First: I had the opportunity to guest post over on the blog Saturday Morning Zen. So check out my entry, “The Mindful Runner”
Second: Since they’re on my mind and I want to remember links people have given me, here are some helpful resources about shin splints:
- Shin Splints? Here’s 10 Tips for Staying Pain-Free
- Calf and Ankle Stretching Workout for Shin Splints
- Three Shin Splint Stretches You Need to Be Doing
- 5 Things You Need to Know About Shin Splints
- How to treat Shin Splints
Third: An article in the New York Times is making the rounds, Plodders Have a Place, But Is It in a Marathon? Basically the article talks about how slower runners maybe shouldn’t be in marathons.
Some of the quotes in the article kind of bugged me. I just don’t think that anybody that can cover the distance in the time allotted by the race director should have that achievement diminished. The people that mocked the run/walk methods or participants who take a longer time are just being ornery.
If people are truthful about their expected finish when signing up for a big race, they should have placement in a corral set-up where they won’t bother the front-of-the-herd runners. And if there isn’t a corral system, as long as all the runners line-up with a modicum of respect for their peers (don’t stand at the front if you’re walking), then we should all encourage and cheer for one another.
The other issue is that with more runners participating, that means more income for the races and the greater likelihood that the races will be funded enough so they can continue. If we strip out all the paying customers and only allow certain people to run, prices will either have to dramatically increase or the race will become defunct. I don’t think anyone wants to see either of those happen.
Jill Will Run 
There’s a thread on this article over at the Runner’s World marathon forum. Most people are saying “Run and let run.” But there are a few people that are marathon elitists and have to say rude things. I say no matter how fast you run, if you are doing your best and respecting the sport then you are a marathoner just like anyone else that has done 26.2.
Wow…that article is annoying. 🙂 That’s my nice phrase; I’m muttering other words under my breath. While I don’t agree with the folks “stopping for lunch” along the marathon course, I do feel that if there is a cutoff and time allotted for the race, runners should be expected to finish within that time or step off the course. Like you and The Penguin said, those of us who are slower are still major funding sources for these races. The appeal of the marathon should be an exciting factor for the so-called “real” runners. There was a time when only men could/would run these. Opening up the race to more people enhances the validity of it. Fact is there are still people who don’t finish. There are elite that push themselves too hard and don’t finish. There are people who get injured (we’ve been there) and are unable to finish. 26.2 miles is a long way to go, and being told that you didn’t really finish a real marathon if you don’t “run” it the entire way is just being pissy.
Okay I’m done. 🙂
glad it’s not a stress fracture btw! 🙂
yeah, i have seen this article… i have nothing against run/walkers, nor do i think that a certain pace makes you a runner. i do think that reasonable time limits are fine – since rd’s tie up roadways and police officers, etc. i feel like part of conquering a marathon achievement should include completing the event in the 7 (or whatever) hours provided. i know a woman who has walked a marathon (within the time frame) and i wouldn’t take it away from her (or any other walkers). heck, i hate walking around the mall for an hour! i think our society is already becoming too timid to “say no” to people… teacher’s in my area can’t grade papers with red pens anymore, spanking your children is now considered abuse, etc etc. i don’t think you have to run a certain pace, but i also don’t think the marathon should just be a free-for-all. typically you have to be 18 or older to run one, so everyone should act like the adults they are and accept there successes/failures for what they are.
again, i’m not a “snooty” runner… i just think marathons should be respected and not another handout. then we’ll have people stopping for a nap along the way, and mcdonald’s sponsoring fuel-stops.
Oh, I completely agree about respecting the distance; people that stop for lunch in the middle are not truly marathoners. Walking a marathon can be just as much of a challenge as running one provided you are doing it in the right spirit and within the parameters of the event. I also agree with you about people being too scared of saying “no” to people too.
Wow, the thing I really don’t get is how the existence of slower runners/walkers affects the runners who are complaining? I mean, what difference does it make? And why do they feel the need to judge who is and is not a “real” marathoner?! If they are worried about their friends being less impressed with their own marathon accomplishments, they are running marathons for the wrong reason. I know when I go out there, I do so to test myself and see if I can improve upon my previous times. I don’t give a crap about what any other person does on that course. The accomplishment is all mine no matter how slow the back-of-the-packers finished! I think these folks are seriously just being petty. You know they’d complain if their favorite races shut down as a result of losing the “slow runner” revenue as well . . . so they should probably just move on and relax a little. Life is too short to worry about things like this, you know?
I’ve not read that article yet but I can imagine all the snobby, elitist comments it contained. I agree with everything you said! That’s part of the reason I cancelled my subscription to Running Times. I got sick and tired of people saying real runners don’t run 10 minute miles, real runners don’t get into marathons because they’re raising money for charity, real runners don’t run with music, blah blah blah. I agree with Irish, life is too short!