Why the discouraging comments?

"Mark and Christine" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Even if you prescribe to the
"everyone's a winner" mentality, you have to draw a line somewhere.

Well, there are people giving it their best shot, and others just cruising.
Assuming we are talking about the folks who are working hard, what line?

By definition, the 50th percentile of any race is mediocre, isn't it? Duh!
Saying that the middle/back of the pack is mediocre is just stating the
obvious, but doing so in a hurtful way.

Or is your definition of mediocre all those who finish out of the money in
4th thru last place, since they are clearly not "winners".

I see the expressions of discomfort and effort on people behind me in races,
and I don't feel one bit superior to those who are giving it their all--I'm
just luckier or better trained. And the same thing goes in reverse, when I
contemplate the guys and gals in front. I respect them, but I note their
effort levels, and I swear, some of the time, they're breathing easier than
I am!

Quoted message said:

This woman simply stated the truth, and sometimes it hurts - get over it.

Well, some people are going to say rude and arrogant things, and, yes one
has to get over it.

-- Dan

And I appreciate that you've never said that out loud 🙂 I mean
it--everyone is entitled to their opinion and I honestly respect your
opinion (who knows what opinions I have in other arenas that would hurt
peoples' feelings?!), even if I disagree.

Mandy

PS I don't prescribe the everyone's a winner, and I'm not sure if I
even subscribe to it (which is what I think you meant).

I love seeing the fasties--when they are in the back half of an
out-and-back and I'm on the out half, when they jog back like you
describe, etc.

Mandy said:

I love seeing the fasties--when they are in the back half of an
out-and-back and I'm on the out half, when they jog back like you
describe, etc.

I love seeing pasties too,. I'm surprised you admit to it.
TBR

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the
White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
"Anyone with degrees from Yale and Harvard is presumed to be intelligent,
but George W. Bush has managed to overcome that presumption."

Hee hee. Jogging costume. I'm going to use that a lot from now on.

Mandy said:

Hee hee. Jogging costume. I'm going to use that a lot from now on.

Well I already got dibs on Spiderman, so look for something else!
TBR

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the
White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
"Anyone with degrees from Yale and Harvard is presumed to be intelligent,
but George W. Bush has managed to overcome that presumption."

The Bill Rodgers <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

On 14 Sep 2005 18:55:15 -0700, [email hidden] wrote:
Or shall I tell you why you're so stupid Lance? You fell
for an obvious troll.
TBR

Actually Bill, he didn't fall for a troll. It was a serious
post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
"Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent. I
see it every week end that I run. Race directors that take
the time to allow the runners to start in a reasonable order
that are defeated by people who are in the "7 min and under"
chute talking on their cell phone when the gun goes off. The
women (mostly) who start in the middle of the pack with a baby
jogger in front of them. And then there are people in this
thread calling anyone who doesn't agree with them "stupid."
That ranks right up there with the woman described in the
original post, only she at least had some of the facts.

What is rather stupid in this thread is the opinion of at
least a few that Mediocre means "Middle of the pack" or "50th
precentile. It actually means "of moderate or low quality,
value, ability, or performance" according to Webster. All of
which is subjective, of course. So you don't agree with that
assessment. Fine. So you find that the woman that said it is
crass and the comment unnecessary. Fine. Thankfully the
opinion that unpopular comentary should be suppressed is not
wide spread.

Christine

Mark and Christine <[email hidden]> wrote:
.......

Quoted message said:

It was a serious
post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
"Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent.

I guess that would include that woman in the race who
"jogged back" to rejoin the "race."

And obviously, you're new here. Lance and a serious post?

"Mark and Christine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It was a serious
post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
"Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent. I
see it every week end that I run. Race directors that take
the time to allow the runners to start in a reasonable order
that are defeated by people who are in the "7 min and under"
chute talking on their cell phone when the gun goes off. The
women (mostly) who start in the middle of the pack with a baby
jogger in front of them. And then there are people in this
thread calling anyone who doesn't agree with them "stupid."
That ranks right up there with the woman described in the
original post, only she at least had some of the facts.

What is rather stupid in this thread is the opinion of at
least a few that Mediocre means "Middle of the pack" or "50th
precentile. It actually means "of moderate or low quality,
value, ability, or performance" according to Webster. All of
which is subjective, of course. So you don't agree with that
assessment. Fine. So you find that the woman that said it is
crass and the comment unnecessary. Fine. Thankfully the
opinion that unpopular comentary should be suppressed is not
wide spread.

Christine

So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not enter
races, and not participate in running clubs. Then all you superior types can
have all the (many fewer) events to yourselves! which I'm sure would make
you all very happy. No crowds. Nobody getting in your way. And while you're
out there running in your exclusive races, the "mediocre" folk will be doing
their own thing, rather than wasting their time and money supporting your
events. I really don't *have* to get up at 4-5am to volunteer at a race; and
the charities will find other ways to raise money -- whatever activities are
currently of interest to a wide variety of people.
bj
(& I've been passed by a baby-jogger-pushing woman going *uphill*,
that's how "mediocre" I am -- but I comfort myself with the thought
that I'm 25-30 years older!)

bj said:

So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not enter
races, and not participate in running clubs.

Yes. That would bring the race fees down to a reasonable amount.

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:28:19 GMT, Mark and Christine <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The Bill Rodgers <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

On 14 Sep 2005 18:55:15 -0700, [email hidden] wrote:
Or shall I tell you why you're so stupid Lance? You fell
for an obvious troll.
TBR

Actually Bill, he didn't fall for a troll. It was a serious
post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
"Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent. I
see it every week end that I run. Race directors that take
the time to allow the runners to start in a reasonable order
that are defeated by people who are in the "7 min and under"
chute talking on their cell phone when the gun goes off. The
women (mostly) who start in the middle of the pack with a baby
jogger in front of them. And then there are people in this
thread calling anyone who doesn't agree with them "stupid."
That ranks right up there with the woman described in the
original post, only she at least had some of the facts.

What is rather stupid in this thread is the opinion of at
least a few that Mediocre means "Middle of the pack" or "50th
precentile. It actually means "of moderate or low quality,
value, ability, or performance" according to Webster. All of
which is subjective, of course. So you don't agree with that
assessment. Fine. So you find that the woman that said it is
crass and the comment unnecessary. Fine. Thankfully the
opinion that unpopular comentary should be suppressed is not
wide spread.

Christine

Christine,
You've just been trolled. I make the same comment everytime a post is
remotely questionable.
TBR

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the
White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
"Anyone with degrees from Yale and Harvard is presumed to be intelligent,
but George W. Bush has managed to overcome that presumption."

On Fri, 16 Sep 2005 01:22:37 GMT, "bj" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not enter
races, and not participate in running clubs.

Sounds fair to me.
TBR

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the
White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
"Anyone with degrees from Yale and Harvard is presumed to be intelligent,
but George W. Bush has managed to overcome that presumption."

"Mark and Christine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
: The Bill Rodgers <[email hidden]> wrote in
: news:[email hidden]:
:
: > On 14 Sep 2005 18:55:15 -0700, [email hidden] wrote:
: > Or shall I tell you why you're so stupid Lance? You fell
: > for an obvious troll.
: > TBR
:
: Actually Bill, he didn't fall for a troll. It was a serious
: post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
: sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
: "Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent. I
: see it every week end that I run. Race directors that take
: the time to allow the runners to start in a reasonable order
: that are defeated by people who are in the "7 min and under"
: chute talking on their cell phone when the gun goes off. The
: women (mostly) who start in the middle of the pack with a baby
: jogger in front of them. And then there are people in this
: thread calling anyone who doesn't agree with them "stupid."
: That ranks right up there with the woman described in the
: original post, only she at least had some of the facts.
:
: What is rather stupid in this thread is the opinion of at
: least a few that Mediocre means "Middle of the pack" or "50th
: precentile. It actually means "of moderate or low quality,
: value, ability, or performance" according to Webster. All of
: which is subjective, of course. So you don't agree with that
: assessment. Fine. So you find that the woman that said it is
: crass and the comment unnecessary. Fine. Thankfully the
: opinion that unpopular comentary should be suppressed is not
: wide spread.
:

Let me guess- Democrat? Feminist? Overall jerk and not well-liked by many?

