Yesterday I was searching for my Wordless Wednesday picture online since my picture from my Droid wasn't cooperating. I was looking up the sticker or decal 3.1 which is what a 5k is. Lots of people have 13.1 or 26.2 stickers on their cars to show off that they had made the sacrifice to run those miles. So, as I was searching through Goggle, I came across a web-page that caught my eye. I skimmed through the post that this person had wrote because it was on the running decals for cars. I got to the end where he proceeds to say that putting a 3.1 decal sticker on your car is lame.
My jaw literally dropped. Now, I know for some people that 3.1 miles is nothing to them. But to me and to numerous people on twitter, that is a stepping stone in our health journey. I mean, last year I was obese and HATED running. Yesterday, I decided that I was going to RUN, OUTSIDE, for the first time this year. I ran 3 plus miles through my neighborhood in about 34 minutes. Think about it, I went running because I wanted to, because I can run now, because I enjoy it. It may not be 13.1 or 26.2 miles but its a start. Some people never get up and go running just because they can, some people never even run a mile or a 5k in their entire life. I am doing something that a lot of people never choose to do.
So, my question to my fellow bloggers is, is it "lame" to buy a 3.1 sticker and put it on my car? Don't be shy, tell the truth, you will not hurt my feelings. I just want to know if people will look at it and be like, wow, or people will look at it and laugh.
Should I buy a 3.1 sticker? Btw, this is the link to the person's page again... lame
Not lame at all! I guarantee I am putting more effort into my 5k training than some of those who deem it lame put into long distances. Who is to say what my effort is worth?
ReplyDeleteYou already know what I think about this. And what I think about him.
ReplyDeleteWhy not get one? You can take two approaches- make a trail of stickers across your bumper, or slap a new distance sticker over the old one. Personally, I like the idea of a trail because it shows progression. Covering the old one up w/ a new distance makes it seem like you're embarrassed that you had to start somewhere.
It boils down to this: Who gives a shit what other people stick on their cars? And no one has the right to diminish someone else's accomplishments.
Also, I just saw this and wanted to pass it on. Nike gets it, even if he doesn't.
ReplyDeletehttp://crissyelizabeth.tumblr.com/post/2487708534/i-running
Defnitely not lame! You've taken a step in the right direction-- making changes in your life! Definitely not lame! DO IT!
ReplyDeleteThanks you guys! That makes me feel better :)
ReplyDeleteIf I ever see that guy im gonna punch him in the effin face.
ReplyDeleteNow ask me if I think its lame to have a 3.1 on your car.
I effing LOVE you tara :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not! Good for you for running that much :)
ReplyDeletenot lame at all. now, those fake bull balls that people hang on their jacked up trucks? kind of lame.
ReplyDeleteBAHAHAHAHA! I totally agree Emily! lol that was awesome :)
ReplyDeleteNo not lame at all. I read the article and thought it was just as bad as the Pearl Izumi ad's that try to define a real runner. It sounded like a bunch of elitists who forgot about their first race. Brag on sister!
ReplyDeleteNot lame at all. I would totally put that on my car. I remember when I ran my first 5K and told people about it. My friends who are runners said "big deal-5K. It's not like it's a marathon. Stop telling people that- you could walk that"
ReplyDeleteWell boo to all them! :) I stuck my tongue out at them and reminded them that 6 months before I couldn't *walk* more than a few blocks...and went back to enjoying every minute of it. I mean *I* ran 5K! Me! I'll always remember it proudly... :)
I think running a 5K is awesome! I have lost more than 145 lbs in my efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. In doing this, I have gotten to the point where I can run up to 26 miles on my elliptical crosstrainer at a go, but running outdoors is another thing entirely! I tried taking up running, but only got to a 2 mile run in 20 minutes before deciding that running really isn't for me. I am in awe of anyone who commits to do a running event, whether it's a 5K or a 10K or a marathon! You are doing GREAT!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if the word "lame" struck a chord with you Molly. Enough so to link my blog with it! : )
ReplyDeleteI will admit, I've been a runner my whole life, but I've also challenged myself with many other things and succeeded solely because of mental toughness (which I actually learned mostly from pushing myself in running). I admit that running is easier for some people than others. In your post you said it yourself though, you used to hate running and now you do it for fun! That is an example of your mental toughness, congrats! While 3.1 may be a goal for some people I don't think it should be an end goal for anyone. I believe every person (excluding those with physical conditions that inhibit their ability to run) can run a 10k and even a half marathon if they put their mind to it. I'm a firm believer that running is 95% mental, you just have to continue pushing yourself physically AND mentally. Good luck on your own personal running journey and keep pushing it!
My personal opinion -- Chris Barber is a pompous snot.
ReplyDeleteWhat gives him the right to belittle another person's accomplishment? Just because it isn't "good enough" to be proud of in his book?
Pound sand, buddy.
Mr. Barber is certainly entitled to his opinion, as are we all.
ReplyDeleteI guess participating in a 5K wouldn't be any kind of challenge for him. Or for many people.
Some of us, though...
I worked all last summer to build up to WALKING a 5K. Which I did. I finished dead last - right behind the guy on the crutches - but I did it. And folks applauded for me as I crossed the line.
