I’ve recently seen a movement online for runners to stop calling themselves slow. I have been working over how I feel about this and how best to explain my stance without offending anyone.
I completely understand the concept behind not calling yourself “slow.” I understand that to some, it means that you are also calling everyone who runs at a slower pace than you a horrible runner. But I actually disagree with both that premise and the idea that slow is a 4 letter word of the “bad” variety. Allow me to explain.
Running, while an incredibly social sport, is ultimately about you as an individual. Each day when I run, I strive to be a better runner than I was the day before. It’s not about comparison, it’s about self improvement. With that being said, most things in running (as in life) are relative. I know some incredibly speedy runners and when I look at my times relative to theirs, I am slow(er). I also have some awesome runner friends who when I look at their times relative to mine, I am fast(er). That’s just how it works. So, sometimes I’m fast and sometimes I’m slow. And I think that is okay.
When I say that I am slow, I’m not saying anything about anyone else nor am I implying anything about another runner. I simply am stating that right now I do think I am “slow” and would like to become a “faster” runner. I’m not getting down on myself, I’m not judging anyone who runs at a slower pace than I do. I just know that I am capable of running faster than I currently do – thus that’s why I am including speed work in my training. I have a pace in my head that is fast in my mind. Until I run that pace consistently, I will describe myself as a slow runner. I’m okay with that fact – I’m working hard every most days to improve my running and I know it’s a process.
Also, in a very practical, lawyerly minded way, I always think: obviously there are very fast runners out there. Every thing has its opposite. If there are fast runners, doesn’t there also have to be slow runners? Of course. And that is okay.
I think the key is being comfortable in who you are and extending that to your running. Yes, I’m a slow runner. You might be a slow runner as well. You might be a fast runner. You might be a “fast” runner in my own mind (all you 8 minute milers, I’m looking at you!) but a “slow” runner in your own mind because you are striving for 6 minute miles. In the end, it’s just words and in my opinion, words with very little power.
Feeling “fast” here…
The end of the same race, feeling decidedly SLOW and EXHAUSTED. It happens!
What do you think? Do you get upset when you hear others call themselves slow?
I think you make some great points! I definitely don’t get upset when other people call themselves slow. I always try to remind them that – hey – you’re doing it! That’s better than the person who does nothing. And we all definitely have our starting points. My very first race, a half-marathon (in Nashville, mind you, SO hilly), my time was just shy of 2.5 hours. Fast forward a year and a half, filled with many, many miles, and an even hillier half I managed my half-PR, 1:47. I think that whether we realize it or not, we ARE always trying to be better, one run at a time. And “fast” or “slow”, we runners are awesome crew!
Love your last line, “and fast or slow, we runners are an awesome crew!” AMEN to that, girl 🙂 And you are a perfect example of how someone can go from what they may consider slow to fast over a period of time. Awesome!
You make some good points. I think there’s an interesting vibe around the word slow as a whole. People who run 9 min miles and call themselves slow anger me. Even at 10 min miles, that’s not slow (in my opinion). It might not be what you want, but in no way is that slow. So I mentally go through – well if you think that’s slow, then what am I? I’m not even on the chart! I know it’s all relative to their expected level and success, I get that – but I just wish people would possibly realize that when they say they are slow, they’re making other people – like me, who really is slow, wonder if it’s even a point to classify myself as a runner. If that makes sense.
I know everyone has different expectations, but maybe wording it differently to simply say that someone wishes they were faster than to say they are slow might put it in a different light.
I’m sorry – it’s morning and I haven’t had any caffeine yet, so I probably make zero sense.
No, you make perfect sense and I think the key to what you said is that “it’s all relative.” To someone who seeks to run a 7 minute mile, running a 10 minute mile is slow (for them). It’s all relative – you say that you really are slow, but I bet there are runners out there who wish they were running your times. There will always be someone faster AND slower than us and I think that focusing on comparing ourselves with others will only bring on negative feelings.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful response!
This is a great post and I agree with everything you said. To me running is a very individual, personal sport….even in a group/team dynamic. A pace might be ‘slow’ for me but ‘fast’ for you or vice versa. I tend to just shrug it off if people say I’m slow or fast or average or whatever the case may be. The same holds true when they are talking about their own pace. I’m not the same runner as you, I’m not competing with you. I’m competing against myself. My body is different than yours and acts just as differently. Slow, fast, skinny, fat, at the end of the day – we’re all putting way too much emphasis on what we are in comparison to others.
Yes, exactly! Love when you say, ” I’m not the same runner as you, I’m not competing with you. I’m competing against myself” That’s exactly the point I was trying to make! Thanks for your response 🙂
I think as runners it’s easy for us all to fall into that comparison trap and feeling like we aren’t good enough or fast enough as the next person. As others have mentioned there’s always going to be someone faster or slower than you. That’s just the name of the game. We are all on our own journeys and shouldn’t lose sight of the real reason why we run in the first place. For me it’s not always about pace or measuring myself up to other runners. I run for the mental benefits it gives me and I RACE because it makes me feel free from limitations and the cares of everyday life.
I agree 100%! Thanks for commenting and thanks also for the shutout on your blog today 🙂
I really like your post and you make some really wonderful points! I am not really sure where I come down on the use of the word “slow” but I totally agree that it’s all relative. What is fast for you may be slow for someone else, and vice versa. I think the key is that we don’t fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to other runners (which I often do). Of course I want to be faster, but I should not compare myself to Skinny Runner. She is some sort of crazy beast runner that I will never be and I should not feel bad about that.
Exactly! The comparison trap is no dangerous and there are never any winners! Love your attitude Beth!
Great points! Speed is a very relative term.. it’s more about how you feel. Everyone is slow or fast compared to someone else!
emma @ a mom runs this town
Thanks, Emma – I especially agree with “everyone is slow or fast compared to someone else.” SO true!
As as a slow runner myself, I only get upset when I hear other people demean themselves for it. You’re out there, you’re getting a mile in- it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Years ago, it wasn’t acceptable for people to do marathons if they ran “slow” but the day of run snobbery is behind us and we’re embracing all paces, I love it!
Amen girl! I couldn’t have said it better 🙂
My running group has a saying that we love to say “Your pace, your race.” I always say embrace your pace. If you think you’re slow and want to be faster…. then work towards it! I rather not hear ppl complain about being slow. I am slower than a lot but I don’t think I’m slow.
I love that saying! So true 🙂
Great post! I think we are all prone to say and hear things through our own perspective (naturally), and so rather than responding to “what she meant” or even “what she said”, I am prone to react to “what I heard” and “how I felt”. As with so many things in life, even this conversation about “slow” changes completely when instead of thinking “if she thinks SHE’s slow, what must she be thinking about ME?!” I ask “if she thinks she’s slow, what does that mean about what she is trying to achieve and how she is feeling?”. In the same vein, when I say something, am I mindful of what the other person will hear, or am I only thinking about what I meant and am leaving them to receive it however they want?
Being a new “runner”–no, runner (sans quotation marks)–I am really encouraged and (admittedly a little surprised) by how supportive this community is, no matter your pace or your goals. Rather than categorically making a call on word like “slow”, I think we’re all well-served to go the extra mile (get it? I made a running joke 😉 and listen and talk in a way that considers how we are received, by which audience, and to listen carefully and weigh the intentions of the speaker/writer before responding according to what we hear through our own filters.