So Over That

[Heather!]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the more press a race gets the less you want to do it? I mean, you've all heard of the Bolder Boulder, right? People ask me aaaaalllll the damn time if I'm gonna do it... they treat it like it's senior prom and if you don't go you won't be popular. It really kind of disgusts me and, as such, i really have no desire to run it. Does anyone else get like that?

[Pablo]

You know, I get the same thing all the time; even with the damn Bolder Boulder (I get that question too, "did you do the Bolder Boulder?") and likewise I have decided never to run it, ever. There are hundreds of other races, events, etc. that are way cooler and have less people to jumble your way through. But then in general I have issues with overpopulated races. Part of why I run is that I don't have to take evasive action because I feel like I'm on a foosball table.

[Heather!]

i totally agree with you. too many people (90% of which can't run to save their fat lives anyway) completely ruins the experience. it's kind of along the same lines as going to the mall the day after thanksgiving.

[Jay Silvio]

I agree. Even with chip timing, I have no desire to run a race where I won't even cross the starting line within 5 minutes of the gun going off. If I'm going to race I want to have a chance to run a decent time; I'm not out for the social experience (that's what post-race parties are for).

[Heather!]

exactly! it's not a place for friends and family to gather and do something fun - go to the zoo!

[Jogging Jim]

This race isn't about being social, unless you are staged back with the joggers. The Bolder Boulder is about challenging yourself against the best runners in the state/ region. As true runners, why wouldn't you toe the line with your peers?

[Heather!]

oh you're pitting yourself against some amazing runners,no doubt, but i'm not saying the race isn't a challenge or that this one in particular is about being social (though i think for quite a few people it is). i'm just saying the sheer popularity of it is a turn off. to me, it seems to go against what true running is all about. i would suggest that true runners, as i consider myself to be, don't want to deal with thousands of joggers (and not even during the race... before and after and allllll around). i think our true "peers" can be found doing lesser known events. but that's just my opinion.

[Heather!]

so it turns out that ryan hall is running the bolder boulder this year. what the hell? sorry, but that totally lessens my opinion of him. way to jump on the bandwagon ryan.

[Jogging Jim]

Personally I think this is amazing!
Bandwagon? Not sure what that implies, but tell you what. How often are you going to see America's two brightest stars racing in person? I've seen Deena win the Bolder Bolder all 3 times and just witnessed her win in the trials in Boston in person. She is truly an inspiration. This is going to be a once in a lifetime pro race this year.

[Heather!]

i don't know. i guess i'm just not really inspired by other people. i'm motivated by me.

[Jay Silvio]

You have to remember that Ryan is not like you or me. Running is his job and Ryan needs to get paid (and the additional media coverage can't hurt). He'd be an idiot not to run a high profile event like this one. He's not going to need to worry about dealing with the crowds like we would since he'll get a seeded starting position and will be in the lead pack from the get-go.

[Heather!]

yeah, i know, ryan hall is basically god to the running world. and yeah, he needs to get paid. but this race in particular already gets more attention than it deserves (and so does the city of boulder which i've gotta say is one little media whore of a town) and is ryan really a 10k kind of guy?

[Jay Silvio]

There are only so many marathons one should run in a year. Ryan does hold the American record for the half and was a 5K champ in college, so I imagine he's a pretty good 10K guy.