Riding a run Course

[Sandy]

At some marathons and Ironman it is common to see non-racers running along the race course or riding their bikes.  Some times the runners are pacing registered runners and sometimes they are out for their usual Sunday morning run.  Same thing with the bikers.  Now I see both sides of this issue.  As long as these non-runners don't impede my forward progress I don't have a problem with them being there.  Obviously if they are running in my geographical area they are not winning the race and I don't see this as any worse then those that race with their Ipods (that bugs me).  If it gets them through the race, go for it.  This past summer while walking the run course of Ironman Lake Placid I saw a non-registered runner who was obviously running his usual route and no race was going to stop him.  The only problem was I noticed he had tucked himself in behind the 5th overall male and was drafting off him.  While not impeding his forward progression it does take a mental toll on the draftee and while all's fair in racing and war, this guy was not in the race.  This I felt was VERY wrong and just a bit rude.

Incidentally PEC forbids bikers from riding the course which I disagree with.  It is actually not the organization but the Picton O.P.P. who have a problem with it. 

[Jane]

Shouldn't it depend on the rules of the event?   I can't see why a biker can't ride alongside a runner once the event has become spaced out and there aren't many people around.  I know someone who did it a couple of years ago and they said that if the person hadn't been there on the bike they would have been all alone.

This isn't a running race, but the Surf & Turf has a rule about no pacers with the participants.  We saw this happen a couple of years ago - three guys running and pacing one of the runners (a young woman) up the County Rd 22 hill.  It upset us because it was in violation of the rules and since everyone else appeared to be following the rules, this girl should have too.  Plus one of the guys pacing her was on OUR team!  So either follow the rules and enforce them, or change the rules.

One thing I liked about PEC (even though I have never run it) is that people's kids can come out at the end and run over the finish line with their parent.  Is that still going to be allowed?  I always thought that this was so nice, and would never happen at NCM just due to the extreme crowds there!  But it was SO NICE to see that at Picton.  It would make me chose that run over another marathon!

I think that guy drafting in Ironman was rude too.  He's probably rude generally in life if he would do something like that.

[The Moose]

I'm glad to see the Ipod issue isn't just mine.  If you check the rules of most races, headphones are illegal (which is why they bother me) and a little bit unsafe as the runner wearing them can't hear.  I've had plenty of music lovers step in front of me unexpectedly presumably because they didn't hear me running right beside them.  I smile a little at the fact they get angry when I've clearly passed them, but they step over on me and are suprised at my presence (I know I'm twisted, but I can live with it.)
As far as cyclists and runners on course, I've never given them any thought at all, the only time I felt anything negative towards a biker/pacer was a TWF this weekend, and after 5 minutes of non-stop chatter about dancing shoes, I picked up the pace to get out of earshot.

I'm disappointed to hear that bikes aren't allowed at PEC, as I had planned on cruising by to provide a little encouragement.

The drafter at Ironman would have received some harsh words from me, as I understand it drafting isn't allowed at all, and would provide an added distraction that the guy behind me was not only running close to me, but cheating as well.  Would have driven me mad.

Did anyone notice all the cellphones at TWF this weekend?  I passed at least 3 people talking on their cell while running!  Really, one woman was carrying on an animated conversation during a marathon.  I'm looking down on people who don't know enough to run around the puddles so they don't need to carry heavy shoes, and this woman is yapping on the phone like a little dog.  That should be illegal and punishable by "cone of silence".

Mike


Mike

[Sandy]

You can check at the expo Mike but as I understand it the OPP Sgt in charge is definitely against them.  I have another OPP officer who volunteers at the finishline because the Sgt won't let him on the course.

Didn't see any cell phones at this race but have seen them at others.

Most people who run with me know that I'm against Ipods for the safety factor, nothing more annoying then being "run" into by someone who doesn't hear you coming.

[julie]

I didn't know that there were runners out there so against other runners listening to music.  I find this a little disheartening because it takes me almost 2.25 hrs  to finish a half and I couldn't bear to do it alone with my thoughts.  And know i find out that I'm making other runners angry.  We're all different in that respect and there is absolutely no way I could enjoy a run without music.  I don't necessarily LIKE this but I have no control over it.  I forgot my walkman a couple years ago at NCM and had to do the half with no music.  Well, I considered it another of lifes' "challenges" and I did it but it was honestly the most horrible half marathon i have ever run.  So please don't hate us....just bear with us and remember that for many of us it is literally one of the few pleasures we get out of running. Not all of us LOVE RUNNING the way some do.  I do it because at this point in my life it is the easiest way for me to keep fit and stay in shape.  It is a complement to my exercise routine and that is why I am always at the back of the pack.  I would hope that most people I am running alongside are not p.o.'d about my earphones!  I am a huge music fan, and as a mother of three it is the ONLY (and i mean ONLY) time that I get to listen to MY kind of music, without constantly hearing "mom!" "mom!" "mom!"   I can honestly say if I couldn't listen to music I wouldn't run.  Plain and simple.  Sad I know, but true.  Like i said, I can't help the way I am....I tried it without music and for ME it was awful.

[julie]

re: cellphones....first you must remember that most people are not SERIOUS runners and are out to have fun.  I think these people look crazy on their cellphones too BUT in Ottawa I became one of them!!!  And let me tell you, I have NEVER felt as foolish as I did while making a phone call at mile 23 of the marathon!!  BUT my husband and my 71 yr. old father and my three very young children were going to wait for me at the finish line.  Those of you with kids know how boring and tiresome waiting at a finish line can be for kids and for those in charge of the kids!  Well, since it was my first marathon I didn't know if I'd be done in 4 hrs. or 4.25, or 4.5 or even 5 hrs for that matter.  I could not see any sense in those kids standing at a finish line for what could have possibly been one or more hours when modern technology has provided me with a way of preventing it.  I figured my kids would be better off in the hotel pool than standing in the heat with thousands of people waiting for mom. (my husband and father were better off too.... I don't know about everyone else but I find men don't generally possess the same patience level when it comes to kids!  Don't want to offend anyone...I did say "generally" okay! It's definitely the case with my husband).  So when I hit the 24 mile mark I knew by my pace that I would be approx. another .5hr which was enough time for my hubby and kids  to get to the finish.  And you know what????  I felt so good at the 24 mile mark that when my husband said "how are you feeling" I was able to answer!!!  And the best part was that he told me he loved me, was proud of me and that he "knew I could do it"  Needless to say when I hung up I had to swallow the big lump in my throat.  But boy was it ever a great "pick me up" when I really needed it!  So again, don't assume someone is just "chatting" on the phone....I can assure you that most are doing what I was doing, or calling a loved one for a little pep talk.  I think we should be glad that this is available to those who choose it... I know it looks funny but for some people it may mean the difference between finishing and not finishing.  (haven't you all seen the Bell Mobility commercial where the dad and kids call the mother during her race?  it makes you cry!)

[Jane]

I don't see a problem with using music when you are running a race, but only if you have it low enough that you can still be aware of what is going on around you.  However I did notice yesterday working at the finish line at the PEC marathon that I would ask people for their timing chip and they would look at me with this dazed look on their face.  At first I thought they were quite out of it, that they couldn't comprehend what I was asking for.  Then, they would whip the earphones out of their ears and they could hear me!  Now if you can't hear what a person two feet in front of you is saying to you, then are you really aware of what is going on around you when you are out on the course?

The other alternative to listening to music is listening to the conversations going on around you, or making conversation with other runners who are out there more for the fun aspect than for the opportunity to Boston qualify.  I've met and had some great conversations with people from all over the country when I've been running races.  I've talked with an older man about how many marathons he had run (he was in his 70s) and with another girl about the Disney marathon (and still managed to finish the 10K in 56:36).  At ATB my friend and I met a girl who was from around Owen Sound who we ran with for about 10K, talking about running.  But then I am a much more social person than some runners.  And I also make sure that I acknowledge as many of the spectators as I can, and thank the volunteers as well.  They are giving up quite a bit of their day to be out there for us, so I figure the least I can do is smile and thank them.

The cell phones doesn't bother me in the least.  I wish I had carried mine when I did the marathon at NCM two years ago and then my husband and older daughter would have seen me come over the finish line.  They didn't have a clue if I had finished or not until after I was through the finish line area.  So I would definitely carry one so I can contact them for this purpose.  I wouldn't carry one to yak on though.  When we ran Disney, I carried mine for the whole race and then called home to Canada to say that I had finished and was sitting at the finish line!  As it was, they already knew because they were live tracking me.  I also noticed at Disney that people were using them to call back and forth to each other when they were in a group that had separated into faster and slower groups so they could see how each other were doing.  I don't see a problem with this either.  As long as they aren't long extended conversations.  And as long as you still remain aware of what is going on around you.

[The Moose]

I can definitely understand a cellphone to let someone know about an anticipated finishing time, or pick up, I've been through that, but you should have heard the "chatter" that I over-heard during that marathon.  It was like some of these people just can't let go of the phone and enjoy what they're doing.  I still couldn't carry one though, again, terrified of dropping and breaking it.  Those sweaty hands and a full-on sprint (or as close to one as I can muster after 42km) are not good for smooth electronics.

Headphones are dangerous to those around you.  I've been bumped, pushed, stepped on and tripped, and almost every time it was accidentally done by a music lover.  I do almost all my training runs with headphones (unless running with a partner or group), and not only does it keep me occupied, but with the right selection can actually help me improve my pace, however, not only are they out of place in a mass start, but they are dangerous and against the rules of most races.  Sorry, that is my opinion though.

On a more positive note, I too have had many interesting conversations while running a marathon.  It's hard for some people to talk during an event like this, so introduce yourself, then ask permission to talk.  Some people need to be "in the zone" to keep going, others appreciate the distraction from their personal battle.  Sounds like you need the distraction.  Try it out, and I think you'll enjoy the run more than ever.

Mike

[Jane]

I agree Moose.  Some people don't want to talk, and I can understand that too.  It's usually pretty easy to tell if they want to.  If I make a comment to them and don't get much of a response, then it's pretty obvious that they want to run undisturbed.