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Become a Runner Class Day 9: Turtle Power – BRV 044

By Debbie Voiles

Become a Runner, Day 9, Turtle Power

I’ve been hearing the phrase, ‘turtle power,’ for years, always from slower runners, usually in an upbeat, positive way, an “I’m fine with that” way, but sometimes they utter the words apologetically, and that makes me sad.

Often, these are beginner runners, but not always. It is my hope that after listening to this podcast, no one listening will ever feel bad, in any way, about being a slower runner.

What is slow, anyway? It’s all relative, isn’t it? When an Olympian runs a 6 minute mile, it’s an off day. Most runners will never see the faster side of 9 minutes, and some will always run 12 minute miles, and I sure hope those people don’t apologize for that because there is no reason to be the least bit apologetic. To me, that’s like apologizing because you have brown hair.

If anyone ever makes you feel like your pace is too slow, then that person is just being unkind and isn’t worth worrying about. In fact, they probably feel inferior in some other way. You have as much right to go your own pace and be happy with it as any other runner has a right to go the pace that is comfortable to them.

After all, running is an individual sport. One of the most enjoyable elements of running is that anyone can do it; you don’t need to be a gifted athlete, but I sure hope you do realize that anyone at any pace is an athlete.

Turtle Power is the mantra of slower runners everywhere, and so it should be. I hope it’s empowering. If you’re a slower runner, and since you’re a beginner, you probably are, own it; don’t apologize for it. Turtle runners unite!

Below is the link to my beginner runner program. It includes beginner running schedules for six months.

Walk to Run to 5k Program

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Filed Under: Beginner Runner Village, Beginner Runners, brv-podcast, Training Tagged With: beginner runners, beginner running schedules, slower runners, turtle power, turtle runners, walk to run to 5k

A Guide to Running Etiquette

By Debbie Voiles

Etiquette for running on roads, tracks, and in racesThis is not about which fork to use at your running club’s next social or how to make an introduction.

I did, however, go to charm school when I was a teenager; it was called Wendy Warm Charm School. We walked around with books on our heads and learned how to put on lipstick. After the basic class, my mom even enrolled me in the advanced class. I guess I was still a little rough.  

No, really, I do know this stuff, not because I learned it in a class but because I’ve been running for 29 years. You pick up a lot in 29  years. Believe, me, taking a few minutes, now, to learn running etiquette, will be appreciated by every other runner you ever know. Make it a point to learn and apply these rules of the running road and to mentor newer runners, which will save them embarrassment and keep everything running smoothly and safely. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Running Groups, Trail Running, Training Tagged With: cutting the tangents, every runner, faster runner, group of runners, group runs, on the track, race bibs, race etiquette, running ettiquette, running with a dog, slower runners, track etiquette, trail hog, water drops

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