July 9th, 2010
Had a good run this morning: 10mi w/8x2min fartleks (rests averaged about 1:30). Fine effort for the weather. And the groin was blessedly silent thanks to the Vitamin I regime. I’m glad to go off it though, bloats me up something fierce.
Couple things on my mind today:
It’s astounding how much we become party to the life and death of people we’d never have known if not through the internet. The world has become so much smaller, happier and tragic because of it.
Don’t know if any of you know the RW forumite Mere Runner. I got to meet her in March at the Shamrock Marathon and we’re FB friends. She’s a 30-year old, super fast, sweet girl of a runner and she got married 3 short months ago. The thing is, her husband had cancer and last night, he died. I don’t know why I’m sharing this, maybe some of you know her, but it really killed me to hear it. It’s just so insanely heartbreaking.
The other thing I wanted to mention was I think I need a new forum home. I’m fed up with some of the pricks on MRT at the Runners World forums. There’s a glaring lack of empathy for others and the resident “good ole boy” network is a carnival of rampant egos – a total dick-sucking contest. This is nothing new, btw, it’s always been like that, but where I used to find it entertaining, now it’s just annoying.
I’ll still post in the Sub 3:20 thread because those folks are top-of-the line fabulous and true friends, but aside from that, where to go? I’m thinking of checking in with the Masters or maybe I should check out RunningAhead or maybe I should just skip forums altogether. I don’t participate as much as I used to and am not sure I want to share on a daily basis anymore. Anyway, that’s what’s going through my head.
Other than that, I’m going to a party tomorrow and when I asked Deb, the hostess, “So…any single men coming?” Deb replied, “Nobody that doesn’t have a reason to be.” Hah! But damn.
Posted in Running
A short post from you, but you also said a lot.
I don’t know Mere Runner, but I recognize the screen name. Tragic and heartbreaking to be sure. Things like that put everything else into perspective…
I assume you are specifically talking about the “Jealous” thread and generally talking about the vibe at MRT. I’m not sure; I think that post just rubbed some people the wrong way, but I totally acknowledge your point about the vibe. I don’t think you should leave or just hide out in 3:20…you are a great counterbalance to others’ opinions. I can see where you’re coming from.
It seems like you are in a funk lately? Is that the case? If so, I hope that things turn around for you. You’re good at finding silver linings.
The Jealous thread is what capped it (now with the comments to Cmon) but it’s been on my mind before that. The thing about counterbalancing with my opinion is that I often want to say so much more but those folks are so good about turning things around, I know I’d just end up being the worse for it, so I don’t say anything. I hate putting a lid on it.
And you’re a sweety, Jeremy, thanks for the funk talk. I blame PMS.
Terrible news about Mere. She’s endured so much. As for the rest, it’s insignificant, but I hope to see you at MRT. It’s important not to take these things seriously.
You’re right, it is insignificant. I’m a little out of place there anyway, due to my non-marathon choice, so it seems natural for me to move on. Eh, maybe Facebook is my final hangout.
I think I need to log in and get a better picture. That little potato head monster dude is disturbing. Plus, he has terrible hair.
Lol, go to gravatar.com and use the picture of your choice! Some beautiful curly locks would be nice. ;-)
Ha I looked up the thread and found that my brother posted there. He is always getting into with people on RW. (he’s RunnerMike- BTW).
I used to post there but grew tired especially of small animals with big egos.
Now between the DRC, twitter, facebook- I think I have a fair amount of running friends with which I can have quality discussions about running.
HAH! So that’s the mysterious no-avatar Runner Mike! What an excellent fun fact. Yeah, you are well hooked up on the running chatter front.
Hmm. I had not even looked at the jealous thread, was simply put off by the title. Maybe I will now, in a can’t-resist-looking-at-the-wreck kind of way. Please don’t stop posting, Flo. You brighten our days.
“Small animals with big egos” – now whoever could runnermatt be referring to?
If you think RWOL is bad, take a look at the forums on letsrun.com. Oh boy!
I do not know Mere Runner. That’s awful, but good of you to mention it.
Letsrun is like that because it’s totally anonymous, anyone can post without registering, so it’s a free for all. Plus, it’s got a high quantity of high school kids posting.
Yeah, go take a look at it. You’ll see I enjoyed myself after posting this blog entry.
So you did, haha! But the thread was pretty dopey.
