raging bull letter- july 2006

Peter Harridge

27/05/2006 at 19:37

Has anyone seen the unbelievable letter in july runners world mag. It reminds me of a letter in a cycling mag years ago. At least it is common in cycling circles for this snobbery to exist. But i have never heard of this before in running, everybody talks to everyone else- that doesn't happen in cycling.
But the worse thing is he is completely wrong in his idea that 38 mins in a 10k would get you last in the 60s. I looked up the i.o.w. marathon results and an equivalent time to a 38 in a 10k(perhaps 3-02) would get you an average 36th place out of an average 73(this is in years 1965-70).And whats worse there was only 10% over 40s and no females. Contrast that with the field of 262 this year with its 27.48% of the field males under 40. Although there is no doubt its a slower field, we should be grateful for greater participation in running events. I personally have a p.b. of about 1 min better than this 38 mins and i consider it to be a reasonable time.
I would invite everybody to condemn this person unreservedly. We don't need people like this in the sport!

Hendo.

27/05/2006 at 19:46

Peter - copy your post and email it to RW directly; you make a very good point indeed.

slo sho

27/05/2006 at 20:12

Peter, excellent post. I couldn't make up my mind whether I felt more crushed by the attitude expressed - I take just under an hour to run 10k so I might as well f*ck of and die - or sorry for such an intolerant, narrow-minded, joyless get. Like you I've always found other runners very friendly and encouraging. I have fond memories of being cheered and encouraged by faster runners on their way home as I trailed in an agonised fouth last in a 20 mile race. That is the true spirit of running, not this arrogant w*nker.

Muttley

27/05/2006 at 21:11

OK so he's wrong and a bit up himself. But that's no reason to feel "crushed" by what he says or to insult him in those terms. He's just expressing an opinion - an incorrect one, as it happens.

Bear B.Hind

27/05/2006 at 21:29

Yes - saw that too and was willing to let it go - he is entitled to his opinion and he is a subscriber - but I found the Andy Blackford article really upsetting - nasty, spiteful and probably envious - after all he has been making money by writing ad nauseum about his injuries - and we pay for it!!

happy_digger

27/05/2006 at 21:48

I had exactly the same reaction as you Peter - I agree you should email that post to RW.

Sweetest Thing

27/05/2006 at 21:51

Was it only me that wondered if RW was making some kind of comment on the letter by calling it "Raging Bull....."?

Tinywhitevan

27/05/2006 at 21:53

I liked RW's title for the letter, 'Raging Bull' as in 'Bull S**t' which is clearly what the author of the letter was spouting.

Sweetest Thing

27/05/2006 at 21:54

Exactly my point, Tinywhitevan!

:-) Great minds, and all that.

Xerxes

27/05/2006 at 21:57

The person obviously has not watched some of the "slower" runners come in. They often have worked harder than the top 10. When you see some of the tail-end runners coming in during a 1/2 M after 2.5 hrs, you have to admire them - I cheer them as much, or more, than the winners (not that I see the winners, being miles behind!!). RW clearly prints a wide range of letters, I can only assume they are hoping for an angry retor, and Peter has provided a well-constructed one. Yes, send it in to them!

Hendo.

27/05/2006 at 22:30

Just had a second look - interesting that the John Bingham article this month acts as almost the perfect response to the letter.

Interesting also that some of the race reports have the lead man coming in at around 31 mins for a 10k. Must have been a rubbish field, unless the rest finished within 7 minutes...

What an arrogant f*&$

heebiejeebie

27/05/2006 at 22:39

I assumed the letter was a deliberate attempt to provoke and mentally filed the author under "T".

(for "twit" of course)

Johnny J

27/05/2006 at 22:55

I think it is best ignored until Mr. McMillan can produce evidence that no-one in road races in the 1960s ran slower than 38:37.

It is so obviously untrue that that it renders the entire letter valueless.
JJ

slo sho

27/05/2006 at 22:58

Muttley, I don't insult people - it was a statement of fact. Expressed intemperately maybe, but then so was the letter. And funnily enough, if you're a slow runner like me who takes their running seriously but finds speed a struggle, yeah, other people's dismissal can feel quite crushing. Even if it's someone whose opinion you don't agree with.

Peter Harridge

27/05/2006 at 23:23

Glad for all the replies,
i'd just like to say to Muttley that i don't feel i insulted him, apart from the fact that he called a lot of people mediocre he also has remembered the past incorrectly. Perhaps there is a 10k that has been running since the 60s and then we can check the results of that event.
Don't be too hard on Andy Blackford. I've just read his article and although he is commenting on a serious issue at least he is doing it in an amusing way. And not only that, he does have a point in that maybe people should wear appropiate clothing. I, personally do not hold with the interviews and the cheering that goes on in the "london" before the finish. The time to do that is after the race.
Sweetest thing, i think you are right about runners world, they almost certainly do not agree with his point.

Plodding Hippo

27/05/2006 at 23:38

am glad i have not got RW yet

Bear B.Hind

28/05/2006 at 10:10

Sorry A B's comment re the last 10 that you can see 'the spectacular type of incontinence associated with a total lack of training and a diet of Pot Nooddles' and 'They should equip the last 5,00 competitors with brooms...If they keep the marshals hanging around until midnight, the least they can do is pick up the litter... far from lighthearted and just as full of sh*t as Raging Bull.

Plodding Hippo

28/05/2006 at 10:12

BBH
hm-thats supposed to be funny is it

Maybe i'll not bother buying RW this month

Bear B.Hind

28/05/2006 at 10:18

Having read the article several times it still doesn't come over as funny - there is just too much contempt - perhaps I'm being too sensitive - but if it is his attempt at humour he should stick to the serious stuff.

Plodding Hippo

28/05/2006 at 10:19

to be honest BBH, I never find any of his artivels funny anyway

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