Proper response

If a stranger runner asked Jerry's caliber in running, what would be the proper reply.

Once you've run sub 3, you'll always be able to say you're a sub 3 marathoner.

Where's the "I'm a lazy runner with a good amount of natural ability." option?

Jerry, just hope I'm not the stranger you run into and try to kick my ass. Never happen!

Bob wrote:Once you've run sub 3, you'll always be able to say you're a sub 3 marathoner.

Exactly! Even I can say that several hundred years later (it was 1987 after all).

A stranger runner than Jerry would be very hard to find!

Jerry - I definitely think you claim sub 3 hrs. That is a really awesome accomplishment.

Ok, 70% thinks I can claim sub 3 marathoner forever, I can feel good to hang my shoes(not like I can be the one to break 2 hours, heehee).

T Miller wrote:Where's the "I'm a lazy runner with a good amount of natural ability." option?

John Kilpatrick wrote:

T Miller wrote:Where's the "I'm a lazy runner with a good amount of natural ability." option?

Or if I haven't been lazy, I would've fluted the sub 3 again.

When asked about my time, I say I am a 3:34 marathoner as I ran a 3:34:56 marathon. This year, the times are much slower but unless I beat that time, I will use that as my reference. I suppose over time, I would say that it happened a while ago.

Sub-3 is a major, major accomplishment so matter how gifted someone might be. You should always refer to yourself as that.

I'd agree that a sub 3 is forever a sub 3, however it's much more believable if you look fast. Don't gain 40 pounds when you hang up your shoes. I was at that race for the sub-3, so you can forever use me to vouch for you!

Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

I'll tell someone I ran a sub3 in 2010, but I wouldn't tell someone I "am" a sub3 marathon runner. I cannot go out right now and run a sub3, so the best I can say is that I have been a sub3 marathon runner. Can't live on past laurels forever...

Mr MattM wrote:Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

I'll tell someone I ran a sub3 in 2010, but I wouldn't tell someone I "am" a sub3 marathon runner. I cannot go out right now and run a sub3, so the best I can say is that I have been a sub3 marathon runner. Can't live on past laurels forever...

Sure you can - how can you live on future laurels? If you live on laurels, they can only be the past ones, so go for it!!

mountandog wrote:

Mr MattM wrote:Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

I'll tell someone I ran a sub3 in 2010, but I wouldn't tell someone I "am" a sub3 marathon runner. I cannot go out right now and run a sub3, so the best I can say is that I have been a sub3 marathon runner. Can't live on past laurels forever...

Sure you can - how can you live on future laurels? If you live on laurels, they can only be the past ones, so go for it!!

Besides, there is no WAS or AM/ARE/IS in Chinese, at least in one word.

How about those Dr.? They don't re-certify/defense every year. Lets hear what Dr Miller says.

mountandog wrote:

Mr MattM wrote:Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

I'll tell someone I ran a sub3 in 2010, but I wouldn't tell someone I "am" a sub3 marathon runner. I cannot go out right now and run a sub3, so the best I can say is that I have been a sub3 marathon runner. Can't live on past laurels forever...

Sure you can - how can you live on future laurels? If you live on laurels, they can only be the past ones, so go for it!!

I must admit that I would refer to myself as a marathoner, but if pressed, I do tell that I ran a sub-3 in 1987. I usually preface it with the fact that I then focused on shorter distances and having kids before going back to marathoning at 39.

What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

Jerry wrote:What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

I don't think so, but I guess it depends on your attitude. I mean, someone might tell me they want to run a marathon and I say, oh I just ran my 15th, I don't say it to brag but to say it's completely a possible goal. If I were just trying to see if I could make them feel terrible and out of shape, then I probably shouldn't say it.

Julie wrote:

Jerry wrote:What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

I don't think so, but I guess it depends on your attitude. I mean, someone might tell me they want to run a marathon and I say, oh I just ran my 15th, I don't say it to brag but to say it's completely a possible goal. If I were just trying to see if I could make them feel terrible and out of shape, then I probably shouldn't say it.

Julie, Julie, you want Jerry to say it without sounding like bragging?

Jerry wrote:What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

I wouldn't just one up the person unless I was specifically asked. I may volunteer that information in a different context if there was a purpose in doing so beyond just tooting my own horn.

As far as the sub 3 question is concerned, I would say that I have run a sub 3 marathon unless I was actively running sub 3's and then I would say that I was a sub 3 marathoner.

T Miller wrote:

Jerry wrote:What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

I wouldn't just one up the person unless I was specifically asked. I may volunteer that information in a different context if there was a purpose in doing so beyond just tooting my own horn.

As far as the sub 3 question is concerned, I would say that I have run a sub 3 marathon unless I was actively running sub 3's and then I would say that I was a sub 3 marathoner.

Define "actively".

Typically we peak twice a year for marathons and I normally run only one. So if I have a sub 3 in the past 12 months, can I use AM instead of WAS? Think about it, you can qualify Boston with a 12 months old time. New York even older.

Jerry wrote:

T Miller wrote:

Jerry wrote:What if someone volunteers info like: I ran 2:59 in Boston this year.

Would it be low taste to response: I ran 2:58 in Houston 2010?

I wouldn't just one up the person unless I was specifically asked. I may volunteer that information in a different context if there was a purpose in doing so beyond just tooting my own horn.

As far as the sub 3 question is concerned, I would say that I have run a sub 3 marathon unless I was actively running sub 3's and then I would say that I was a sub 3 marathoner.

Define "actively".

Typically we peak twice a year for marathons and I normally run only one. So if I have a sub 3 in the past 12 months, can I use AM instead of WAS? Think about it, you can qualify Boston with a 12 months old time. New York even older.

Oh, I don't know. I would probably define actively as having run that time in the last year or two. You ran a sub 3 in 2010 so I think you're in. But wait, that was January of 2010... almost 3 years ago. Now that's a stretch.