Last Updated on June 13, 2014 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
My father is a stubborn, opinionated man. By the luck of genetics, I inherited both of these qualities.
My father is also a relentlessly compassionate man. By the virtue of good parenting, I inherited that quality as well. Growing up with a stubborn, opinionated, compassionate father meant that I was taught to form my own brazen opinions from a very young age. It also meant that I spent many a dinner table conversation worked into a near tearful frenzy over such topics as the ethics of whaling or whether a female was capable of being an adequate fighter jet pilot over her male counterparts during a time of war. To this day, my father still knows how to turn any topic into a debate that will make my blood pressure rise and elicit a frustrated eyeball roll. When I was younger, I used to think he was a jerk for pushing my buttons. Now that I’m older, I realize he was simply teaching me a valuable life lesson: stand up for what you believe in.
Because after all, they say if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
Over the years my own stubborn, opinionated, compassionate, big mouth has gotten me into a lot of trouble. I’ve lost friends over my unabashed viewpoints (I’ll admit, I was probably in the wrong), and I’ve elicited eyeball rolls from others on countless occasions (likely deserved). As I’ve grown older and maybe only a tiny bit wiser, I’ve learned to pick my battles,because I know at times my outspokenness can be incredibly obnoxious. But when I do speak up, I do so because deep in my heart I know what I have to say needs to be heard…and I hope that something good will come out of me voicing that opinion.
(Have I also mentioned my father could ramble on for days? Because I inherited that talent as well. Bear with me here…)
Point being: I didn’t want to write a negative review of the Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon.
I dreaded hitting the publish button because I am not only a huge fan of Runner’s World, but I genuinely like the people behind Runner’s World. I have been fortunate enough to spend time with numerous staff members on a few occasions, and they are good people. Hell, if I lived closer to Bethlehem, PA, I’d invite them all over for a campfire and epic battles of Cards Against Humanity on a regular basis. (You guys are cool with karaoke, right?) I knew and saw first hand how much heart and effort was put into the inaugural Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon, and I was honored to have been invited as a guest to attend the race. So the LAST thing I wanted to do was ruffle my gracious hosts feathers by throwing them under the proverbial bus.
But as it turns out, unbeknownst to most of us at the front, our friends at the back of the pack aren’t being treated the way they deserve. And I knew I couldn’t keep my mouth (fingers?) shut about it. I had hoped a few people would read my post. Maybe a few of you fast runners would think twice and stick around at the end of your race to cheer runners on. Perhaps a race director would stumble upon the post and re-evaluate their race break down procedure.
I never imagined that tens of thousands of you would read the post.
What followed after I hit the publish button was a clearly much needed conversation about what the back of the pack finishers experience on a regular basis. Hundreds of you commented with your personal stories of closing courses sooner than initially stated, having water tables dumped out right in front of you, no medals, no food, packed up finishing lines, and more. For the record, I wanted to reach through the computer screen and hug each and every one of you. How is it that SO MANY OF YOU have these stories, yet this is still an issue? I’m not sure. And I understand that many of you are frustrated with the fact that you have been screaming this for YEARS to no avail, yet a “fast-ish” runner complains and everyone takes notice. I truly wish that wasn’t the case, but to be honest, one way or another I’m glad people are taking notice.
So while I appreciate so many of you thanking me for writing the post, I want you to know that I’m not the one who needs to be thanked: it’s all of you. THANK YOU for sharing your stories and experiences. THANK YOU for sharing the post so many times that it got the attention of the people who truly needed to see it. THANK YOU for having the courage to continue to show up to races and endure the miles, even though you were aware that it was a very real possibility that the finish line might not be still standing when you finally reached it. Because truly, YOU are the ones who inspire ME.
And lastly, a massive THANK YOU to Runner’s World for responding in such a fantastic, positive way; acknowledging that the discrepancy in the treatment of faster runners versus slower runners and walkers is very real, and asking what can be done to help ensure this doesn’t continue to happen.
