I'm asking this because, I want some opinions from my fellow runners on here.
I want to ask if you guys think I'm a freak show for being an African American distance runner. I've been doing some digging around the internet and I found an interesting article on runner's world. It stated that the number of minority runners is exceedingly low compared to white runners(like not even 2%).
I've been running for about 18 years and deep down I tend to feel so lonely because it's hard meeting people I can relate to concerning my sport. I've never cared for the mainstream sports. I realized that early in my life that I would never be any good at the mainstream sports being only 5'5". In America, if you're not big and tall you'll never excel at the mainstream sports.
I've tried so hard to reach out to people. I want to meet people I can run with. People on the internet always brag about their group runs, but IRL I've learned that outside of running clubs that is practically impossible. I've also come to a point that if I did have someone to run with, I want someone that can really run.
I've been busting my gut to get faster and I'll be damned if some newbie runner is going to slow me down. 9 or 10 minute miles are unacceptable. I feel like I occupy some strange middle space between cultures because I choose sports that aren't accepted by my own culture and I'm also more of an anomaly in the running community. Lastly, most people just call me crazy for wanting to run 10-15 miles everyday. Right now I really do feel like a freak show.
It's hard enough being an otaku and nerd in general. I just needed to let this off my chest. Thanks!!
I want to ask if you guys think I'm a freak show for being an African American distance runner. I've been doing some digging around the internet and I found an interesting article on runner's world. It stated that the number of minority runners is exceedingly low compared to white runners(like not even 2%).
I've been running for about 18 years and deep down I tend to feel so lonely because it's hard meeting people I can relate to concerning my sport. I've never cared for the mainstream sports. I realized that early in my life that I would never be any good at the mainstream sports being only 5'5". In America, if you're not big and tall you'll never excel at the mainstream sports.
I've tried so hard to reach out to people. I want to meet people I can run with. People on the internet always brag about their group runs, but IRL I've learned that outside of running clubs that is practically impossible. I've also come to a point that if I did have someone to run with, I want someone that can really run.
I've been busting my gut to get faster and I'll be damned if some newbie runner is going to slow me down. 9 or 10 minute miles are unacceptable. I feel like I occupy some strange middle space between cultures because I choose sports that aren't accepted by my own culture and I'm also more of an anomaly in the running community. Lastly, most people just call me crazy for wanting to run 10-15 miles everyday. Right now I really do feel like a freak show.
It's hard enough being an otaku and nerd in general. I just needed to let this off my chest. Thanks!!