Beginners and Beyond

What major running goals have you reached (and what is still out there)? (Read 188 times)

Awood_Runner


Smaller By The Day

    A race is a contest to see who gets from point A to point B first and fastest. It doesn't matter whether it is 2.9 miles or 3.2 miles or 4.7 miles. Precisely measured, standardized courses are fine if you want to compare times, but that's not the essence of racing. Having a goal to run a certain time is not the same as having a goal to beat a specific individual or win a race. They each require some common attributes, but there is only a certain amount of overlap; there are distinct differences in approach and what it takes to meet each goal. Too often we lose sight of that because we're lost in the crowds and/or see our competition only as those in our AG.

     

    I haven't run a lot of races, but one of my favorites had 50 medals at the finish line.  They handed them out to the first 50 people to cross the finish line.  I have mine, and it says 30th.  I like it because it felt more like the "racing" you did as a kid on the playground.  It's sort of, "Last one there's a rotten egg", or racing to see who gets to ride in the front seat.

    Improvements

    Weight 100 pounds lost

    5K 31:02 Sept. 2012 / 23:36 Sept. 2013 (Same Course)

    10K 48:59 April 2013

    HM 2:03:56 Nov. 2012 / 1:46:50 March 2013

    MARATHON 3:57:33 Nov. 2013

    LRB


      I guess it depends on where you are.  Here, almost all of the races are chip timed.  There are several race management services that handle this for a fee.  Even first time races have it.

       

      Actually, you rarely even see the tag that needs to be zip tied to your shoelace anymore, or the thinner one that affixes to your shoe lace on its own.  Most chips here are on the bib.

       

      In my short time running, I have been in one event had pull tag timing, and there were about 18 runners.  Hardly enough to justify hiring a race management service.  Every other race I have been in  11 5k's, 5 10k's, 2 half marathons and 2 marathons, have all been timed electronically.

       

      In Greg's case, he can have those standards for the events he runs because his area supports them.  If you are old school though, chip timing may be of less importance to you, and in some cases an annoyance.


      No more marathons

         

        If you lived in my area, you'd either race very infrequently or drive 3-4 hours frequently if those were your standards.  I also find it fairly offensive that you would dismiss the race set up efforts of folks who have been setting up races for as long as you have been alive and I'm not exaggerating about how long these folks have been organizing races.  But, why don't you tell them something like, "I've been running for 3 years and you should listen to me about how to conduct a race."

         

        I'll always grant kudo's to the hard work of race orgnizers and volunteers.  I've done it in my youth and I know the amount of work involved.  But you're not saying it's OK for an RD to have an incorrectly advertised race distance are you?  I mean, if it's "about 5K" then say so, but to list a race as one distance and then not attempt to make sure that it is that difference is just sloppy.  I don't care how a race is timed, or even if it is officially timed at all (I have my own watch), but the distance should always be as advertised.

        Boston 2014 - a 33 year journey

        Lordy,  I hope there are tapes. 

        He's a leaker!

        happylily


           

          I'll always grant kudo's to the hard work of race orgnizers and volunteers.  I've done it in my youth and I know the amount of work involved.  But you're not saying it's OK for an RD to have an incorrectly advertised race distance are you?  I mean, if it's "about 5K" then say so, but to list a race as one distance and then not attempt to make sure that it is that difference is just sloppy.  I don't care how a race is timed, or even if it is officially timed at all (I have my own watch), but the distance should always be as advertised.

           

          I agree with George, but I also understand Greg 100%. What bluesky says is what I really feel regarding the subject. Sometimes, knowing in advance that what is called a 5k, but actually is a shorter or longer course, could mean that we race it differently. It's important to know it in advance.

          PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013

                  Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013

          18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010

          LRB


             I agree with George, but I also understand Greg 100%. What bluesky says is what I really feel regarding the subject...

            You would make one helluva diplomat in the United Nations!

            happylily


              You would make one helluva diplomat in the United Nations!

               

              Big grin

               

              What can I say... I like them both!  :-)

               

              EDIT: just realized there are three of them... And I might as well include you. So let me say this again: I like the four of you! Big grin

              PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013

                      Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013

              18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010

              MJ5


              Chief Unicorn Officer

                 

                I agree with George, but I also understand Greg 100%. What bluesky says is what I really feel regarding the subject. Sometimes, knowing in advance that what is called a 5k, but actually is a shorter or longer course, could mean that we race it differently. It's important to know it in advance.

