Last Updated on November 1, 2014 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Most of my race recaps as of late are essentially reviews of the event itself.
Not this time.
If you want to know how I felt about the Rugged Maniac this weekend in Southwick, MA, my opinion goes a little something like this: the course was fun, not terribly difficult, and way too crowded. Great shirts, no medal, awesome beer (Harpoon), not nearly enough mud. But bottom line: a reliable source has informed me that the race (Rugged Maniac) that initially advertised their new series “The Great Bull Run” (I refuse to even give them the benefit of a link, so read this instead), then backed out and said they were just promoting “for a friend” when they received a good bit of social media backlash, are indeed, the purveyors behind the Great Bull Run. Animal exploitation for human entertainment is despicable. Lying to your customers to keep them on your good side isn’t a flattering trait either. So that is the last you will hear me speak of Rugged Maniac around here.
Instead, today I’d like to tell you another story.
Last week I, along with many of you, read the article “The Slowest Generation“ that appeared in the Wall Street Journal. In case you haven’t read it, let me sum it up for you: the author feels that the significant increase in overall finishing times at races is due to younger generations lacking the desire to push or better themselves, and instead settling with the sub-par satisfaction of “just finishing”.
I am no elite runner, but I can certainly hold my own with what I consider decent race times and pace averages. Yet, the WSJ article still felt like a slap in the face. “Just finishing” is such an incredibly relative term, it amazes me that someone could use it in such an insulting manner.
I’d like to tell you what “just finishing” looks like.
“Just finishing” is the mother of three grown children, defying societal norms by competing in her first obstacle course race at age 60. The same woman who passed men half her age on the course, and scaled wooden walls that women 1/3 of her age needed assistance to get over.
“Just finishing” is the 36 year old who tuned out all of the naysayers who said he couldn’t do it, and busted his ass all summer to get into shape for his first race ever, only to realize that during that race, he would have to tackle his greatest fear ever: heights. He tackled them anyway.
“Just finishing” is the young 40 something business woman who sacrifices countless hours of daylight towards her career, but gets to spend one day of the weekend letting loose and having fun in a healthy, productive way.
“Just finishing” is the family who chooses to frolic through the mud together at a novelty fun run (or “parade”), the type the author of the WSJ article scoffs at, supporting and encouraging (and laughing at) each other the entire way. Not to mention, doing something productive and healthy, while making memories that will last a lifetime. Take a look at the average dysfunctional “family” in our society today, and tell me that we all couldn’t use a little more of that.
Last week, when I first read the article, I couldn’t shake the feeling of discontent and utter disagreement with the author. I debated the topic over a few forums and Facebook posts, but still wasn’t certain as to why it bothered me so much. This weekend, it finally made sense to me.
Because sometimes, “just finishing” is enough. What appears to be “just finishing” to one person, may have been the culmination of a million personal struggles, a thousand fears, and a hundred attempts before finally succeeding. “Just finishing” gives others, who may have never in a million years thought to step up, the courage to try and “just finish” themselves.
I’m incredibly proud of what I witnessed this weekend, regardless of the fact that it may have taken our newbies 30 minutes or 300 minutes to “just finish” that course. (And for the record, they didn’t just finish, they demolished it, tackling every single obstacle without hesitation nor complaint). But it goes beyond my friends and family: in the past 6 years of my race career, I’ve seen countless other stories of people who have pushed their personal limits past what they ever believed possible to accomplish great things. Perhaps not fast finishing times, but amazing feats none the less. What I love the most about the endurance world is the fact that in the end, we truly are racing only ourselves. To be better than the person you were yesterday is one of the most amazing things anyone can ever hope to achieve.
Because sometimes, “just finishing” is the first step to so much more.
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Debbie
You really expressed my feeling about that article. Just finishing is an awesome accomplishment for so many, and a first step for so many more. Great post!
Elena Sonnino
I love this- so very much! As someone who is going to be starting over as a runner after two months and counting of injury- I cannot wait to “just finish”
Robyn
Thanks for the powerful rebuttal. You articulate so well some of the thoughts I had reading the article. I “just finished” my first 50K trail ultra this spring (and I really mean “just” … I was 18 seconds OVER the cutoff!) and it was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done. Can’t wait for the next one in two weeks!
Kierston @candyfit
Finishing is a goal accomplished and so much more! It’s lessons learned, life lived, and memories to last us a lifetime.
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run.
This is absolutely amazing. I think that was the perfect rebuttal.
Hannah Hawley
I am proud to be a member of the slowest generation. I finished the beast, last across the finish line, I wasn’t giving up. I did two laps at the Zombie Run in Essex Jct, VT, and helped a team get up and over obstacles that the otherwise would have deemed to difficult and gone around and they conquered EVERY SINGLE ONE. It isn’t about finishing first, its about finishing. Its about setting a goal and meeting it. In a society where obesity is considered a disease and contributes to countless deaths, we should be applauding those people who are out to just finish and even those who DNF because they are both far better than those who DNS (did not start) and don’t even try.
Amanda
I think the WSJ article was really a throwback to a time of accepted elitism. It wasn’t that long ago that you had to be a “certain kind” of runner to race. Now people self select into activities they want to participate in vs it just being a clique.
Katie
Wow, absolutely love this Heather. And your last sentence is so very true.
Cupcake Kelly
Thank you for this! I agree, many of those on the course who are naysayers to those of us who are slow, were once just trying to finish something.
sabopesk
I’ve ran two OCRs in my entire racing career for time. My first Spartan Race, with 2 people who were in much better shape with me at the time, I busted my ass, and they waited for me as I struggled. The 2nd (and most likely last time) was this years SR. I ran on Saturday with my sisters, but won a free race for Sunday. I ran alone for the first time, and I just pushed myself to go as fast as I could. It was exhilarating, but boring, and I’ll never do it again. I don’t run to be the best. Unless I’m going to win $10,000 there’s no point for me to try for best time. I run to support the friends and family who run with me and need a bit of help, much like my 2 friends did with me my first time around. This is why I run OCRs. If I want to go for time I’ll do a 5K, or a 10K. This is what this guy doesn’t get. Its not about you trying to finish in your best time, it’s about helping EVERYONE finish in their best time. This is, and always will be, a team sport.
Geoff Hart
Thanks for writing this Heather!! I hope my Mom has read this…perhaps even more, I hope the WSJ writer reads this.
Christie
Thank you!I am a slightly overweight 42 year old with 3 young kids and I am a “just finisher” 🙂
Just finished a 6 km portion of a 12 km fun run and actually ran some of it. I even managed to complete it within the hour I set as my goal.
Finishing is addictive, and a damn good reason to start!
Electra @ electra-fi.com
THIS. IS. AWESOME. Way to “just finish” – you rock!
Montana
Hi from a fellow Spartan Chicked member and GGS Ambassador! I love this! It really speaks volumes about someone who goes out to a race course uncertain and kicks ass anyway! I think that people should have more respect for that, and I love that you devoted a post to it. I also think the naysayers are probably the ones afraid to participate in something like this too 🙂 Good luck with future races!