A few days ago, the Wall Street Journal posted an article
titled “The Slowest Generation.” It’s a scathing
report about how my generation is not competitive enough when we run races,
that we are basically running one long, slow parade. This article really touched a nerve with
me. Here are my thoughts…
They start the article picking on the Color Run. While I am not a fan of the color run (I hate
how messy it is!), I think the author is way off in his assumption that just
because it’s not timed, it’s not a really sporting event. The way I see it, if someone is up and moving
that is a good thing. If they are
running or walking a 5k, it’s much better sitting on the coach. I don’t care if it takes them two hours to
complete the 5k; they are still doing something healthy for themselves. Why knock that?
Next, the author compared the Tough Mudder events with the
Spartan race serious, making the Spartans seem more serious and valuable to do
because they timed. Why does an event
being timed make it more worthwhile?
The article them discusses how American’s are becoming less competitive
in the world distance running.
We cannot all be competitive distance runners, that is just
a simply fact. We all do not have bodies
that are not built to be competitive runners.
We all do not have the desire to be competitive runners. I am admittedly one of the people the author
is writing about. I don’t even know my
time on the last half marathon I ran—I simply don’t care. I do races for the fun, for the experience,
for the time with friends. I am more
worried about my cute race day outfit than I am about my goal time. Yes, I train for every event I do, but my
finish time does not dictate how I feel about myself or the events I do. To me, the bottom line is that more and more
people are getting out there and crossing the start line. This news could not be better in my
book! Here in America, we are facing a growing
obesity crisis. It is out of control. The obesity crisis costs us billions of
dollars each year in health care costs, lost production etc. If running through
clouds of colored corn starch gets people moving, that is an awesome thing!
What do you think of this article? I would love to hear your opinions!
A dream is a wish…
--Amy
