Good morning
I will not pretend to be Irish but, I will wish all a “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day”! Now grab your coffee and pull up a comfortable chair.
Are you and I considered “competitive runners”? Unless we are competing for financial gain (race prize money and endorsements), technically we are not considered competitive runners instead, we are defined as “recreational runners.” Since most competitive runners get injured, I guess we should feel relief that we are labeled as recreational runners. Despite this relief, most runners (me for one) do not like being labeled a “recreational runner”. I have done far too many intervals and those are not recreational!
A person that had never run decides to start and they begin by huffing and puffing around the block a couple of times. Within a couple of weeks, they are not breathing so fiercely and by week six, they are running 2 miles. This new-found ability to run 2 miles after having never run before incites thoughts of greater things, such as a 5K. Once across that local 5K finish line, a “recreational runner” is born! Others are drawn to running by a sign on Congress street in Portsmouth in front of “Runners Alley” that invites them to join a beginner 5K training group and again a “recreational runner” is born.
As a certified running coach and a runner, I have never liked the term “recreational runner”. This term or definition for most runners, does not seem to represent the intrinsic motivation that runners have to improve or take on new challenges. The connotation that is associated with “recreational runner” is that we lace up our shoes and jog various distances void of any competitive drive. While that may be accurate and even ideal, I rarely see it. Every runner I have encountered has one or two goals, either run further or faster. Okay, maybe a third; run further and faster! What starts out as a way to get in shape or lose weight, inevitably turns to a desire to improve or challenge themselves. Races encourage us by having age group winners but, I also believe that when we see our name on the overall results, we often are motivated to move up on that list. Then, it is only a matter of time before we find that 5K is not challenging enough and greater distances are the next logical progression. Once upon a time, that next distance was a 10K but, much to my chagrin, many jump right to the half marathon (13.1 miles)! All the while, this is considered “recreational running.”
Of the millions of us that lace up our shoes and run various distances, only about 1 percent take home a cash prize and of that one percent, only about one quarter, take home a substantial amount. Those same figures probably hold true for being paid to where a logo while running or being used for marketing. The rest of us are competing for personal records (PRs), top 10 age group, local competition or as I mentioned, just to move up on the race results list. Me personally, I use to compete to get in the top 100 of the overall finishers. I am proud that I made it into the top 100 for many races and I am sure many of you have great memories of various results or are looking forward to surpassing a certain pace or distance.
Being a “recreational runner” most certainly does not mean we are not “competitive runners.” We may not compete for the top prizes or get paid by “New Balance” to market their apparel but, most of us compete at some level. That competition might not be versus the other runners, but instead may be the self-improvement of our time or distance. NFLR works with all levels of competitive runners that are technically “recreational runners” and reconciling the two is an important part of our coaching philosophy.
Over the coming weeks, I will chat about this subject as it pertains to healthy and enjoyable running. Competitive running has significant ramifications and understanding them is critical to all runners. Our mindsets as runners might be leisurely but, our actual execution may be otherwise.
Have a great Friday and a super weekend!
God Bless!
Mike
