Comments on: Too Slow to Run a Marathon http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:09:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: You Mother Runner » The Marathon http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-788 You Mother Runner » The Marathon Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:05:44 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-788 [...] a place in a marathon. Of course, I vehemently disagreed with the article and voiced my opinion here. I believe, as so many people do, that marathons are for just about [...] [...] a place in a marathon. Of course, I vehemently disagreed with the article and voiced my opinion here. I believe, as so many people do, that marathons are for just about [...]

]]> By: jencrego http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-223 jencrego Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:27:26 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-223 Paul, thanks for leaving a comment here. I'm relieved to hear the comments weren't quoted correctly. It makes me wonder if Adrienne's comments were real or not. It seems like this article has created a bit of an uproar from the running community. I wonder how the NYT is dealing with Ms. Macur. Paul, thanks for leaving a comment here. I’m relieved to hear the comments weren’t quoted correctly. It makes me wonder if Adrienne’s comments were real or not. It seems like this article has created a bit of an uproar from the running community. I wonder how the NYT is dealing with Ms. Macur.

]]> By: Paul Given http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Paul Given Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:06:05 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-222 Hello, I want to let you know that Julia Given was miss-quoted in the article. her quote was taken out of context to support the article. I knowbecause I was there when Julia was interviewed. Ms Macur stopped us as we were headed to pick up our packets for the Baltimore marathon. Julia's complete quote when presented with the premise from the reported that larger marathons with lots of "slower" runners were ruining the mystique of the marathon was: 'We love the larger races. They are a lot of fun with so many people running; They are quite festive and great for the host cities" When asked about slower runners, Julia responded with: " They way races work today, slower runners don;t get in the way of faster runners because of the wave starts" Then julia was prompted about how she feels about slower runners not really running the marathon " I am not worried about slower runners, some people might think I am slow. If you are really worried about it you can ask them their time, and make you own judgment" so as you can see her quote was not as it appeared in the article. It was obvious once the article came out that Ms. Macur had already determined her slant for the article. I think it funny that she resulted to taking the quote from Julia Given out of context to make her premise. it seems that she really found it difficult to find anyone to provide a legit quote to support her premise. And this is why running is so great. Runners are the friendliest group people. When I go to races I enjoy the camaraderie and support of other runners and do my best to cheer for others and chat up people along the way. I find it interesting that Ms. Macur is not a runner. As I recall from our conversation, she has not ever trained and run for a race. Julia and I both encouraged her to find a race, train for it and run. We even invited her to come run in Charlottesville. The invitation still stands. We would like to show Ms. Macur first hand the wonderful experience of running a race with others. So that she can experience the encouragement of others who are faster and slower than she is running. That is what makes our sport so great. We compete and encourage at the same time. Thanks for the opportunity to set the record straight. Keep up the running and good luck in your next race! Paul Given Hello,

I want to let you know that Julia Given was miss-quoted in the article. her quote was taken out of context to support the article. I knowbecause I was there when Julia was interviewed.

Ms Macur stopped us as we were headed to pick up our packets for the Baltimore marathon.

Julia’s complete quote when presented with the premise from the reported that larger marathons with lots of “slower” runners were ruining the mystique of the marathon was:

‘We love the larger races. They are a lot of fun with so many people running; They are quite festive and great for the host cities”

When asked about slower runners, Julia responded with:

” They way races work today, slower runners don;t get in the way of faster runners because of the wave starts”

Then julia was prompted about how she feels about slower runners not really running the marathon

” I am not worried about slower runners, some people might think I am slow. If you are really worried about it you can ask them their time, and make you own judgment”

so as you can see her quote was not as it appeared in the article.

It was obvious once the article came out that Ms. Macur had already determined her slant for the article. I think it funny that she resulted to taking the quote from Julia Given out of context to make her premise. it seems that she really found it difficult to find anyone to provide a legit quote to support her premise.

And this is why running is so great. Runners are the friendliest group people. When I go to races I enjoy the camaraderie and support of other runners and do my best to cheer for others and chat up people along the way.

