When Marathoners Make Excuses for a Bad Time
Marathoners have no shortage of excuses for a disappointing finish time… A bad day over 26.2 miles? Here are the top 10 excuses runners use to explain a below-par performance. These crafty characters are endlessly inventive. Stay brave, pin on a bib and try again!
Excuse no. 1 – “It was the ultra boost power energy gels. No bonk at all.”
We know gels can be hard for some people to tolerate and digest, which is why it’s so important to test them before race day. Just don’t use them as a ready-made alibi when your finishing time doesn’t go to plan. We see what you’re doing!
Excuse no. 2 – “I thought I’d break three hours, but I tore my ACL.”
The go-to injury excuse, and an ideal one at that. We hear about those famous cruciate ligaments all the time… Sorry, but tearing your ACL playing football at 11 doesn’t explain why you missed your marathon goal 20 years later.
Excuse no. 3 – “I think I’m injured. I’ve got a bit of pain.”
No, a slight pain in your left elbow isn’t the reason you can’t run a marathon. Nice try, though!
Excuse no. 4 – “It was the pacer’s fault.”
The pacer gets the blame for everything… Those race volunteers carry flags on their backs showing the target time. No, it wasn’t their fault. They were running at the right pace despite the weight of that flag on their backpack.
Excuse no. 5 – “The marathon wasn’t certified anyway”
True, your watch said the marathon was 42.198 km with 60 metres of elevation gain by the finish. It may not have been officially certified, but that’s not enough to explain your time…
Excuse no. 6 – “I didn’t do any training.”
Yeah, right. You did the training block, and you’ve been training five times a week for four months. Excuse denied.
Excuse no. 7 – “I was only there to enjoy the scenery anyway.”
Some courses are undeniably beautiful, but let’s be honest: that’s not really why you were there, is it?
Excuse no. 8 – “I felt great. It must have been the moon.”
The moon. Always the moon. Poor thing, it gets blamed for everything.
Excuse no. 9 – “It was just my long run, not a goal race.””
No one’s buying it! You train for it, pin on a bib, talk about it for three months, then run your marathon. You didn’t do all that for an ordinary long run. Come on, tell us the truth!
Excuse no. 10 – “It was the aid stations. I lost too much time there.”
Sure… Even if Tuc crackers and oranges are delicious, that’s not what you came for! We know it.