Are You a Fasthole or a Slowhole?
Kelly Johnson writes about runners who have bad attitudes towards those faster or slower than themselves in her Run Oregon blog. I see similar attitudes among walkers at times. A "fasthole" is someone who makes fun of those slower than themselves, doesn't support team mates who are slower, and complains that slow people degrade the sport. Many walkers are "slowholes" who assume that anybody faster than themselves is a "fasthole," and don't give them support or cheer them on for their accomplishments.
Attending walking/running events, I mostly see the runners who stick around to cheer on the walkers and the slow runners. I suppose any real fastholes have done their cool down, gotten a massage, and been home with their recovery drinks long before I finish. As a result, I tend to see runners as wonderful people who cheer on us slow-skies. Walkers need to use good race etiquette at events so we don't give the real fastholes fodder for their prejudices.
Even out for your fitness walks, don't be a slowhole and block the sidewalk or path, ignoring runners and bikers who want to pass. Good trail manners means sharing the space with those faster and slower than ourselves. Cheer on those who enjoy more speed. I get irritated with slower people blocking the trail, but that can be defused with a friendly hello and asking if you can pass. Whether you are passing or being passed, wish them a great day.
I've been a fast walker and I've been a slow walker. I get frustrated when my usual walking buddies are out of sync with me. But I remind myself that they aren't faster or slower just to irritate me, they need my support and my cheering them on. I have to feel great when they set a fast finish time or conquer a hill minutes ahead of me. I have to be patient if they are trailing. Or I have to find that ideal walking buddy who matches me step for step, every day. That doesn't happen!
What's your experience? Do you have a confession to make about being a fasthole or a slowhole? Kelly credits Carin Moonin for coining the terms.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner
I would be considered a slow-POKE! I used to care how fast I was, simply because I was trying to be the best I could be. Then I surrounded myself with wonderful human beings whose goal was to walk, enjoy, finish, and share success with each other. As such, I am now happy to merely participate and enjoy human companionship, whether it be slow or fast! After all, the MP3 never tells me “Atta Girl, pick ‘em up & put ‘em down”, nor does it give me a cool spray in the summer or mittens in the winter.
My gal pal Maggie and I walk slowly. There is a nice little trail around our trailer park and most of the folks walk fast, but we all get along well.
My partner, Mark, and I are a little bit of both. Some days, when we are training for a long race walk, we walk too fast for the other mall walkers. When we are in recovery mode, we walk too slow. Can’t seem to please anybody, LOL.
I would say I’m a slowpoke…I’m up to just over 2 miles a walk, but my body resists too much of a faster pace. I would love to get faster, but it’s just not happening.