Really "adventure" races...really?!?! (Page 2)

Okay, since this is still alive, I'll throw in some more thoughts and see if it brings a little hypocrisy to light.

First, I'm all in favor of enticing people to become more active. That's a good thing. But if an event is dumbed down so that people can do it with no training, how does that help? Is it so that they can now label themselves as "active" and feel good about themselves because they got off the couch for a day?

And how about schools that don't give grades because we're all afraid we'll stifle our childrens' fragile self-esteem? I think there's a commencement speech attributed to Bill Gates that gets a lot of airplay every June that everyone seems to love -- Hey, there are winners and losers in life, get used to it. So now we make a kinder and gentler "tough race" where we don't take down your time and don't give out awards for the fast folks and... Wow. Is that really any different?

I kind of thought that the idea of the obstacle race jumped the shark long (okay, "long" is relative) before the Dirty Girl event -- how many me-too races have popped onto the calendar? And no, they're not really "adventure races". That's a whole different breed.

No, I won't do an event like this. I realize it's all volunteer -- enter if you want, don't enter if you don't want. I'm not going to deride any one who enters this event -- good on ya.

Edited by briderdt 2013-05-20 12:06 PM

"Help" what?
If someone got off their couch and slugged through a 5K dirty girl event (with or without training) - what's it to you? I'd venture to say 99% of the world does things that you don't want to, but they enjoy doing, and vice versa. Why pick on this one?

Most of my friends are not triathletes, or even runners. I've been able to get a couple running and biking by inviting them to events where you can get by with a little bit of experience. Trail runs that are actually more like trail hikes, and fun bike "rides". One's gone off and run her first 1/2 marathon after realizing sweating is not so bad, and that she can actually run. They're not for everyone, but if it takes a fun setting to start at with little pressure to get someone to give an active lifestyle a try, then I think it's great. They're learning things about their physical abilities. May be small things to a seasoned athlete, but it could mean taking a leap into something more challenging for one that's not.

Edited by Blanda 2013-05-20 6:09 PM

I can actually see the reasoning. In fact, I can see the reasoning for THIS event more than some of the others. The other seem like clones (but look like fun). But THIS one? I bet there could be a significant population of women that would like to try something like this but felt this it's probably full of military and military wanna-bees and testosterone filled young lads trying to be hard core. Probably all the chest bumping and war cries... (I'm sort of envisioning there is something like that at these things - I never been to one) Same reason they have a women's section in most gyms.

It may seem like it's getting watered down with all the events and different branded races. I also thought think that every time they add another IM - but they keep selling out. So more power to them. Plus if SOMETHING strikes a chord in someone to get off their butts and do something active after everything else failed? What's the harm in that in this country of obesity.

I did the Tough Mudder last year. No big deal. It was quite shocking at the end though.

I really miss the smiley face with sunglasses coz that's what I would have added at the end of my sentence.

I agree with your posts Lisa. I'm a bit confused why it would bother someone if someone else says they are active or not. Who cares what someone wants to label themselves? Or on what criteria they label themselves? Shoot, if some stranger wants to say they are the world's greatest athlete after running a mile - what impact does that have to me? ZERO. Is it some fear that if you call yourself an "athlete" if someone who does this and also calls themselves an "athlete" it waters it down?

It's also interesting how someone can look down on a 5k, or 10k or whatever because they do "more". I guess if I wanted, I could mock all the 1, 2, or 3 time IM'ers since I did four. Someone who has done 5 or more can mock me. Someone who did an ultra can mock them... Where does it end?

To me, this just seems like a fun activity. All activities don't have to be a lifestyle. I play golf occasionally and I'm sure some "good" golfers think I'm a poser because I'm not at the range every day. To me, golf is a fun day out - just like this race. I'm surprised at the elitism and condescension about a simple fun weekend event.

Kido - I don't have to be "elitist" in order think some activities, like Tough Mudder, are stupid.

Hell, I think golf is stupid....and bowling....except Wii bowling, that's cool...probably because you don't need the shoes.

You take that back! Bowling is awesome!

Well the difference is you're not going around on golf or bowling sites bashing what you don't like...

Heck I dunno, maybe you are? That would complete the circle of life for this thread.

i have no interest in these color me rad 5ks that are popping up everywhere. BUT they are getting SO MANY PEOPLE off the couches and running. my sister gained 70 pounds while pregnant, had her son jan 15 (or so - i really should learn that date) and fit back into her wedding dress (down 80 pounds in 4 months) before the race last week. the girl had NEVER run before.

how on earth is that NOT impressive? and how does that affect my sense of accomplisment when i run my first marathon this year?

Edited by mehaner 2013-05-21 7:32 AM

I have zero interest in the color run 5k's. However, I have done a Warrior Dash, and I thought it was a really fun "race". It's the first race I ever did that made me want to line up in the next wave and do it again.

That was really insensitive. (crap, no stick the tongue out smiley faces anymore either)

I'd say there are hobbies that I have no interest in, that others do, but not sure if I'd label them "stupid" just because I have no passion for them.

I've no interest in walking around with a dog in the swamp trying to shoot ducks, but my brother loves it. And I respect that.. I know a lot of other people do to.. so I try not to be DB and say it to their faces.

Edited by KateTri1 2013-05-21 8:41 AM

I enjoy lots of things that other people think are stupid.....sometimes they tell me they think it's stupid...I laugh.

I guess I could go through life being offended all the time, but that just seems.....well........stupid.

I had to bike past a color run last year on my way out for long ride and got pelted. Worse yet, they got it on my bike! So I am now officially a hater

I'm still confused about the point of a color run.

I pay $50 to run 3 miles and have someone throw colored corn starch all over me, ruining my running gear? And it's fun?

How?

well, if you really really think I'm actually offended and not really just giving you a hard time coz it seems like you kinda like it... well, that's really stupid. (stick the tongue out smiley face)

I got it.............especially the duck hunting part. I'm just trying to be sensitive to "those who demand to be offended".

This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by Teejaay 2013-05-21 10:21 AM

Thanks .. and damm.. Now I have to find the "Settings" icon

of course I found it right after making this comment.. doh!!!

Edited by KateTri1 2013-05-21 10:50 AM

Exactly. In the book "I am an Ironman" one of the women whose training the author followed tore her ACL by falling off a wall at one of these Adventure Races. All of the training that she did for IM AZ was over one month before the race because of the injury.

When I mouse over it I get another fat lady in underwear.....I can't have nothing!!

On a very base level I don't care what people do with their money. Buy a $500 bottle of wine. Take a trip to the Antarctica. Eat fast food. I see the value in those experiences it is just the value is out of step for what you pay for those experiences and the reason people do it is because we are fish and happy to be guided by which ever way the water is flowing. Or at least that is how it seems to me.

About the chick, I wasn't saying that I am better than her because I am not wasting my time training or complementing in a 5k obstacle race. She in fact looked quite buff and probably headed off some place to do 100 burpees and drag a tire around a parking lot. Maybe the 5k sparatan was just part of a bigger season for her. My point was that she was doing a far harder workout than the minimum, I guess you had to see the hill and how fast they were running it. But that doesn't matter, if she was a big chubber huffing and puffing it up the hill i would have had mad respect for her too.

I don't disrespect the people or even the people doing the event, I disrespect the event. I would add that I am not immune to marketing, especially the marketing of running shoes of which I have far too many pairs and have spent far too much money. I do it because it makes me happy. So I get that bit.