Now this year I work towards RUNNING more than 1 race. I don't expect to win, That's not why I'm doing it. I want to finish. I want to complete my own goals and feel proud of what I've accomplished.
I don't care what someone else thinks I should be able to do because every grade school age child can do it, I know where my fitness level started and I've improved my life tremendously by working for that simple 3.1.
Let me know if you decide to get the decal. I own a signshop - contact me with your address and I'll send you one. I'll make one for me too.
NO! It's NOT LAME!! It's a huge deal to a lot of folks out there. I ran a 3K this past fall, after having a stroke. I was so absolutely thrilled with myself and the fact that I was recovered, up and mobile and not slobbering on the sidlines. 3.1? I want one, too.
ReplyDeleteWOW- I sign into my blog and was not expecting to get this many peoples reaction. Thank you all for giving me your opinion and the kind words. You guys and gals rock!
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Chris, at serious running who wrote the post- he has apologized for calling it lame. You can read his comment above. I would just like him to know that when blogging, you need to understand people are at different fitness levels. Be careful with your words and how you use them. Apology accepted. **I would also like you to know Chris, that I am signed up to run 2 10ks this summer.**
Not Lame at ALL. Tony's post sent me here and I think you should display that sticker with PRIDE! I would display one that I WALKED a 5K... That is my goal this year...walking a few 5K's. and you know what I want to add.... I would PROUDLY display a bumper sticker that said my kid is a C student if they had tried and done the best they could...that is all I ever wanted and NOW its what I want for myself. To do the best I can each day....
ReplyDeleteDude, HE'S lame. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard...or at least lately. I think a 3.1 is a GREAT idea for your car!
ReplyDeleteIt's not lame at all! 3.1 is not lame. A majority of Americans CAN'T run a 5k. I can't even run a 5k straight without walking. That's so silly of him to look down on it. I think it's something you should be proud of doing! I'm certainly proud of you!
ReplyDeleteIt's not lame! Working hard for any type of race is worth a sticker! Go for it girl! DO IT! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteApparently i've lost my brain this week--- i commented on here twice! awesomesauce :)
ReplyDeleteTo each his own, Mr. Barber. Molly, a 3.1 sticker/decal is not lame at all. I agree with Rebecka. I am at 352 lbs and want to be a runner some day soon. But first, I must walk. Walking is what I will do and my first goal is to walk at least two 5ks this year, the first in July (or sooner). I have a fear and it could become a reality, that I will finish last (like Rebecka did with her race). I'm okay with that as long as I finish and do better the next time, and the next time, etc. 3.1 will be a proud accomplishment. You go for it. Congrats for the great run yesterday!
ReplyDeleteNO its not lame!!! I am so proud to be able to run a 5k now. I use to not be able to even walk for 10 minutes due to my diabetes neuropathy!
ReplyDeleteThis made me very angry! Who is he to judge anyone?
He forgets he use to not be able to run a 5k at one point in his life; he forgets how hard it is to train your body to run.
I would buy the 5K sticker and be darn proud of it!
Everyone at work says to me "WOW, you can run a 5K in 33 minutes?" That is awesome!
Be proud and buy yours sticker!
I am one of those people for whom the mere thought of running a 5K makes my knees hurt. I think people who can run that far are amazing and they should be incredibly proud! And even though he apologized, I still think the writer of the "lame" post is a bit of an ass. He has no right to judge anyone else's abilities (or choice of bumper stickers!).
ReplyDeleteSlap that 3.1 sticker on your car and be proud.
ReplyDeleteI'm a half-marathoner who will become a marathoner in about six months. But 94 pounds ago I could not run a 5K. In 2005 the organization I work for was to benefit from a charity 5K. I trained and trained and had to walk/run and it took FOREVER. But I did it. I've lost a bit of weight since then and I still run 5Ks. When I cross the finish line I am filled with gratitude because I remember how difficult I used to find them.
Run, Molly, run!
Buy your stickers, buy a bunch of them! You earned it/them. Those stickers are like badges of honor. Unless you know the person inside the car with the badge on it no one had any idea what they had to overcome to complete a 5k 3k etc....
ReplyDeleteI just linked to this from Anti-Jared's website and I think it's going to become a fave. To Chris: I understand mental toughness. I've given birth to two children, neither time did I use pain medication. My first birth lasted over twelve hours of intense, full-bore hard labor. TWELVE HOURS. I think most folk consider a good marathon time to be what, four plus hours? Double that, now triple that. That is mental toughness. However, I have never run a marathon, I have never run (in) a 5k. I got to a point, once, when I could run more than three miles at about a 6mph pace. I didn't hold on to that, but I still know plenty about mental toughness mister. Nevertheless, and taking into account that I know I can "push myself" for twelve hours of labor, I would NEVER have the audacity to look down on someone for having an epidural, there are a ton of factors that go into a person's ability/desire to have a drug free labor, or lose a huge amount of weight, or run a marathon. How about a little humility?
ReplyDeleteWhether it's lame is up to the individual looking at it. I would say that a significant proportion of the population (10 to 20 percent maybe) would run 5km at least once in their lives. If you are proud of your achievement, then that's great, but you increase the chances that others will think it's no big deal.
ReplyDelete