My friend Amy passed along THIS BLOG POST and it got me thinking. First, I was super ticked at the Race Director and started to spout off a blog post that would have been my sassiest yet. But then I decided to take a step back, breathe, and work on my response this morning.
I have used the Galloway Method for most of my longer races and runs., but I am trying to get better about taking less walk breaks or intervals when it comes to shorter runs. That being said, I feel that this method is perfect for many runners. And yes, we are runners even if we walk a minute or three per mile. We are still moving faster than our normal walk. I hated when the ladies I coached would mention that they “weren’t real runners” because they walked some during their runs.
On the other side, I completely understand race cut-off times. There are safety issues and street closures issues, I totally get it. BUT for that RD to pull that woman off the course at mile one, when she was averaging 11:55 that first mile, is ridiculous.
This was not Boston, where she had to qualify for the race. This was a hometown race, which unfortunately due to the world wide web, I am sure will lose a few participants and those who have just started to run/walk and are scared they’ll be yanked from the course even though they can complete it in the prescribed time.
What are your thoughts on FAB RUNNING’s post and what the Race Director did?
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On a much happier note!!
Local Savannah People… make sure you RSVP on Facebook (via Victoria Runs) for the upcoming Parking Deck Crawl!
Get it? In lieu of ‘your place or mine’? HA!
That’s total bs.
I cannot believe that the ceo of the Destin chamber of commerce had the audacity to state this: “The release form signed by all participants plainly states “runners only” for the half marathon. ”
These guys obviously should not be hosting race for runners.
I think a good gesture by the people that ran this race would be to drop by the Destin chamber of commerce and drop their medals off there and proclaim that they will not run that race again unless all runners are allowed to.
I like your idea of returning the medals! I just hope they learn from their mistakes!
RUNNING makes you Runner! Enough said!
Amen girlie! I’ll be thinking about you on Friday!
I’ve been running less than a year, and I am guilty of saying “I’m not a real runner” because I walk/run. It’s held me back from running with others…..other “real” runners. The fact still remains that I’ve completed half marathons and hold the exact same medals as they do. If I had been the one pulled at the Destin race, it would have crushed me and probably turned me off of running forever. I hope the chamber can get their act together for future races – and maybe consult some running groups to learn how to put on race.
Exactly!
That blog post just pissed me off. I am seriously shaking my head here. I haven’t run any race (half to a 5K) where there weren’t people walking at some point. WHO CARES? She is out there running her heart out, in a method that works for her, and at a pace that would put her well under the cut-off time. UGH.
I know! I was so furious… had to chill out a little before I wrote my post!!
I’m trying to imagine this happening in Savannah…and it doesn’t look pretty, lol.
hahah, you are so right Mark! Run soon?