For all the runners out there!

mynameiscarrie

I found this quote and think it is great to motivate some of us who may not be the fastest.

"All runners are not created equal. We do not start with the same genes or have the same resources for training. For better or for worse, we are all unique. Put things in perspective: Have you ever notices that faster runners rarely seem satisfied with their performance, while many slower runners wear a perpetual grin on their faces?"
John "The Penguin" Bingham
Runner's World

Remember that everyone is different, everyone's goals are different,and that you should achieve things that are reasonable for YOURSELF!

**I do realize some competitive runners don't fall into the "not good enough mentality" category so don't please don't get defensive if you are one of those people!

Tzipporah90

LOVE this!!

sjcply

:bigsmile: LOVE IT!!! I always have a BIG GRIN on my face! :bigsmile:

gleechick609

Thanks for posting! Now I do not feel so ashamed because I walk/jog during my training and races!

RAFValentina

bump

icemaiden17_uk

Love it!! As long as we also all except that we can improve!! :laugh:

SergeantSunshine_reused

I ran cross country and track in high school. Practically slept with my running shoes on lol I doubt I am built like that or could EVER achieve that.

Me and carrie will be proud of what we do achieve :}

gashinshotan

Which is more inspirational - telling people that they're fine with what they are currently capable of or showing them how much they are capable of? The first is what led a lot of people to be fine with doing nothing and staying fat.

Was supposed to be inspirational.

I don't think she needed a "we arent trying hard enough"

besides I ran cross country and track in high school. Practically slept with my running shoes on lol I doubt I am built like that or could EVER achieve that.

Me and carrie will be proud of what we do achieve :}

ATT949

Excellent quote!

Thanks for posting that.

BTW, he's got a book out called "Marathoning for Mortals". If you ("all ya'll" as they say) haven't read it, it's a good read for getting ready for a marathon.

I got mine used at Amazon for about $4!

libland

Love John Bingham... waddle on...

CaptainGordo

I disagree - if this guy can run 62 miles at a 6 min/mile pace we are all underestimating what our bodies are capable of....

Phroggygirl1

I agree. Not everyone is built for running or being able of achiving that, but that is NOT an excuse to make sure EVERYONE knows it.

This is supposed to be a positive place with positive feedback. So then, you sir can move on with all your negativity....

fteale

I didn't start running, or get quite good at running by watching thinner, faster girls. I did it by getting out there and running 3 or 4 times a week. I don't need to compare myself to other runners to do that. I just need shoes and a sports bra.

Lyadeia

a post for people who wanted a little motivation or a reminder that they're best is fine. they don't have to compare their goals to others. i only run 3-5 miles a day and have only lost 33 pounds by pushing myself so i'm not as great as you. [/quote]





But like fteale just said, I didn't start running by watching the other more fit girls do it, and I didn't compare my abilities to theirs. I compared my abilities to myself...my goals...my dream of getting better...and I hit the treadmill and took off to see what I could do. My first day I only did 3 miles in 45 minutes. That's a 15 minute mile, and some "less lazy" people could probably walk that. But you know what? I burned over 400 calories that workout and have since improved on myself to run longer and faster. And I am happy with that. Go me. Why is that so wrong???

fteale

I'm being negative by showing an example of what we are all possibly capable of?

I agree. Not everyone is built for running or being able of achiving that, but that is NOT an excuse to make sure EVERYONE knows it.

This is supposed to be a positive place with positive feedback. So then, you sir can move on with all your negativity....

Again, I disagree. I don't think very many people AT ALL are capable of running 60+ miles at a 6 min/mile pace. I don't think I could run ONE mile at that speed, and I run a lot. More to the point, I have no interest in doing so either. I don't want to end up broken winded like a horse.

amsparky

BUMP - excellent advice and SO true!

CaptainGordo

Would you have been able to run 6:15 miles or lose your fat without the inspiration of seeing faster runners and skinnier girls?

Dude -- what is your fastest mile time? What are you aiming for? Are you aiming for Olympic times, or are you aiming for something more obtainable?

Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

I love watching professional baseball players. I'm not going to frustrate myself by trying to hit like my favorite players. I'm going to push myself to be the very best that I can, and hopefully a bit more.

Seriously, take the quote for what it is -- a realistic approach to running. We're not all speed or endurance demons. We can, however, be the best we can and enjoy the journey.

LorinaLynn

I think there's inspiration in both, and there's room for inspiration from both.

I am not a cyborg. Enjoying myself and feeling good about myself is just as, maybe more, important than reaching achievements. If I can feel good about myself WHILE reaching achievements, all the better! There's no point in putting life and happiness on hold because you haven't reached a goal yet.

SergeantSunshine_reused

Would you have been able to run 6:15 miles or lose your fat without the inspiration of seeing faster runners and skinnier girls?

Ehem. I was never over weight first of all. I lost my fat when I picked up a love for sports.

My competitive nature has always led for me to be my PERSONAL best. I am my own person and love to test my body. I do not compare to others actually. Why? Because I see no point to.

Sure everyone has their inspiration. But if everyone set themselves up with the mind set that they will look exactly like them, then we would have many sad depressed people.

mynameiscarrie

Why is this thread all about attacking me for showing an example of what people are capBle of? Is trying to achieve a goal beyond mediocrity really a bad thing?

No one said anything about being mediocre. That's the thing. What is mediocre to you is an achievement for someone else. That's the whole point. You're not being attacked. When you post something that attempts to diminish the motivation of something for no reason people are going to respond.

SergeantSunshine_reused

I never said I could run 62 miles - that example motivates me to show me how much I can achieve compared to where I am at now. Why is this thread all about attacking me for showing an example of what people are capBle of? Is trying to achieve a goal beyond mediocrity really a bad thing?

Mediocre? So i have to out run an Olympic athlete to be good enough?

I scored a 100 on the 2 mile run to get into the Army. I can run a 6:15 mile. I can run for miles. And I have competed in races without winning. I am proud of what I personally am capable of. After what I came from I don't find myself mediocre.

Who is going to tell me any different?

You know who else I don't find mediocre? anyone who is willing to put on their running shoes and go. The people coming from no exercise to running a full mile. That is an amazing personal achievement and I congratulate anyone who is improving or at least trying

fteale

Has that guy been pregnant with 2 babies? Has he had major abdominal surgery? Has he breastfed for 5 years? Does he have asthma? Has he had bronchitis twice? Pneumonia a year ago? Pleurisy and trachiitis?

What good would it do me, given I HAVE had all those things, to compare myself to a man who does nothing but train to run? Why should I feel I should be capable of why he is? I think, given all that, I should be bloody proud of the fact that in a year I have gone from lying half dead on my sofa with pneumonia, and not having run in 14 years, to coming 18th out of all the women in the area who competed at a race last month (in a race of 600 or so), or that I came 70th out of 5000 in a race for life this summer.

That was the point in the OPs quote. We all have personal goals and they shouldn't be and cannot be the same as anyone else's.

fteale

My academic background is in biology so I guess I just view the world in terms of what's physically possible and how we all belong to the same species as that dude.... if he can do it why can't we? Even if we can't do 62 miles most of us can do vastly more than what we're currently doing or think we are capable of doing. I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT DOWN ANYONE. I'M JUST SHOWING THAT PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE WHAT THEY CAN DO.

Why is this thread all about attacking me for showing an example of what people are capBle of? Is trying to achieve a goal beyond mediocrity really a bad thing?

No one said anything about being mediocre. That's the thing. What is mediocre to you is an achievement for someone else. That's the whole point.

READ MY POST ABOVE. THAT IS WHY.

McKayMachina

Alright, everyone calm down.

He wasn't trying to be a jerk. Some people find different things motivational. I don't understand why everyone has to take everything so damn personal around here.

The whole world does not revolve around YOU.

Sheesh.

LorinaLynn

Yes, it's amazing what the human body is capable of. And I'm just as amazed of the people on my friend's list who've never run who are stoked that they just completed their first mile as I am of the guy who won an ultramarathon. Both achieved great things for themselves.

I'm amazed at gymnasts and circus performers who can put their feet behind their head, too. And I'm amazed when I can do certain yoga poses without having my hip dislocate.

