This post was originally just a big block of text. Super boring. I'm adding recent pics and a video just to break up the text, not that they have anything to do with what's being written
Mike McClellan's awesome drone video from the Shannon Trail Series race #3.
No, this post isn't about dispensing sage advice on running a faster 5k. I'm not the expert on that really. This post, which is a collection of thoughts I've had for the past few years, could be summed up quite easily "don't be a jerk face." The rules I have in this post are about making running more enjoyable for you and everyone around you.
1. Don't disparage slower runners. Does it really matter if you're faster than someone else? Does it make you a better person than them? This is something I have seen mostly with "local elites." (To be honest, way more in San Antonio and in the military than in San Angelo) These are those people that might be able to run an 18 minute 5k and get mad at slower runners for sharing the road or trail. They're those people you see who scoff at someone else's accomplishments. 99.99% of runners aren't out there running for a paycheck. We all have our reasons to be putting one foot in front of another. A person's pace or goal is not an appraisal of their character.
2. Don't corral jump. That being said, if you're a slower runner, own it. The streets don't get any wider whether 25 people or 25,000 people are running on them. There have been more than a couple big city races where I spend the first few miles going curb to curb trying to get around large groups of walkers. As I run past, I notice that they snuck into corrals way higher than their assigned corral. In a chip timed race, your time isn't getting any better by starting sooner. You're just clogging up the route for people that should have started in front of you. Again, this is not saying that these people should not be on the course. Just that there is a reason that Rock n Roll San Antonio has 26 time-ordered corrals. If your goal is walking a 4 hour 1/2 marathon, that's great. Please start where you're supposed to so that you're not forcing those people trying to run a BQ time to zigzag all over the course.
3. Don't lie about your times. This one has always surprised and confused me. In today's digital world, nearly all race results are posted online. What is the point in telling someone that you're faster than you actually are? It doesn't make me like you any more than if you're 2 minutes slower. The funny ones are the people that lie about their college track times. ahhh well
4. Don't take yourself too seriously. As I wrote earlier, 99.99% of runners are not doing this for a paycheck. We actually pay to participate in races, a fact that gets made fun of by non-runners. There is no reason to take yourself too seriously. Just a few months ago I was running in the Shannon Pink Ribbon Run. In the early part of the race, I passed a guy that was probably in my age group. Nothing odd about it, I was maintaining my pace and we were on a wide road. Within a few seconds, he sprinted INTO me then passed. Apparently, he didn't appreciate being passed. It didn't work out too well for him because he wasted too much energy on the sprint and I passed him for good, but... really? I mean, I didn't pass him for first place. Even if I had, it's not like the winner gets money or fame. Why take it so seriously?
5. Enjoy the easy runs. OK, maybe this one is a little "coachy." Too many times runners go hard every run. For non-runners it can push them away from the sport/activity because they only have hard runs are the only type of run that comes to mind. Take it easy. Most of your miles should be at a comfortable, conversational pace. Talk to a friend, take in the scenery, or think through life's problems. Mucho take it easy.
6. If you're going to be a training partner, be a consistent one. Not many things annoy me more than waking up extra early to accommodate someone else's optimal run time only to find out last second that they're not going to make it. Really grinds my gears.
7. Give yourself permission to have bad runs. They happen to everyone! I guess this goes hand in hand with don't take yourself too seriously. Sometimes there's not even a great explanation. You can expect a bad run the morning after salsa dancing and 2 am tacos and beers. But after eating healthy and going to bed early? Sometimes it just happens. And it's OK. Maybe turn it into an easy run and just enjoy it.
8. There ARE runners that aren't great people and there are great people who aren't runners. Run through any marathon that goes into residential areas and you are bound to see motivational posters telling you how awesome/amazing you are. I mean... maybe. I have written different posts about life lessons that I have learned through running. Has it made me a better person? possibly. However, it is not the only way to learn those lessons. You will also see runners, even elites, that are complete jerk faces. The lessons that they have learned while running haven't been put into place for their lives. A non-running example is Jon Jones, perhaps the greatest MMA fighter of all time. He just can't transfer that discipline and hard work into his daily life. Running fast, even running for a long time, doesn't equate to someone being an amazing person.
9. Don't be "that" marathoner. The League actually did a hilarious episode on this phenomenon. Marathoners that won't shut the heck up about their marathon. I'm sure I'm guilty of this as well. We know you're excited. And, if you're doing a distance race, you've invested plenty of time and effort into it. Just remember that it's not as important to everyone else as it is to you.
10. Bring in those n00bs...without being "that" marathoner. As I've overstated, runners run for a variety of reasons. People of all ages are trying out their first 5k. Share your joy and your tips. Just don't inundate them.
11. Don't cheat. I guess this goes along with "don't lie." But really, do you really feel good about yourself when you cut the course? Especially when you might only get a medal. I remember at the 2016 Detroit Turkey Trot Andy and I watched a woman just randomly decide to turn around early ( maybe 1/4 mile before the turnaround). I highly doubt she got a medal. I finished around 500th place overall. She might have moved up up 200th by cutting the course. I hope she's really proud. The backlash against Liza Hunter-Galvan in San Antonio has been crazy. It's just not worth it.
I had to take some time off to finish a college class (just one more!) but I should be back in the rhythm of posting for at least a little while. I'm re-working the San Angelo rankings and will at least have the 5K rankings updated after I get the Bunny Run results. And, as soon as I have those, they'll be up on the SARL page. Glad to be back writing for fun!
Mike McClellan's awesome drone video from the Shannon Trail Series race #3.
No, this post isn't about dispensing sage advice on running a faster 5k. I'm not the expert on that really. This post, which is a collection of thoughts I've had for the past few years, could be summed up quite easily "don't be a jerk face." The rules I have in this post are about making running more enjoyable for you and everyone around you.
1. Don't disparage slower runners. Does it really matter if you're faster than someone else? Does it make you a better person than them? This is something I have seen mostly with "local elites." (To be honest, way more in San Antonio and in the military than in San Angelo) These are those people that might be able to run an 18 minute 5k and get mad at slower runners for sharing the road or trail. They're those people you see who scoff at someone else's accomplishments. 99.99% of runners aren't out there running for a paycheck. We all have our reasons to be putting one foot in front of another. A person's pace or goal is not an appraisal of their character.
 |
| Crazy Desert medals |
2. Don't corral jump. That being said, if you're a slower runner, own it. The streets don't get any wider whether 25 people or 25,000 people are running on them. There have been more than a couple big city races where I spend the first few miles going curb to curb trying to get around large groups of walkers. As I run past, I notice that they snuck into corrals way higher than their assigned corral. In a chip timed race, your time isn't getting any better by starting sooner. You're just clogging up the route for people that should have started in front of you. Again, this is not saying that these people should not be on the course. Just that there is a reason that Rock n Roll San Antonio has 26 time-ordered corrals. If your goal is walking a 4 hour 1/2 marathon, that's great. Please start where you're supposed to so that you're not forcing those people trying to run a BQ time to zigzag all over the course.
3. Don't lie about your times. This one has always surprised and confused me. In today's digital world, nearly all race results are posted online. What is the point in telling someone that you're faster than you actually are? It doesn't make me like you any more than if you're 2 minutes slower. The funny ones are the people that lie about their college track times. ahhh well
4. Don't take yourself too seriously. As I wrote earlier, 99.99% of runners are not doing this for a paycheck. We actually pay to participate in races, a fact that gets made fun of by non-runners. There is no reason to take yourself too seriously. Just a few months ago I was running in the Shannon Pink Ribbon Run. In the early part of the race, I passed a guy that was probably in my age group. Nothing odd about it, I was maintaining my pace and we were on a wide road. Within a few seconds, he sprinted INTO me then passed. Apparently, he didn't appreciate being passed. It didn't work out too well for him because he wasted too much energy on the sprint and I passed him for good, but... really? I mean, I didn't pass him for first place. Even if I had, it's not like the winner gets money or fame. Why take it so seriously?
 |
| Before the Bunny Run from across the river. (Photo Credit: Jammie Preiser) |
5. Enjoy the easy runs. OK, maybe this one is a little "coachy." Too many times runners go hard every run. For non-runners it can push them away from the sport/activity because they only have hard runs are the only type of run that comes to mind. Take it easy. Most of your miles should be at a comfortable, conversational pace. Talk to a friend, take in the scenery, or think through life's problems. Mucho take it easy.
 |
| Take 1 |
6. If you're going to be a training partner, be a consistent one. Not many things annoy me more than waking up extra early to accommodate someone else's optimal run time only to find out last second that they're not going to make it. Really grinds my gears.
 |
| Take 2 |
7. Give yourself permission to have bad runs. They happen to everyone! I guess this goes hand in hand with don't take yourself too seriously. Sometimes there's not even a great explanation. You can expect a bad run the morning after salsa dancing and 2 am tacos and beers. But after eating healthy and going to bed early? Sometimes it just happens. And it's OK. Maybe turn it into an easy run and just enjoy it.
8. There ARE runners that aren't great people and there are great people who aren't runners. Run through any marathon that goes into residential areas and you are bound to see motivational posters telling you how awesome/amazing you are. I mean... maybe. I have written different posts about life lessons that I have learned through running. Has it made me a better person? possibly. However, it is not the only way to learn those lessons. You will also see runners, even elites, that are complete jerk faces. The lessons that they have learned while running haven't been put into place for their lives. A non-running example is Jon Jones, perhaps the greatest MMA fighter of all time. He just can't transfer that discipline and hard work into his daily life. Running fast, even running for a long time, doesn't equate to someone being an amazing person.
 |
| Yay, age group win! |
9. Don't be "that" marathoner. The League actually did a hilarious episode on this phenomenon. Marathoners that won't shut the heck up about their marathon. I'm sure I'm guilty of this as well. We know you're excited. And, if you're doing a distance race, you've invested plenty of time and effort into it. Just remember that it's not as important to everyone else as it is to you.
 |
| Add caption |
10. Bring in those n00bs...without being "that" marathoner. As I've overstated, runners run for a variety of reasons. People of all ages are trying out their first 5k. Share your joy and your tips. Just don't inundate them.
11. Don't cheat. I guess this goes along with "don't lie." But really, do you really feel good about yourself when you cut the course? Especially when you might only get a medal. I remember at the 2016 Detroit Turkey Trot Andy and I watched a woman just randomly decide to turn around early ( maybe 1/4 mile before the turnaround). I highly doubt she got a medal. I finished around 500th place overall. She might have moved up up 200th by cutting the course. I hope she's really proud. The backlash against Liza Hunter-Galvan in San Antonio has been crazy. It's just not worth it.
I had to take some time off to finish a college class (just one more!) but I should be back in the rhythm of posting for at least a little while. I'm re-working the San Angelo rankings and will at least have the 5K rankings updated after I get the Bunny Run results. And, as soon as I have those, they'll be up on the SARL page. Glad to be back writing for fun!
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