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oncearunner
1/08/2004
10:51:30
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 Subject: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
Start time for the Marathon is 07:00, how about changing it to 06:00 so I will be able to finish before 13:00? There are a few things I would like to do on that Sunday after the Marathon. Also can you guys (HP Marathon directors) extend the official finishers time to 7 1/2 hours? I am having trouble geting my pace down to 17:00 minutes a mile.
Thank you for all the help HP Marathon Directors.
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race director
1/10/2004
02:31:02
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
Dear oncearunner:
We have thought over your request and have decided once again to deny your request. We would like to encourage you to work harder so that you can finish in the allocated time. If by chance you are unable to clear the course in the 6 hours you will not only have to dodge cars but watch out for that new rail system. It will totally ruin your day when it hits you. Keep up the training and have a nice day.
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oncearunner
1/13/2004
09:36:04
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
"Race director"
Thank you for your response. I do not agree with your negative decision in regards to my HPHOUSTON Marathon request. I will none the less respect the race director�s decision and just keep complaining until next year.
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Understands a joke
1/13/2004
21:03:55
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
Oncearunner: somebody's pulling your leg. Why don't you contact the race director directely. You can always go to run the marathon in Austin in February. The have an 8 hour limit.
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laughing all the way
1/14/2004
09:12:20
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
Understand: oncearunner is pulling YOUR leg. ask o-a-r about his last 20 miler, or about his hou-mar in 2002. you may get complete bs, but you might get the truth ...
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oncearunner
1/14/2004
15:32:10
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
IP: Logged
Message:
My original post was a try for some humor.
The fact that every where you look more and more marathons are adding the Budweiser horses / Philadelphia Cream Cheese categories and extending the official finishing times, makes the marathons in this country look more and more like an Oprah Winfre/Doctor Phil show for the Fat Azzess.
Instead of getting out there and busting it for miles upon miles of running so you can finish in a reasonable official time. Most of these so called Houston Fat, Gallooow Walkers just have to wait because the races (marathons) just continue to lower the standard.
It is sad to see the direction the Long distance running scene has gone over the past 20 years.
That was my point for this thread. I guess my horrible attempt at sarcastic humor was just that horrible.
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GP
1/15/2004
11:22:05
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
I'm surprised no one has come out to slam this guy for the opinion yet. I happen to agree with the point he's making. Here's a link to an article from RW online of all places that addresses a similar concern:
http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,1-0-0-6066,00
Is running still a sport, or has it become a fitness activity dominated by Oprah and P Diddy? A question to ponder.
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pinky
1/15/2004
19:59:04
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
Hasn't running always been a fitness activity? I think its great that so many people are attempting/finishing marathons. You don't have to be considered fast to be considered an athlete. Slower runners are dedicated just as their faster counterparts are. All sports have their elitist types. I think there's a place for all of us. As long as the slower folk don't try to elbow their way to the front of the starting line, what difference does it make? Unless you compete to win or to place in your age group, its all about trying to be healthy having an active lifestyle. I'm a solid mid packer and I say to you slow guys, rock on! To the types that feel they have to call others names, for shame!
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dave
1/15/2004
20:03:55
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
I see the both sides of this...But I don't see where having a bunch of 1st time Houston-Fitters running a 5plus hour marathon has to detract from any race time I run. I ran my 1st with houston fit 3 years ago and I'll finish in about 3 1/2 hours; why should I(or why should anyone else) care about any runner who finishes an hour after they have crossed the finish line.
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Divided mind
1/16/2004
08:08:23
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
I, too, see both sides of this debate. On one hand, I think it's great that more and more people get involved in running. On the other hand, it does get on my nerves when today's road races seem more interested in "runnertainment" than in putting on a competitive race.
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RTN Editor
1/16/2004
08:39:09
| RE: HPHouston Marathon
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Message:
As several of the previous posters acknowledge, there are two sides to this story.
I don't remember the exact scenario, but the legendary Bill Rodgers, when asked how he could run so fast, replied that he couldn't believe that people could run for 4 hours (or more). He felt that it was harder to run for that long than to run as fast as he did.
As with most things, it's all a matter of perspective.
Lance Phegley
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