Does Speed Matter When Running?

Should you care about your speed as a runner? Some may say “yes”.

I Don’t Run Fast and That Is Totally Fine by Me!

It’s a balmy Monday morning, Patriots Day 2022. I’m one of the 30,000 participants waiting in my corral in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, waiting for the start of the Boston Marathon. I am anxious for the start and have put in the training. I hit all of my speed workouts, never missed a long run, hit my negative splits, felt comfortable hitting my race pace during training runs, and tirelessly analyzed all my training information from Strava, making sense of how I can get faster and be more efficient.

It’s my first time in Boston, but I have no idea what the city is like because I had to get a 1-mile warm-up run in, get to the expo to pick up my bib, and get off my feet to be ready for race day. I sacrificed, worked, and watched what I ate, carb-loaded, all for the buildup of race day. I picture the race, feeling comfortable at my pace, constantly checking my Garmin to make sure I’m on track, following my hydration and nutrition plan as I tackle Heartbreak Ridge at mile 20. I turn left onto Boylston Street for the final four blocks. I can’t hear the crowd because I’m so focused on my time. I’m almost at the finish line to set a new PR (Personal Record)….wait, wait, wait, first of all, there is no way in heck I am fast enough to race Boston, let alone even come close to qualifying for it!! And you know what, I am totally good with that!

My “Why” for Running

I have no dreams or inclinations to qualify or even run the Boston marathon, the holy grail for many runners alike. That is not my “why” for running. For a lot of runners and lots of patients I see, that is theirs, and I totally support that and will do everything I can on the physical therapy side to help them achieve that dream. But for me, I am not a fast runner by any means, and consider myself more of a mid-pack runner. I choose to run because it helps my physical and mental state, takes battle with my grief, helps me stay healthy, and gives me more energy.

There is the popular notion that the only reason to run is to run faster and better. I want to assure you that is simply not true! Although that is the INSPIRATION for some runners, I don’t feel that is an accurate portrayal for all or the why for the majority of the 50 million runners in the US.

The Overwhelming Speed-Focused Messages

When individuals get into running and search the internet for information on running, you are bombarded with sites such as:

• “10 ways to improve your speed”
• “Why you’re not improving your pace”
• “Why you’re not getting faster”
• “Why you’re not hitting your splits”
• “You need to do this many miles”
• “You suck!” (OK, that last one wasn’t there, but for the casual runner, that is how you can feel.)

You can search for ads and sites with skinny athletic-built runners displaying the latest running apparel or attire, and crazy in-shape running coaches who are taking on running clients to help them PR. It can be an intimidating space and can dissuade people from enjoying this incredible outlet. I’m here to tell you: DON’T LET THAT STOP YOU! Running is for everyone regardless of ability. It doesn’t matter what your pace is, if you race, if you hit a certain number of miles, if you run, YOU’RE A RUNNER!!

What really defines us as runners is having a purpose, having a why! You have access to this great community, and no one is going to stop you.

The Secret: We’re All Doing the Same Stuff

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: athletes are doing the same stuff you are in regards to running. They are lacing up shoes, eating gels/gummies for fuel, running miles, prioritizing good nutrition, doing strength training, stretching, mobility work, and dynamic warm-up exercises. Granted, the elites are doing it more regimented with a purpose of winning a race, securing sponsorships, optimizing their running performance, winning purse money—hey, it’s their job! It’s how they make a living, and they are genetically gifted at what they do, and it is something to marvel at. I absolutely get jacked up watching documentaries on these runners. This group can do things that are beyond my ability. It is super motivating and can be a big source of INSPIRATION to any runner! The feats that these people do are impressive and should not be overlooked.

Different Categories of Runners

Then, the next group of runners, those that participate in the sport recreationally, as they have full-time jobs, but they are damn good at it. They are fast, set PR’s, qualify for Boston, and finish the ultramarathons in the top percentage. They may not have the same capabilities as those 1% elites do, but they are a special group.

I signed up for my first marathon after reading Dean Karnazes’s book, “The Ultramarathon Man”. That brings me to the next category! Whatever you want to call us—middle-packers, back-of-packers, casual runners, fun runners—we fit in many categories, but yet we tend to be the forgotten group. But dammit, we are a special group, and there are many more of us! Guess what? We belong in the same running community as everyone else. We run with a purpose, a story, a why. We run to challenge our mind, our body, test our limits. Hell, we run too, to get better at it. We will search for PR times, and look to fulfill our own personal achievement. We can share our story with other runners or it can just be ours.

An All-Inclusive Community

We get the same injuries as the elites and sub-elites, we wear the same shoes, same apparel, eat the same bars, drink the same electrolytes, do the same exercises, and run on the same roads and trails. So what if we don’t qualify for specific races, hit certain times, run the same mileage, hit the same pace—we are still freaking awesome! Don’t ever think that you’re not, or be intimidated that you have to do something else because you don’t think you belong in this community. Whatever type of runner you are, if you run, then you know what, YOU’RE A RUNNER!! Welcome to this special all-inclusive club!! Happy to have you here!!

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you have any questions or want to schedule an evaluation for your run-related injury or marathon preparation, feel free to reach out to me and schedule at our Vida Ravenna Clinic (206-315-7998).

Follow me on Instagram @pt4inspiredrunner and/or visit my website at www.pt4inspiredrunner.com.