                 

                I agree, but I think what got a few of us a little riled up is the fact that he said if it's not chip timed, it's not worth running.

                Mile 5:49 - 5K 19:58 - 10K 43:06 - HM 1:36:54

                LRB


                   I agree, but I think what got a few of us a little riled up is the fact that he said if it's not chip timed, it's not worth running.

                  For him it may not be, but keep in mind he is from a different generation of running.

                   

                  I like Awoods race where the medals are numbered.  That is a really cool idea.

                  Hipfan


                  Proud Calgarian

                    It's ok to fire back on me, I only mean about me and my feelings on racing but I guess things could have been misconstrued. Whatever the case, that's always the fun of typing, there's not different types of fonts for your mood or level of seriousness.

                     

                    As for me, I'll probably run 8-10 races and volunteering in 5-6 races this year and all will be chip-timed and certified distances - it works for me.

                     

                     

                    I agree, but I think what got a few of us a little riled up is the fact that he said if it's not chip timed, it's not worth running.

                    2015 Goals and PRs:

                    5k - 17:59 (18:05);  10k - 35:59 (36:42);   HM - 1:19:19 (1:19:59);   FM - 2:49:59 (3:05:46)

                    DanFuller


                    5K Specialist

                      I can't stand placement by chip time instead of gun time. If I out kick you at the end off a race, then I beat you. I don't care if you crossed the starting line five seconds after me.

                      Personal Bests:

                      800M - 2:38 (5/28/13) | 1 Mile -5:54 (5/28/13) | 3K - 11:55 (12/29/12) | 2M - 13:00 (12/1/12) | 5K - 20:00 (4/12/13) | 13.1M - 1:37:24 (2/3/13)


                      No more marathons

                        I can't stand placement by chip time instead of gun time. If I out kick you at the end off a race, then I beat you. I don't care if you crossed the starting line five seconds after me.

                         

                        And so it becomes even more important for the RD to communicate effectively what their race is, and what it is not.  If the information is there then you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want to participate.  I recently competed in a race that clearly stated that awards would be based on age graded time.  The first place - absolute time - female finisher (a young lady in her 20's) seemed a bit confused when the overall female award went to a lady in her 60's.  [On a side note, I was ninth overall but took second after age grading - how cool was that Big grin.]

                        Boston 2014 - a 33 year journey

                        Lordy,  I hope there are tapes. 

                        He's a leaker!

                          I can't stand placement by chip time instead of gun time. If I out kick you at the end off a race, then I beat you. I don't care if you crossed the starting line five seconds after me.

                           

                          i totally agree with this. I would be pissed if I beat someone at the end and they got an award over me because they started later.

                           

                          As far as awards go, I generally get a finishers award or get some door prize. my first race I got a door prize of a small t-shirt from a women's gym. It was funny considering I am a dude who was about 290lbs wearing a XXXL shirt.

                          ”Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

                          “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

                           

                          Tomas

                          wcrunner2


                          Are we there, yet?

                            I can't stand placement by chip time instead of gun time. If I out kick you at the end off a race, then I beat you. I don't care if you crossed the starting line five seconds after me.

                             

                            You should read or at least browse the thread over in Running 101 on ChipTime vs Gun Time.

                             2024 Races:

                                  03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles

                                  05/11 - D3 50K
                                  05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour

                                  06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.

                             

                             

                                 

                            DanFuller


                            5K Specialist

                              Most of my races are 150-300 people. If you can run a sub-21 5k, then you should be on the front line because you are crossing in the top 10.

                               

                              I've worked hard  to be able to kick the final .2 at a 5:30 pace. I haven't been out kicked at the end of a race in a long time. As long as the awards state "chip time" I am OK with it though.

                               

                               

                              You should read or at least browse the thread over in Running 101 on ChipTime vs Gun Time.

                              Personal Bests:

                              800M - 2:38 (5/28/13) | 1 Mile -5:54 (5/28/13) | 3K - 11:55 (12/29/12) | 2M - 13:00 (12/1/12) | 5K - 20:00 (4/12/13) | 13.1M - 1:37:24 (2/3/13)

                              MrNamtor


                                speaking of competing against others rather than competing for a time, the urbanathlon i was in had a lot of people waiting for buses and a few people throwing up on the sidelines. Seeing that gave me a good feeling. Hope i don't sound like a terrible person.