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Why are so many runners attention whores?

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No Lifer
I'm not hating, because I've done several races, and I have a couple of stickers on the back of my car, but I call this passive attention whoring, not active. However, I've noticed that people who are into running at a pretty decent level (like placing consistently in their local races) are under some strange impression that everybody wants a daily update of the run they did. This one guy I know updates his facebook status with comments about the run he did and how good it was (nobody cares), and another I know will update his face book with like "ran 3 miles in 17:00". The fact that you can run a 3:00 marathon is impressive and of mild interest to most people but although you think you're only almost ready for the Olympic trials (you're not), that's where it should stop. To continue pimping the fact that you run comes off as hella-pompous.

So, don't be that guy.
 
Yupp back when I ran I was like that too. Some ppl off facebook talked to me and smacked sense in myself, now I am not pompous ass I was. I think.
 
That's not a runner's mentality, that's a "I'm a pompous douchebag" mentality. It has nothing to do with running...I see bodybuilders and certain workout types going "My BF is now 7.6%!"
 
People seem to LOVE to brag about running.

Then again, if that's all they can do then I guess they have nothing else to brag about.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
This thread is ironic given the online lifting journals in this forum.

IMO, a lot of those serve a different purpose -- accountability. When you know other people are going to be reading it, you get motivated to show up every day.

As for Facebook, people love to attention whore via status updates. It doesn't matter whether they are runners or writers or whatever.
 
Most forums don't have a "Print this topic" feature like AnandTech. This makes it much easier for me to search through my training log.
 
Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Originally posted by: Deeko
This thread is ironic given the online lifting journals in this forum.

IMO, a lot of those serve a different purpose -- accountability. When you know other people are going to be reading it, you get motivated to show up every day.

As for Facebook, people love to attention whore via status updates. It doesn't matter whether they are runners or writers or whatever.

Eh, I'm not ripping the journals people post here. Just pointing out the similarities in substance, at any rate.
 
There are people like this in every sport.

I post updates on my Facebook about the runs I have done and plan on doing, along with my times. My times are hardly brag worthy, though.
 
I run. I don't put stickers on my car. There's a good chance I *will* put the time from my first marathon in ink on my body -- but someplace small (esp. in comparison to the large piece already on me). This is for me, not for "you." When I am bored, I will put of FB updates. Sometimes it's about the vague connecting with others, sometimes it's out of pure boredom, but it does also provide a certain accountability.

Bragging in any area is annoying. However, I don't think that acknowledging one's accomplishments is always bragging. I think it's fair and reasonable to talk about your accomplishments as long as you aren't trying to rub it in people's faces. Think of it as a "lead by example" approach.
 
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
That's not a runner's mentality, that's a "I'm a pompous douchebag" mentality. It has nothing to do with running...I see bodybuilders and certain workout types going "My BF is now 7.6%!"

What's even better is the guys in the gym who grunt like they're giving birth while benching 375 or something, and then get even louder if no one looks. Next time it happens I'm asking "boy of girl?" in full voice. Sure some grunting's unavoidable, but this stuff is beyond ridiculous.
 
hey guys, i just got back from an awesome 10 miler that i ran shirtless while setting a new personal best... whats going on...
 
Actually, I've found quite the opposite.

I competed in club races in high school and on my varsity team in university, and I can honestly say that most of the fellow distance runners I met and trained were not braggart DBs. In fact, the fastest men and women runners are some of the most humble (think Haile Gebreselassie and Paula Radcliffe for example).

While staunchly competitive, runners tend to be supportive of their teammates and even their competitors. They'll race the shit out of each other around a track or park, but will shake hands and hug after it's over. And they aren't normally "in your face" or talking smack.

Sprinters, OTOH... 😛
 
Well there's another face too, it's very motivating to talk about it. When I wasn't posting on my thread here, I usually wasn't doing much. Having people to be accountable to, even though bragging is a weird way to do it, can keep you going.
 
Many humans have a strong desire, if not out right need for, external validation, and seek it almost incessantly. Do whatever it is you do well enough, and it will be offered without solicitation.
 
Originally posted by: eddiebravo
hey guys, i just got back from an awesome 10 miler that i ran shirtless while setting a new personal best... whats going on...
LOL that's exactly it.

I like your post dapunisher.
Actually, I've found quite the opposite.
Maybe there are more highschool runners but since most adults aren't into it those who are think they are super duper special.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Maybe there are more highschool runners but since most adults aren't into it those who are think they are super duper special.

To clarify, the term "runner" usually refers to competitive athletes who run for a club or team, or who race regularly and start in the advanced or elite sections of a field. They aren't necessarily world-class, but they are considered relatively fast.

Runners are surrounded by competitors who train similarly and are of similar ability, so they have no need to brag about performances. Their competitors and teammates know when others have a noteworthy performance, and they congratulate them, but there's little, if any grandstanding.

Joe Schmo, who trains inconsistently and runs a handful of 5ks and 10ks every year, finishing mid-pack or slower, is not a runner. He is a jogger. He doesn't truly understand training or racing methodology and he isn't surrounded by lots people who understand the sport, so he feels like he needs to draw attention to himself at every opportunity.

Conclusion: (Many) joggers are attention whores.
 
Here's the thing. First of all, let me start off by saying that I know exactly the type of person you mean, and yes, a lot of runners are like that. Let me also say that I try like hell not to be that person. I don't talk about my running unless its to other runners, and then I try not to mention times or training or anything specific. But, to answer your question, running attracts a certain type of person. They tend to be addictive personalities, be slightly obsessive-compulsive, and be very, very dedicated and immersed in what they do. So for a lot of runner, running becomes more than just a hobby or a way to work out, it becomes a way of life. It consumes them; every waking second is dedicated to running. They become one-dimensional in their dedication.

Add to that the fact that running (and endurance sports in general) is an activity where you can see massive improvements over a period of time, and they get excited about how much they have improved. Sometimes they may even get so much better so quickly that they impress themselves and want to share. Unfortunately, the addictive personality and one-dimensionality rear their heads then and they become overwhelming and tend to brag, sometimes deliberately, sometimes not.

Also, to become a good runner, it takes a certain cockiness and arrogance, along with a strong dose of desire and hunger. These very alpha male characteristics tend to be bundled with bravado and a desire to brag. You can't be good at anything if you're meek and complacent. You have to want something bad enough, have a competitive enough spirit to endure the pain and sacrifice and want to win above all else. If you're good enough (eg- elite), chances are you don't have anything to prove, and sure enough, of all of the fastest runners that I have met, had I not known they were elite, I never would have guessed. They have all been very unassuming and didn't need to brag about anything. But for those who are not quite elite (age groupers, D3 runners, etc), they know their place in the grand scheme of things and still feel the need to prove to themselves and others that the sacrifices they make, the work they put in, is worth it. And so a lot of sub-elite but still very good runners, or decent runners, feel the need to constantly brag to prove that its worth it.

By the way, speed has nothing to do with being a runner versus a jogger. Runners run because they enjoy it. Joggers run because they enjoy the benefits. And Runners (capital R) run to push themselves to the limit.
 
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