Perspective is a wonderful thing.

soccerchey1

I'm not saying everyone can run iike that - I'm just showing how little we actually try to achieve compared to what the body is capable of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takahiro_Sunada

I disagree - if this guy can run 62 miles at a 6 min/mile pace we are all underestimating what our bodies are capable of....

and i disagree with that...some people are built to run. seriously. lactic acid tolerance, muscle growth, etc. i'm not saying its an excuse to not try to run, but not everyone--no matter how much training--will be able to run like that. also, not everyone wants to run like that.

Actually every one is technically capable of doing that. In theory a human is able to lift 1,200 lbs with no training; they key however is that the human body only uses 1/3 of it's strength at one time because of all your muscle is tensed at the same time the muscle will separate from the bone causing permanent damage not to mention the unbelievable pain the person would suffer. So you are right in one aspect but every action has a reaction as do decisions.

Uerzer

Alright, everyone calm down.

He wasn't trying to be a jerk. Some people find different things motivational. I don't understand why everyone has to take everything so damn personal around here.

The whole world does not revolve around YOU.

Sheesh.

What's wrong if he finds Takahiro Sunada a source of motivation for himself?
Some might want SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. i liked that ) but...
If just knowing that something can be done helps him or somebody else work for it, why not try it? :bigsmile:

He was just trying to be motivational, everyone has his own ways to do so! :drinker:

:flowerforyou:

arewethereyet

I cleaned this up some and unlocked. Please keep it clean.

Thank You
Arewethereyet
MFP Moderator:flowerforyou:

jazzdspazz

I've never been able to get better then a 24 minute 3 mile, it won't happen,I've been on countless 10 plus mile runs, I know guys that can do 15 minute 3 miles, but that's just me, no matter how much I train, and I'm happy with that, because I love my self.and.knownwhat I'm capable of. I also love you all and think we should go on a cute little group run and pass around a motivational baton, and after where done we can worship a Celtic deity or something to make ous feel awsome.

Lyadeia

a post for people who wanted a little motivation or a reminder that they're best is fine. they don't have to compare their goals to others. i only run 3-5 miles a day and have only lost 33 pounds by pushing myself so i'm not as great as you.

But like fteale just said, I didn't start running by watching the other more fit girls do it, and I didn't compare my abilities to theirs. I compared my abilities to myself...my goals...my dream of getting better...and I hit the treadmill and took off to see what I could do. My first day I only did 3 miles in 45 minutes. That's a 15 minute mile, and some "less lazy" people could probably walk that. But you know what? I burned over 400 calories that workout and have since improved on myself to run longer and faster. And I am happy with that. Go me. Why is that so wrong???
[/quote]

I see that the mods have "cleaned up" this thread, but half my post is missing. I would edit it so that the top portion makes more sense, but...I don't even remember what was there, lol. And the edit button is currently missing. So, ignore whatever my first paragraph was saying cause it obviously makes no sense now. :huh:

arewethereyet

This is a post for people who wanted a little motivation or a reminder that they're best is fine. they don't have to compare their goals to others. i only run 3-5 miles a day and have only lost 33 pounds by pushing myself so i'm not as great as you.

But like fteale just said, I didn't start running by watching the other more fit girls do it, and I didn't compare my abilities to theirs. I compared my abilities to myself...my goals...my dream of getting better...and I hit the treadmill and took off to see what I could do. My first day I only did 3 miles in 45 minutes. That's a 15 minute mile, and some "less lazy" people could probably walk that. But you know what? I burned over 400 calories that workout and have since improved on myself to run longer and faster. And I am happy with that. Go me. Why is that so wrong???
[/quote]

I see that the mods have "cleaned up" this thread, but half my post is missing. I would edit it so that the top portion makes more sense, but...I don't even remember what was there, lol. And the edit button is currently missing. So, ignore whatever my first paragraph was saying cause it obviously makes no sense now. :huh:

Sorry, I am tired :laugh: I tried to clean it up because I love motivational threads and didn't want to just shut it down and delete it.

Didn't mean to chop up you post:ohwell: