quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jim Sullivan:
I'll try to avoid overreacting and just say this may spell the end of civilization.<HR>

I thought it was kind of interesting, to fit it into an hour they had to gloss over a lot of stuff, but the average (non-runner) viewer probably wouldn't want to watch more than that. I think what they showed with the V02max is that yes some people are more naturally gifted athletically than others, but with work, almost all of them were able to get their levels up to that same area; that's definitely a hopeful message for people starting out who may not feel as athletic or fit as they imagine the average runner to be.

What I was left wondering has less to do with the show and more of a general question. I see people on here talking about getting their BQ time or not making it into the NYC marathon lottery. What is the point of running these qualifying times if anyone can race (i.e. those people in the NOVA group)? I'm assuming there's more to it than they showed on the tv...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by intensebeet:
What I was left wondering has less to do with the show and more of a general question. I see people on here talking about getting their BQ time or not making it into the NYC marathon lottery. What is the point of running these qualifying times if anyone can race (i.e. those people in the NOVA group)? I'm assuming there's more to it than they showed on the tv...[/B]<HR>

If you pay your money (to charity) you don't have to qualfiy - it's as simple as that. Boston used to have some prestige but in my opinion it has become just another bloated goodfeelathon.

And as this show demonstrates ANYONE can finish a marathon. - it may be a bit unpleasant, but its really not that difficult.

Ray

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rbbmoose:
If you pay your money (to charity) you don't have to qualfiy - it's as simple as that. Boston used to have some prestige but in my opinion it has become just another bloated goodfeelathon.<HR>

What is it that you think has changed? Boston's charity program has been in place for years and years. Time-waived entries are also given to local running clubs in exchange for providing volunteers and to sponsors and exchange for, well, sponsoring. Nothing new about that. Boston's also always had more than it's share of bandits - unregistered runners jumping in. That's nothing new either. What change is it that you think has taken place?



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Why do you guys have to be such snobs? The charity runners at Boston start AFTER everybody else. You should never see them. Why does it bother you that they were on the same course as you?

As for a six hour finish time...to them it was just as big of an accomplishment as any PR you are after. And, if they ever do find a cure for Cancer or Lymphoma or whatever charity they are running for...in the big picture, that 6 hour time is a **** of alot more important than your BQ time.

Get over yourselves...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JB:
Why do you guys have to be such snobs? The charity runners at Boston start AFTER everybody else. You should never see them. Why does it bother you that they were on the same course as you?

As for a six hour finish time...to them it was just as big of an accomplishment as any PR you are after. And, if they ever do find a cure for Cancer or Lymphoma or whatever charity they are running for...in the big picture, that 6 hour time is a **** of alot more important than your BQ time.

Get over yourselves...

<HR>

Yeah - I knew that was coming. You're right everyone's a winner, compeition is just another impediment to global harmony - every kid deserves a trophy just for being on the team, anything less could be a huge blow to their self esteem.

I'm one of those old-school dumbbells who runs to run - and when I want to support charity I just give them the money by writing a check without expecting a race entry etc. Sorry to be so ignorant about that.


Ray

I'm glad they set it in Boston if only for the history and mystique. But then again, it kinda kills the magic, in a way....

I am wondering though, why it would be wrong (as one comment intimated) to do short runs with a long run on the weekend. They trained to finish -- isn't that kind of program good enough? Everything I have read makes it seem like more advanced training, like tempo, hills, & speed, is for more experienced runners. Adding more weekly distance is as well.

It seems to be that they were training reasonably, even if a 9 month time frame was too aggressive for most of them (seeing that they incurred some serious injuries).

Good for you, Ray, and, of course, lots and lots of people will finish ahead of you! Maybe some of them think you don't deserve to be out there. I agree with the snob assessment.