Comments on: Boston Marathon – Who are the “Real” Runners? http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/ Inspiring Healthy Connections Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:24:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Matt http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-358 Matt Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:51:01 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-358 I've never been serious enough to run the Boston Marathon and I had no idea that they had a qualifying time requirement (not surprised though). Still it is a serious race for many and so I can see why they have it. I think as long as you can allow the people who are really there trying to win it (let them go first) then there should be rules in place to let as many who want to run after them in just for all the reason's you stated in your post. I'm sure it would be a great experience for many instead of just for the few. By the way I used to run in the race in Falmouth (Cape Cod) many years ago and that's a fun race to be in finishing up at the Heights Beach in Falmouth where I'm originally from. I’ve never been serious enough to run the Boston Marathon and I had no idea that they had a qualifying time requirement (not surprised though). Still it is a serious race for many and so I can see why they have it.

I think as long as you can allow the people who are really there trying to win it (let them go first) then there should be rules in place to let as many who want to run after them in just for all the reason’s you stated in your post. I’m sure it would be a great experience for many instead of just for the few.

By the way I used to run in the race in Falmouth (Cape Cod) many years ago and that’s a fun race to be in finishing up at the Heights Beach in Falmouth where I’m originally from.

]]> By: Mark http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Mark Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:29:19 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-355 I've never been a "real runner" though when I was younger I aspired to be! You have a great site here; you're passionate about running and it shows. I’ve never been a “real runner” though when I was younger I aspired to be! You have a great site here; you’re passionate about running and it shows.

]]> By: Brand Innovator http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Brand Innovator Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:34:35 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-274 Great to be with you and all our real runners at the inaugural Illinois Marathon. C U later. Great to be with you and all our real runners at the inaugural Illinois Marathon. C U later.

]]> By: Jennifer http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Jennifer Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:21:23 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-273 Wonderful post! I live in a suburb, and everyone here seems to 'get' that a real runner runs, has a passion for it, and incorporates it into a healthy lifestyle. Some are fast, some are slow- and we are all runners! Wonderful post! I live in a suburb, and everyone here seems to ‘get’ that a real runner runs, has a passion for it, and incorporates it into a healthy lifestyle. Some are fast, some are slow- and we are all runners!

]]> By: Kathy http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Kathy Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:12:17 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-272 I agree! I also think real runners have to run - it keeps our sanity - and it doesn't matter what the pace :0) I'd love to qualify for Boston some day - but for me, that may always be a dream - so I'll do the smaller races and enjoy every step! I agree! I also think real runners have to run – it keeps our sanity – and it doesn’t matter what the pace :0) I’d love to qualify for Boston some day – but for me, that may always be a dream – so I’ll do the smaller races and enjoy every step!

]]> By: Dirt Dawg http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-271 Dirt Dawg Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:05:52 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-271 George Sheehan said the only difference between a jogger and a runner is a entry blank. Can someone define at what pace you are jogging and then it becomes running? And why would you have to race to be called a runner? I tend to think that if you call yourself "runner", you do it because it is a lifestyle you lead. At some level you are committed to not only making your life journey a healthy one, but to see the world by putting one foot in front of the other regardless of pace. You talk about it to others and you are more than willing to spread the "word" about the benefits of your passion, your desire. I don't believe that a middle of the pack, who will never qualify for Boston because of the time standard is any less of a runner than a elite athlete. We are all merely trying to the best that we can with the tools, body we have been given. George Sheehan said the only difference between a jogger and a runner is a entry blank. Can someone define at what pace you are jogging and then it becomes running? And why would you have to race to be called a runner? I tend to think that if you call yourself “runner”, you do it because it is a lifestyle you lead. At some level you are committed to not only making your life journey a healthy one, but to see the world by putting one foot in front of the other regardless of pace. You talk about it to others and you are more than willing to spread the “word” about the benefits of your passion, your desire. I don’t believe that a middle of the pack, who will never qualify for Boston because of the time standard is any less of a runner than a elite athlete. We are all merely trying to the best that we can with the tools, body we have been given.

]]> By: Matt http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Matt Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:10:19 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-270 Here here Coach Jenny. I find that running shares with nearly every pursuit, "the problem of universals." That is to say, even those that qualify for Boston, can always find themselves thinking they aren't quite there if they're not qualifying for the Olympics. Your blog really hits on all the main points, so for the sake of not being redundant, I'll attempt to conclude with this: getting into running, my eureka moment, was when I learned the term "PR" and what it meant. I liken pursuing a PR to what my Dad always says about golf, you're not playing the players, you're playing the course. If one's aim is simply to PR or enjoy the race course, they're there -- that to me is being a real runner. For me, it's like the categorical imperative of running, I just thought of it: "a real runner is one who runs for the sake of running." Here here Coach Jenny. I find that running shares with nearly every pursuit, “the problem of universals.” That is to say, even those that qualify for Boston, can always find themselves thinking they aren’t quite there if they’re not qualifying for the Olympics.
Your blog really hits on all the main points, so for the sake of not being redundant, I’ll attempt to conclude with this: getting into running, my eureka moment, was when I learned the term “PR” and what it meant. I liken pursuing a PR to what my Dad always says about golf, you’re not playing the players, you’re playing the course. If one’s aim is simply to PR or enjoy the race course, they’re there — that to me is being a real runner. For me, it’s like the categorical imperative of running, I just thought of it: “a real runner is one who runs for the sake of running.”

]]> By: Dr. Roz http://running4yourlife.net/2009/04/07/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/comment-page-1/#comment-269 Dr. Roz Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:30:08 +0000 http://running4yourlifeblog.net/boston-marathon-who-are-the-real-runners/#comment-269 You always bring a balancing perspective to the running community, Coach Jenny. Being one of the "real runners", I always know that it is how I run the race is important, and not as important as how FAST I run/walk/trot/shuffle the race. C U soon for the Illinois Marathon and Half! RC You always bring a balancing perspective to the running community, Coach Jenny. Being one of the “real runners”, I always know that it is how I run the race is important, and not as important as how FAST I run/walk/trot/shuffle the race. C U soon for the Illinois Marathon and Half! RC

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