A Running Debate

I read an e-bulletin today that posed a debate: Are slower runners ruining the sport?
I wasn't shocked. I'd read an article or two arguing either side. Some gripe about how standards have gotten looser due to the lack of powerhouse runners like there were back in the day while others applaud beginners and slow runners for peeling themselves off of the couch.
I started running a little over 2 years ago. My sister and I trained ourselves for a 1/2 marathon with the sole goal of getting through it. Since then I've been trying to keep running and now I'm doing this crazy marathon thing with the sole goal of getting through it. If I felt pressured to maintain a certain speed during my first race, I likely wouldn't have done it. If I felt pressure now, I wouldn't have put myself through all of this. I'd be on said couch with a pizza and the remote.
I don't believe that slower runners hinder the sport, I think that they keep it going lest it wander into strange obscurity where only a handful of people attempt it: like Street Luge.

My apologies to any Street Lugers who read this blog.