Now let’s DO something about it.
My Dad taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and now I’m passing that reminder on to you guys. As John Bingham commented “The times – literally and figuratively – have changed.” (cue small-time blogger freak out that John Bingham commented on my post) . More and more “average Joes/Janes” are joining the endurance community every day. Remember, at the end of the day, the majority of these race companies are businesses, and you are their customers…no matter what your mile pace average may be. Demand equal treatment. Recognize of course, that race directors are only human, they are often at the mercy of the city and streets the race is run in, and mistakes will happen. But remind them that your race experience by no means carries less value because it takes you a little longer to cover the course.
I realize this is completely a “first world problem”, but it is a problem none the less. While my story noted the lack of “fun” I had at the back of the pack, many of you talked about a lack of water on incredibly hot days, or a lack of traffic cones on an open-to-traffic course (still within the time limits). As a human being, your safety MATTERS. And as a customer, your experience absolutely does too.
To end this long rambling post: I urge you to please keep this conversation going. Let your voices be heard. And race directors, for the love of all things, LISTEN TO THE VOICES!!! Runner’s are a smart bunch (and a great looking bunch at that, but I digress) and I’m certain that we can all work together, positively and constructively, to start taking steps to turn this situation around. One of my favorite thing about the endurance community is that it is welcoming to everyone: all genders, shapes, races, sizes, colors, and paces. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
And thank you Dad, for making me an opinionated loud mouth. I love you.
Me and my pops, cheering on my older sister at Ironman Lake Placid, 2009
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.
Patty
You really are an amazing person Heather. Thank you for speaking up and continuing the conversation. And John Bingham?! OMG… #fangirl Appreciate you reading and sharing my thoughts on the subject as well. Run on!
Heather
Thank you Patty!! <3
Amanda
Thank you, Heather, from the back of the pack. <3
d20girl
You just made it on my favorite bloggers list! I even forgive you for being thin and gorgeous and fast (LOL). Thanks for your original post and an even bigger thanks for this one. Speaking out isn’t easy and seeing the world from another viewpoint is even harder. You’re a #1 Class Act! Thanks!
Krista
Crying again, Heather! Thanks for being so awesome, and sticking up for us turtles!!
Mindi Fried
I love you hard, NB. -TT
Katy Widrick
Thought I’d maxed out my level of pride for you. Nope. My heart just grew two times bigger with love for you and your message.
Erin (@girlgoneveggie)
Great post! Thank you so much for tackling an issue you certainly didn’t have to. I think a lot of runners will be better off for it!
Run, Karla, Run
Loved the original post and love this too. As a runner who started at the back of the back years ago and clawed my way to the middle, I noticed the difference as soon as I got faster. It’s sad that this is still true. It’s not true at every race–there are organizations out there that do a great job of taking care of everybody. But it needs to be true for all of them. Thanks for being so vocal about it! And kudos to Runner’s World for their response.
onecrazypenguin
Although it kind of sucks that it took a fast runner in order to bring attention to this, it’s *always* a good thing to help people that are different than you. Whether that is faster runners helping slower ones or wealthier people helping those in need. Thank for speaking up 🙂
anothergirlrunner
Reading your post about the back of the pack made me cry, I am a back of the packer. But, I’m doing my best. And there are times other runners just don’t see that while I may run a 14 minute mile, it’s better than the 20 minute i started with two years ago.
I appreciate that you used your blogging platform to bring up something that I have seen and experienced at many races (Nike DC and Disney Princess being exceptions) the crowds disappear. The cops telling you to take to to sidewalk so they can reopen the road when you are in the alloted time. It sucks and is heart breaking. Especially when you just ran your PR and everyone else is done, back to their hotel and showered.
Thank you for amazingly putting into words how we back of the Packers live most every race. Just because our legs aren’t as fast, doesn’t mean our hearts aren’t as pure and our intentions aren’t as great.