: Christine

Ummm...dude- take econ 101. Economies of scale- it would send the race fees
through the roof.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jupchurc/greatest_movie_line.wmv

"macelroy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
: bj wrote:
:
: > So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not
enter
: > races, and not participate in running clubs.
:
: Yes. That would bring the race fees down to a reasonable amount.
:

bj said:

"Mark and Christine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It was a serious
post to respond to a bunch of people who seem to have lost
sight of why the form they sign on Saturday has the word
"Race" in it and not "Charity Fun Run" or the equivelent.

Actually, they usually say "run", "challenge", "run and soak", and
rarely "race" - at least the ones I do. Even 100-mi events are
frequently called "endurance runs".

Quoted message said:

So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not enter
races, and not participate in running clubs. Then all you superior types can
have all the (many fewer) events to yourselves!

Hmmm, has Christine ever said anything to suggest she's not a
mid-packer? All the runners I know at the faster end of the spectrum are
really supportive of us slower ones.

Quoted message said:

I really don't *have* to get up at 4-5am to volunteer at a race; and
the charities will find other ways to raise money -- whatever activities are
currently of interest to a wide variety of people.

I suspect the running world will keep on going the way it is - lots of
people out there running and challenging themselves and raising money
for charity. The volume of people will keep race costs down. It's a
win-win situation.

Dot

--
"It's not football, but it is trail running." - Julie Udchachon, Women's
US 50k trail champion 2005

bikeme said:

Ummm...dude- take econ 101. Economies of scale- it would send the race fees
through the roof.

Ummm...dude- take econ 100. In that course they talk about the law of
supply and demand.

You overweight joggers have let your fat creep into your brains.

"I like it when they pass me"!.

I get beat every day. it the laws of nature.
The older slow down and the younger speed up.
get use to it.
Your so nice. what are you doing in this group?.......snicker.

say this 3 times.
I am u.s.a. person.
I believe in God.
and only thing comes to mind. is life.
we well see who they cry out for when the time comes.
atheist p brains.
congress has not found a subject yet they haven't talk about to death.

and [censored] is so cool.

2;20 owh baby that hurt!
That hurt big time.

And how many races would be put on -- once it's clear that only elites need
bother entering? I certainly wouldn't volunteer my time to help, if that's
the attitude of the fast runners. You might even have to carry your own
water supplies! Horrors! However, you wouldn't need much help in
registration or finish line -- with just a few entries -- & the runners
could take care of keeping track themselves who came in ahead of who, & look
at the clock & report their own times.

"macelroy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

bj said:

So all us slow runners ("mediocre" and worse) should stay home, not enter
races, and not participate in running clubs.

Yes. That would bring the race fees down to a reasonable amount.

we are not all cowboys?
some places have the gay bash wear your hat and come as you are races.

Lets say from this point to the hill round that big rock over the path
bridge and trues the field and back here. loser buys the pizza.

or winner buys the beer.(1 beer)
cop boss saluted me.
got the hat with the blue eye. Thanks again.
all work related. Why do they involve me. hunters scan woods again.
what else is new. (ORION THE HUNTER).
workers here act like I am going to respond......Geeeeeeeeee willie.
RIP.
Nice bike crawford. hee hee heee. I own 20 more trash bike then you
since then hee hee hee......
2:20 marathon Owch baby that hurt really bad.
somebody still owes me $8.00, 120 mile bike ride. in 13 ½ hours. on 40
mile 3 stop to store to cache in 10¢ cans found and a 12 pack of bud.

You would buy the beer.
we'll at least the government came thru on me. yes I got it.
cashiers checks are made to wait to see if the 9 apostles or the winner
is liable to pay. I say no proff. gave to cops....
Are we all listening.
Well they ever decide? 1 hand waits for the others.
Got to go........