Stop asking me to sponsor you to walk a 5k
If you are not running to help save the world these days you are just selfish, but if you walk around a 5k in about 2 hours you're 'amazing' and everyone will tell you so. Sometimes they should just be told "That's rubbish, doing a 5k in about 20minutes a mile is not good and not worthy of my £2, when you actually put some effort in then I will make the effort to give you my hard earned cash".
Charity is everywhere these days and you can't walk down a street without someone asking me "Do you want to help the blind?, how can you answer that! You watch telly and they want me to help some dog who has been kicked out of its home (probably because it wont stop barking), help the tigers in Africa, help the children of the world and all for just a little amount per month...it's not little if you do them all though.
The problem with running is it is a cash cow for charity's, everyone is running for charity...the problem is the same people keep doing it and I don't want to give you any more money....if you want to run, fine, but I aint giving you anymore money. Someone asked me the other day to sponsor him so I said what time you aiming for and he said "just to finish", well anyone can finish....train for it and make some sacrifice and I will sacrifice some money, and why do they always seem to be raising £2,000.....send me a brake down of where it goes and then I will decide what to give you.
Recently I went to a hog roast fund raiser, this was great as I got fed and had some entertainment (granted not Tom Jones) and ALL the money left over went to charity, the guys organising it are giving ALL the money to the hospital, no money for their flights to climb some big mountain, no money for entry fee, no money to some director of the charity.
There has always been a good balance between the elite and charity (Nova do it the best) but some races now seem to forget it's a 'race' and so long as everyone smiles as they cross the finish line, even if it's a day late, and they raise more money than they can dream about then its worth it.
Someone looked down on my boss earlier this week when he said he was just doing a marathon because he wanted to and not for a charity.
Charity starts at home, and if races are keeping all the cash to give to charity then I need to save my pennies....or maybe organise a race myself to see exactly what the £30 is having to be spent on.
Simx
Comments On "Stop asking me to sponsor you to walk a 5k"
No problemo Mr Shop assistant, and keep telling yourself your a good runner. Say it enough, and in time, you will believe it!!!! get me a size 8 now!!!!! hahaha
John Grimes Posted on October 26th, 2010Cheers John, and thanks for reading my blogs (every day)....it means a lot.
simx Posted on October 26th, 2010Oh you lucky boy, haha. Im green with envy!!! Its good to see that Saucony spronsor bums too, not just 27-28 min 10k runners. Keep living
John Grimes Posted on October 26th, 2010the dream you muppet. hahaha
John - hehe! Some good points well made. As much as I'd love to chat some new saucony kit and trainers have just been delivered so you will have to excuse me while I have a look at what iv got! Take a ticket and just join the long que you mentioned.
Simx Posted on October 25th, 2010Simon Talented????? 3040 swansea bay, 3040 cardiff give or take a couple of secs. Dropped out in cardiff half, ran like a fool in the 6 stage.
John Grimes Posted on October 25th, 2010From what i hear simon is not well liked at all in wales, and there is a large que of people biding their time. Thats why simon works in a sports shop and is not a journalist. Ive seen far more talented boys than this uneducated muppet!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all the comments, Paul I am good thanks...will see you around no doubt, hope your well.
simx Posted on October 24th, 2010Will -Eating cake got them in the mess they are in! HaHa
Langerz - I have no doubt it has effected our standard. From schools not being allowed to have competative races incase people get upset at losing to the goal being to finish a race rather than win has all contributed to us losing the competative edge.
emphasis on the word RACE
I agree Simx to a big degree that all these runs for charity (i wont call them races) are forgetting it is first most supposed to be a race not a gentle canter. Earlier in the year I could not gain entry to a 10K race which was supposed to include the county championships as part of it, no much how much I pleaded with race organises that 1 extra place was unacceptable. The race ended up with a poor standard and a charred to call it a country championships there were around 5 serious runner and 3000 walkers for charity. These charities forget it is a race!
langerz Posted on October 23rd, 2010Perhaps this is part of the reason for the decline in running standards because there is no emphasis on pushing yourself and racing any more but as long as your raising money for charity all is right in the world.
addendum
ps. let them eat cake...;-)
will edwards Posted on October 23rd, 2010charity
guy gets to fifty then thinks if i dont stop smoking and lose weight il probably die soon and whats he want a medal well he got one well done took him fifty years to realise this mr walker fairplay thats a load of rubbish if ever i heard any hi simon u ok
paul richards Posted on October 23rd, 2010Empathy?
You raise some good points. I agree with your point that all monies being given should be passed in full to the charity. Just as people can choose whether or not to smoke, they can choose whether or not to give to charity; and just as health warnings are clear to smokers, so should it be made clear when money is going elsewhere. I feel that fundraisers should show some empathy and realise that not everyone wants to be hounded for cash. There are so many good causes they must respect that people should be allowed to draw their own line.
will edwards Posted on October 23rd, 2010However remember how much charitable organisations give back purpose to people who have lost their way and how many people find running through a 5K or 10K for charity. As I say to my wife Sarah - from little things, big things grow (?real charity at home);-) How many saucony products are sold to charity runners and who do they sponsor again?...mmmm......
The general population is lazy and I do lack empathy, they should want to keep fit for themselves. You say your friend was smoking (something that tells you it will kill you on the packet) so no I don't really have time for these people, sorry.
simx Posted on October 22nd, 2010It is up to you if you want to give him money, if you feel he deserves it thats fine and up to you...but I wouldnt, thats my opinion.
Simx
Your post comes across as arrogant and totally lacking empathy for people. Not everybody is as gifted a superstar like you. At a time when the general population is getting less active, obesity and especially child obesity is on the increase any running should be applauded and encouraged. And if they are doing it for a good cause, then all the better. You state in your post that anyone can finish, does that mean that people at the back of the field are lazy? Not everyone comes from your background of training and undoubted talent. A dear friend of mine reached 50 overweight and smoking, decided to do something about it. 6 months later decided to compete in a half marathon. He did it and just about ran every step, for him to finish was the goal and this goes for many of the runners that compete. Maybe I should have withheld my sponsorship and called him a fat lazy sod for not doing it quicker?????
David Walker Posted on October 22nd, 2010