I’m sorry you had to run a half sick (that was me for Glass Slipper at Disney this year. Upper respiratory and sinus infection), but I am thankful that you had the experience and could share with others.
-Heather @ another girl runner
Charla Reaves
Just read your original and follow up posts and am sitting here in tears. As a back-of-the-pack runner I have always felt very self-conscious at races; like I didn’t quite measure up to what other expect from a runner – but I keep running and constantly remind myself that I do this for ME. It often feels like I put out twice the effort and get half of the results as the faster runners,but I don’t feel like most people notice that. Sometimes you are looked at like you are a “slacker” when that is not the case at all. In general the running community is very encouraging and excepting, but there are a few exceptions. And definitely there are times when you cross the finish line feeling like the “real race” is already over.
Thank you for this discussion and shining a light on this subject.
Katrina Elle
You were honest but polite and gave a story that needed to be told!
Beth
Heather thank you for this follow up as well as yor original post on this subject. I’m a back of the packer as we’ll I’m about to do my 9th half in July. I’ve experienced the same pain you did 6 of the eight runs I’ve ready run. My feeling is starting to be that they listed their rules their timelines and what was essentially their promise to us as to what to expect for a race. Doesn’t that essentially equate to a legal contract? If they(a race management/production company) fail to meet that contract, don’t we actually have a legal recourse? Isn’t it essentially a breach of contract? I don’t necessarily mean that they should or could force people to stay and cheer. But they should specify to the volunteers that they can’t leave early even if the race appears to be over. Police should give the individual at the back the same consideration they gave the people in the 300 people deep pile up at the begging of the race and hold the traffic and keep the cones out. I have to say, I saw this issue on my very first race which was a Rock N Roll half in Dallas done by the Competition group. They fixed it the very next year and it was so much better. However this year I did that race for the third time and saw the same issues again when I walked with my friend who actually fractured her ankle during the race. People will stop coming to their races if they have consistently bad experiences with them. Luckily I’ve still had fun but I NEVER rely on a course to have any supplies when I come through and bring my own and I always watch out for my own safety. Also luckily I’ve been to a few races where they swear that they will ensure that this kind of thing will never ever happen on their courses (thank you The Active Joe) an have also seen what a difference that makes!! It took me until I was 47 to start running and I love doing races to challenge myself! My money is the same as everyone else’s who did the race (and I worked just as hard or harder to get there) I should be treated with exactly the same manner as they did for the runners at the front by the race staff and volunteers. I can’t think of any other industry or business where the customers let themselves be treated like this. Speaking up is the only way we can get it to change.
Geoffrey Hart
I love you a little more every day.
Jersey-Texan
Thank you thank you THANK YOU! This caboose is grateful our voices are being heard thru you. 🙂
Kristen Grimes
I loved the Heartbreak Hill post and I love the follow-up even more!! Beautifully said!
Nixie
As a back of the pack runner trying to complete all 50 states, thank you for your posts on this! I’ve had courses broken down while I was still within the time limits, trucks packed up and driving on closed courses, passing me, while I plodded on. I’ve (sort of) come in last once during a rainstorm, I’ve finished within time limits to have the food already packed up, and friends and families of runners eating the rest of the available food, leaving only a few scraps.
That being said, the “Back of the Pack” crowd is truly amazing. The stories, the “get it done” and “just finish” attitudes, and the volunteers that are still out there are second to none.
I’ve accepted that things may be sparse at the end of many of the marathons I complete, and that’s ok with me so long as I get my medal and an official finishing time! What it has made me appreciate (other than the other runners, volunteers, and spectators at the end, with me) are those races like Grand Rapids where the race director stays at the finish line until every single runner has crossed, giving a congratulations hug or handshake to each finisher. Or those races like Little Rock, who set up a two hour early start for us. While I know due to city logistics and road closures, this cannot happen everywhere, it’s so very appreciated when it does.
Thank you for your articles on this! Very well written and an interesting perspective.
Cheers,
Nicole