Wilke yesterday. 8 up, 3 backwards, 3 sprints. During, Gilbert said, “you have to get in the weight room.” Well, maybe. Afterwards, Andre said, “you must have felt energetic.” Yeah, I guess. But something has been bothering me….
Is the Gazelles primarily a marathon training group? I didn’t think it was, but often the group seems to be a bit too biased towards marathoners and their training, so I wonder sometimes. Conversations are always “how far?” and “how long?” and “what marathon?” Recently someone asked how the Saturday long run went, and when it was mentioned that I did a little over 9 miles, this person said “that’s all”? Good grief, that’s the third longest run of my life, including the half-marathon. And this wasn’t the first (or second or third) time that conversation has occurred. It’s kind of tiresome always explaining how maybe you’d love to run a marathon some day, but you don’t really have any desire to train for a marathon. At least not right now. Which is kind of unfortunate since, although Gilbert does a great job working with all levels, it sometimes feels like the training sessions are designed primarily for the marathoners. I know I’ve heard talk that the Gazelles is heavily slanted, if not specifically towards marathoners, at least towards the “fast runners”. It must be tough to design and run a group that is inclusive of everyone, especially beginners.
I wonder though, if all this Marathon-focus I feel is not primarily a Gazelles issue, but a running community issue. It’s probably just my personal neurosis, but people look at you funny when you say “oh, I’m just trying to get faster” or “I just do 5Ks” or, gasp, “no more races for me”. You can see the quizzical look in their eyes. Often, that look will turn into words: “what, no marathon?” or “oh, you just need to do longer runs” or “why waste money on a 20 minute race?” Yeah, I’ve heard all of those before. So I don’t know, I haven’t been around long, but it seems like marathons and marathon training groups (like the triathlon scene) have exploded lately. It’s all PRs and GIs and Gu’s and GPS and HR and recovery runs. Dude, I just want to run. Marathons aren’t for everyone, obviously, and I actually think they’ve lost some of their luster. I mean, if Oprah and Will Ferrell and P. Puffy Diddy Daddy Combs completed a marathon …. well, congratulations to everyone with the commitment to run a marathon, maybe we’ll join you some day. I mean that. But for right now, leave some room for the rest of us.
You are right. Its not just the Gazelle group but the running community here in Austin. It has always been this way since i started running 10yrs ago. I used to run marathons but now i just train for fun or maybe a 5k. I am SICK of hearing about marathoners. Duane
Just do your thing Dave. Don’t listen to those bastards. Michael Strait doesn’t do marathons. Bernard doesn’t do them either. I’ve got lots of friends who just do it for fun and to stay healthy. You’re an awesome runner, just run what you feel and try not to let all the b.s. bother you.
Note to self: don’t mention the M word around Dave. :)
Training for a marathon is a bitch. It takes too much darn time. I absolutely agree and I don’t particularly like that event to be honest.
Keep up the good work and go kick ass at your distances. I agree with Jorge and think it’s an Austin thing. Marathoning is actually easier b/c marathon training does not bring out that “I’m going to puke my guts out during this run” feeling. That’s the rush we get for the Congress Avenue Mile or the Dog Pound Loop. It’s torture, but boy is it fun.
Anyway, keep doin’ what you’re doin’ my friend. You’re right on. Adding a little on Saturdays like you’re doing now WILL give you one hell of a kick–speaking from experience. Anyway… like you need a kick. I’ve been reading your splits. You bastard!