Yeah, it’s a stupid thread, but as usual, someone posts something (2 different subjects) and the guys are going at it like sharks, especially on Cmon. If the rodent isn’t enough, now RB-look-at-me-I’m-50-don’t-forget-my-PR-Moose is spitting his own brand of posturing. It’s an idiot zoo.
you should come to the marathon dailies. it’s an AWESOME group of people. i’ve been posting sporadically there because i’ve been so busy lately but they’re really awesome
Thanks for the suggestion, the only thing is that I’m not a marathoner anymore so it’s not really my interest. I still post in the Sub3:20 one because they’re my pals, but I’m ready for a marathon talking break. :-) But it’s cool that you post there, I never see you on RW.
Ok, now I have to go see the jealous thread. I think the group threads are the best. I am on the 1:59 HM one, and it’s just a nice mix of people, all shooting for the same goal, so you don’t get the dickness factor.
So sad about Mere’s DH.
Hey Mary! Yeah, I was wanting to join the 1:30 Half group but I’m feeling too far off the mark right now, so will hopefully get involved sometime this Fall.
Yeah, about Mere. And she’s such a truly kind and gentle soul. Sometimes the world just doesn’t make any sense.
Flo, my “does 6.2 plus .8″ thread in the BF has turned into
a) I don’t run fast enough
b) I don’t train well enough for other people’s standards
c) I shouldn’t sign up for a 10k until I can run a marathon
d) Disney is stupid.
LOL! Too funny. Gee, and the BF is the most supportive place on the net! Guess it’s everywhere.
I took a breather from RWOL for about a month last summer because of all the BS. I made the mistake of mentioning I had Facebooked during a marathon — never mind there were only 300 people in the race and I was WAY at the back of the pack — they made it sound like I had lined up in front of Kara Goucher before Boston. Mind you, do I think some people go overboard with taking pictures, talking on cell phones, etc. during a race? Yes. But if it’s obviously not impacting any one, I don’t see the harm. (I would have asked the people around me if they minded if I sent off a quick status, but at the most there were only 2-3 other runners near me each time I did it!)
I mostly hang out in the marathoners group, particularly the “Running in the Pacific NW.” I pretty much only post in the women’s BQ thread on MRT.
“they made it sound like I had lined up in front of Kara Goucher before Boston” LOL!!
hahah – Betsy that is hilarioius!!! I think I remember that thread.
I haven’t been on the forums in months, but dang! Now I’m gonna have to go look at the train wreck! Thanks, Flo.
And yes, I was sad to here about Mere…I can’t bring myself to imagine losing my husband.
-Violamarie
Hey Viola! How you doing? Producing more babies? If not, you should visit the forums again, you’re missed.
Oh wow, Flo! Such terrible news about Mere. Puts everything in our lives into perspective.
Meanwhile, the crap on MRT is really pissing me off as well. As you probably know, I have two homes on RWOL–the 3:20 thread and the Marathoners Dailies. I’m not one to joke around much on the forums, let alone invest my time, energy, or patience to deal with the misogynistic and homophobic idiots who terrorize those who dare post something that doesn’t line up with their views.
Walter, hugs for you. It must be incredibly irritating to see the faux gay comments that are made, though when they are made, I always question the real intent of the author. Anyone who needs to put a group of people down that much has something to work out.
I dunno, I guess I find RWOL and Letsrun more amusing than anything. But I’m an alumni of various goth and industrial music fora that were much harsher than anything I’ve ever seen on any running forum.
It seems to me that the fora that permit handles and moderate lightly tend to have a) the most knowledge shared and b) the most asinine behavior. That’s a trade off I’ll happily take.
In one of my very first posts on RWOL, I had it pointed out to me (without any sugar coating) that my training was unfocused and lacking discipline. It was hugely helpful.
That’s a whole different scenario. If there’s actual knowledge or insight to give (like what you learned about your training) there’s value in it, but to fuel an imaginary fire while attempting to prove your own macho worth via belittlement…it’s unnecessary.
There are only a few people who do this, btw. And I enjoy snark and snide, that’s why I always liked MRT, but I’m hating seeing some people’s usernames now.
The cool thing is Cmon held her own so well, unlike the many who post once and are too intimidated to ever post again.
lol i love how brutally honest you aree :P
Truth is the most interesting.
And that’s what’s fun about having a blog; you can say whatever you want.
So just when we’re feeling all down about RWOL, along come a couple of “Huh, what?” threads: “1/2 Marathon on crutches?” in the marathoners forum, and “Find what will be your marathon pace” in MRT