I find it interesting that Ms. Macur is not a runner. As I recall from our conversation, she has not ever trained and run for a race. Julia and I both encouraged her to find a race, train for it and run. We even invited her to come run in Charlottesville.

The invitation still stands. We would like to show Ms. Macur first hand the wonderful experience of running a race with others. So that she can experience the encouragement of others who are faster and slower than she is running.

That is what makes our sport so great. We compete and encourage at the same time.

Thanks for the opportunity to set the record straight.
Keep up the running and good luck in your next race!

Paul Given

]]> By: Kerrie @ Mom vs. Marathon http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-218 Kerrie @ Mom vs. Marathon Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:41:04 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-218 I LOVE your "comment." Sorry you have to "sit it out" for a couple of weeks. Hope your achilles heals quickly! PS: Found you on Lisa's blog. :) I LOVE your “comment.” Sorry you have to “sit it out” for a couple of weeks. Hope your achilles heals quickly!

PS: Found you on Lisa’s blog. :)

]]> By: smilinggreenmom http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-217 smilinggreenmom Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:32:10 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-217 This is disgusting that any kind hearted human being wouldn't be proud of someone else's HUGE accomplishment!! These people haveno right to judge or look down upon others who are trying their best and doing something so challenging that so many others could never do! What a absolute shame. I for one would love to do a marathon someday and even though I used to be a competitive swimmer...I would probably have to walk and STILL use 100 tubes of my Topricin pain cream!! That's just the way it goes - but too bad for those who finish first with such a lack of empathy. This is disgusting that any kind hearted human being wouldn’t be proud of someone else’s HUGE accomplishment!! These people haveno right to judge or look down upon others who are trying their best and doing something so challenging that so many others could never do! What a absolute shame. I for one would love to do a marathon someday and even though I used to be a competitive swimmer…I would probably have to walk and STILL use 100 tubes of my Topricin pain cream!! That’s just the way it goes – but too bad for those who finish first with such a lack of empathy.

]]> By: Netta http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-216 Netta Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:39:23 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-216 Appalling. How could anyone disparage others from getting out there and participating in something that can make you feel so good about yourself! I love running. It is my meditation, and for the most part I do it by myself, but I will gladly share it with anyone. I want others to experience the feeling of accomplishment the freedom, and the excitement I get from running. Not everyone is built for speed and thank god! I wonder how these people would feel if suddenly they couldn't run fast and either had to run slow or give up their sport. What do you think they would do or say then? Appalling. How could anyone disparage others from getting out there and participating in something that can make you feel so good about yourself! I love running. It is my meditation, and for the most part I do it by myself, but I will gladly share it with anyone. I want others to experience the feeling of accomplishment the freedom, and the excitement I get from running. Not everyone is built for speed and thank god! I wonder how these people would feel if suddenly they couldn’t run fast and either had to run slow or give up their sport. What do you think they would do or say then?

]]> By: Lisa http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Lisa Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:57:24 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-215 Totally agree with you. There is discussion about this very article over on the Runnersworld.com forums. You would think that people would be happy that their sport is becoming more popular but as with everything, there are elitists everywhere. Oh well for them. Totally agree with you. There is discussion about this very article over on the Runnersworld.com forums. You would think that people would be happy that their sport is becoming more popular but as with everything, there are elitists everywhere. Oh well for them.

]]> By: kim Lester http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-214 kim Lester Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:31:12 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-214 Hey I agree with you!!! I am sorry i got you all mad. Hey
I agree with you!!! I am sorry i got you all mad.

]]> By: jencrego http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-213 jencrego Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:43:14 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-213 Keep up the good work, Kris!! Keep up the good work, Kris!!

]]> By: Kris http://www.youmotherrunner.com/2009/10/23/too-slow-to-run-a-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Kris Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:41:43 +0000 http://www.youmotherrunner.com/?p=249#comment-212 Right on Jen! I went as fast as I could during the two marathons I completed..... well over 6 hours each! Right on Jen! I went as fast as I could during the two marathons I completed….. well over 6 hours each!

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