15 replies to this topic

[wombatface]

This is a poll so readers can take a guess at what pace is sustainable for Victoralias - a 43-year-old novice runner. The thread about "sustainable 3 minute kilometres" is here.

[Chopper the Hands man]

wombatface, on Apr 17 2008, 03:53 PM, said:

This is a poll so readers can take a guess at what pace is sustainable for Victoralias - a 43-year-old novice runner. The thread about "sustainable 3 minute kilometres" is here.

I suggest he read this before he competes.

http://www.pponline..../encyc/0378.htm

[Greg]

I know it sounds weird. But it's starting to feel a little like internet bullying.

I don't know the guy, and whilst I might have an opinion on his running ability, the last thing I would want is for this site/thread to cause him any suffering or humiliation.

So Victoralias, if you are reading this, I would like to apologise (only on my own behalf) for any ill feeling or sadness my comments may have caused.

Everyone has their place in the world, and whilst some peoples comments may irritate us, let's not forget that there is never an excuse for attacking someone personally, especially not in a public forum, and especially based on second hand, non-contextual information.

(places flame proof suit on)

There is one other thing Victoralias. It is very rare that anyone gets a hard time on this site for not meeting their goal. In fact, quite often there is extra support for those that fail to achieve a set target, as we all know what it's like to work hard yet not achieve the goal. The quickest way to stop this thread is to race, whatever the outcome. 28 minutes or 38 minutes. No one will fault you for trying.

[brizza]

greg,you are correct,i wish victor alias well in his endevours and hope that he succeeds,it would be a very pleasing thing to witness even from the oddity that is the internet,

[Chopper the Hands man]

I actually like what Victoralias is doing and his training methods and I am more interested in seeing how effective they can be, rather than see him fail.

Good luck, Victoralias.

Cheers

[fitnessfreak]

i dont think he ran the times and distances he said he was guys he said he started his training at 100miles a week haha and said he had formerly done 10.6 in highschool he would have been the fastest 100meter runner in australia or at least his state back then.
>> fitnessfreak <<

[SlimDJ]

I think I am uncomfortable with this poll too. There are a few nutters on Coolrunning, and most of us appear to manage not to get too caught up in their comments - I'll even go so far as to say that the ramblings of a minority make for some unpleasant experiences.

However - on the whole - most of the people who post are able to stick up for themselves. But I don't think this makes it right to gang up and vote on the validity (or otherwise) of their comments.

[Still Building]

This is disappointing.

Wombatface, did you get the okay from Victorialis to have a poll?

Attack his arguments / reasoning by all means but don't do this.

I find it hard to believe that 65 people have actually voted (to this point in time). And many took the time to vote that Victorialis won't even have a go. Why do that?
That really is pathetic. And it probably shows through when you run.

The mob mentality is alive and well on the internet.

Good luck to Victorialis.

Edited by Still Building, 19 April 2008 - 12:15 AM.

[Colin]

I am against this poll too and I am surprised it hasn't been canned by the moderators, who jump up and down about much smaller indiscretions.

I contributed to the 'sustainable 3min/km thread' , but only to point out anomalies from his blog vis a vis the speed he is running at etc.
After all VA started the thread and asked for contributions. But I have not attacked his character, and if inadvertently so, I apologise.

But this poll is outright internet bullying designed to invite negative comments against him.

The 400m speed thread to a lesser extent to, providing it steers away from him and stays general... but was started with a link to a video clip of him.

Whatever VA thinks of his own ability or his training methods, I hope he runs well... not to satisfy anyone here, but himself only.

[Kato]

Victoralias

Do the best you can do. I think that people starting in their later life (like us) have a lot of improving available to catch up to our genetic potential. Where would Ed Whitlock be if people told him he'd never run another sub three hour marathon?

He'd be out there, proving them wrong, I think.

[DrJH]

I don't see any harm in this poll. If you put yourself out there in the public domain (via a blog) I don't see how you avoid public opinion.

It wouldn't bother me if a poll appeared on my predicted time for the state 10k road or SMH half marathon, etc. I'd be pleased with the fast predictions and the slow ones would motivate me to run as fast as I could!

From what I've read of Victoralias this poll won't shake his self belief.

[victoralias]

DrJH, on Apr 19 2008, 02:21 PM, said:

I don't see any harm in this poll. If you put yourself out there in the public domain (via a blog) I don't see how you avoid public opinion.

It wouldn't bother me if a poll appeared on my predicted time for the state 10k road or SMH half marathon, etc. I'd be pleased with the fast predictions and the slow ones would motivate me to run as fast as I could!

From what I've read of Victoralias this poll won't shake his self belief.

One of the main reasons I became interested in the 3 minute k thing in the first place was because everyone in the know told me it was nigh on impossible to sustain this pace and the fact that they're still saying so makes me more determined than ever to prove them wrong. I'm one of these (un)fortunate types who can best focus his energies on a project only when a high order of difficulty -and therefore a high chance of failure- is involved.

It helps my faith in human nature that some kind people are considerate of my feelings -thank you I truly appreciate it- but I think I'd be disappointed if people weren't doubting my abilities as a runner. Of course it hurts to be effectively told that "you're too old to run fast", not to mention that "you're a nutter", but also it energises. Its official. I don't mind the poll at all. Your motives weren't pure but God bless you wombatface. And be assured that, come what may, this story is far from told. My physio tells me my body has years of high level running in it and, after months -not years- of running, I feel I'm only only now getting warmed up. And I'm already fast... or am I? Am I merely a middle-aged sluggard with delusions of grandeur? Time will eventually tell us. Time always does.

Edited by victoralias, 19 April 2008 - 10:25 PM.

[rohan]

so victorialis,
did you put in a vote?
... which option?

[Rudolf]

rohan, on Apr 20 2008, 09:17 PM, said:

so victorialis,
did you put in a vote?
... which option?

this looks like Johny at last election voting for Maxine

[wombatface]

Thanks Victoralias. My Sunday school teacher was forever trying to improve my purity, but I was too much of a bully to put up with her authority and resigned in my second year. I'll blame the poll on the devilish side of my character.

I like your determination. If only more of the young athletes I see were so determined.

I know you're a filmmaker, so put me down to buy a copy when you make the "Sustainable 2:50 or 3:00" film.

Dr JH, I'd be happy to put up a poll about your estimated finishing time in the state 10k. Probably start at 31:01 and go to 35:00, with DNS and DNF as two other options.

[obiwan]

I have nothing but respect for runners who set themselves goals, but in this particular case Victoralias is simply not a smart enough runner to realise his goal is almost unattainable. His plan is to beat Steve Moneghetti over 10km. Mona still runs sub 3min/kms for the Ballarat "Lap of the Lake", a 5.92 km course and only just missed this at a fast Sandown course. Its not like Mona stopped running when he retired from international running, you still see him training in Ballarat and smashing up quality runners 20 years his junior. He's over 45. Sorry Victoralias but i just don't think determination is enough for you here.