR>

Everybody wants the "good old days" back. Days when we had standards. Days when a BQ really meant something.
Guys - the 21st Century is here. Deal with it. Did you see the NOVA episode on PBS the other nite? That is the future of marathon "racing".
I don't want to call anyone a "snob" I just have to say that Boston puts on the race. Boston does all the work. Boston created the experience that got you nostalgic about the old days and creates the experience that is inspiring so many people to try and BQ and Boston gets to decide what kind of race they want it to be. Dick Beardsleys and Alberto Salazars come and go. Boston owns the hills (well - the nearby suburbs do) and the finish line (they rent the Wellesley girls) and everybody pays to play on their stage. And nobody's going to put on this kind of event for the 30 yr old penniless Ribs. When you do the REAL math, you see that it's not about having the back of the pack finish in 3 hours.

You want discrimination (I mean that in the good way)? You want standards? You want a small, fast race full of real qualifiers? Put one on. Find a town willing to put up with a marathon morning, put a business plan together, set your standards has tough as you want 'em and start your own tradition. Boston has decided that its fortunes (literally) lie elsewhere

yar

Guest

759. Nov 2, 2007 7:56 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Thanks Cora! Good luck everyone.

Spareribs049

1,743 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

760. Nov 2, 2007 8:54 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Yar, you'll get no quarrel from me. You are exactly right. It is what it is now.

Sprkle, speaking of Shaw, can you believe he leaves the 60-64 AG this coming January and turns 65? That man is a legend! Earlier this year, after the Heartbeat 5K, he and I and Benson and Connelly hung around for the awards, just chatting about running and golf. I learned more from Bill in 15 minutes of exchanging training ideas than I get from my coach. I have never come close to beating him, but I like him a lot and enjoy his company. Spareribs

Ray Andrews

231 posts since
Dec 6, 2007

761. Dec 22, 2007 5:47 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ohreally:
Everyone has a story to say. That is what running is about. It is a participation sport. No matter how slow we are, we still get to be a part of it instead of just sitting on the couch or watching on the sidelines.

<HR>

Hot dang! Did my comment about shooting for a 3:45 spark all this debate about Boston qualifying and such?

For me, 3:45 is just a goal. Back in 2005, I thought about running Chicago Marathon and wanted a preferred start--and in order to qualify for that you had to have results of a Half run in under 1:45. I made that my goal and pulled off a 1:44:16 at Thruston's Runaway Train Half in April 2005. Then it turned out I didn't even register for Chicago. And if my finish time tomorrow is under 3;45:59, it's very likely I won't register for Boston. It's just a goal, nothing more.

Well, actually it IS a little bit more--

My friend Steve, who is the drummer in the praise band at our church, is the one who got me started running 7 years ago at age 47. He was my mentor, training partner and de facto coach/information-source until I found Cool Running (or, Kick it was, before the merger). Steve's daughter Cara was born with cystic fibrosis; she's now 23 and is at the top of St. Paul's Hospital's list of candidates to receive a lung transplant. When people have asked her what it's like to live with cystic fibrosis, she tells them, "It's like my dad running a 5k race while sucking air through a soda straw."

I'm running Midsouth Marathon tomorrow for Cara. I even had a T-shirt made with her picture on it that I intend to wear when I run the race. When I told her about this the other day, she said, "Well if you're going to publicize ME while you're running, you'd better run a good race."

And for me, a "good race" would be anything under 3:45:59.

And it seems like a "reasonable" goal. The last 5k where I came home with hardware was this past April when I ran it in 22:54.

It's like Steve told me back in 2000 when I ran my first 5k with him: "You're running YOUR OWN race."

We're all running "our own" races here.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Hope all you racing the Half on Sunday get PR's; it looks like it's gonna be great weather.

http://This message has been edited by Ray Andrews (edited Nov-02-2007).

Guest

762. Nov 2, 2007 11:12 AM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Good Luck Ray on your marathon and sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope everything turns out well.

Shaw is about to turn 65.....JEEEEEZZ! Yes, he has to be one of the fastest 65 yrs old in the nation. Amazing.

Ray Andrews

231 posts since
Dec 6, 2007

763. Dec 22, 2007 5:47 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sprklep:
Good Luck Ray on your marathon and sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope everything turns out well.

<HR>

It's not my daughter, it's Steve's daughter. But thanks, though, and I hope your race goes well too.

http://This message has been edited by Ray Andrews (edited Nov-02-2007).

carol40

192 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

764. Nov 2, 2007 1:05 PM

in response to: GreenMan093

Re: DFW runners! New thread

Wow, this thread has gotten active. I check it out every now and again since I live in Grapevine. Good luck to all running the half this weekend! I'm signed up (was to be my first half), but can't run this one due to recovering from a strained hip flexor. Next time though!

Not trying to nit pick, and I know the author said he didn't judge, and that is absolutely right. You never know why someone is doing something that might seem odd. I wear a fuel belt for runs over about 5 miles (race with refreshments or not) because I'm a type 1 diabetic. I carry my testing supplies, and need to have a reliable carb source with me all the time, plus it gives me something to clip my insulin pump to. I'm not fast by any stretch, but try to conserve time by running through water stops and drinking from my flasks when I walk briefly to test my blood sugar. Different strokes (and pokes) for different folks!

------------------
Progress, not perfection.

Go to original post 1 ... 49 50 51 52 53 ... 56 Previous Next

Go to original post

Actions

More Like This

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links