Answers to Your Running Questions

by Steve Runner

• Running fashion - "What place do you think fashion has in being a runner? Does the impression given by your clothes affect the impression people have of you as a runner? Can you increase your perceived skill level by being in style? What if you have all the latest running clothes and gear and then are a really bad runner, isn't that kind of embarrassing?"
• Nose blowing etiquette - "What is the proper etiquette about running and having another runner blow their nose on you? When it hits you do you have the right to get mad, or do you accept it as part of participating in the sport?"
• Racing in America - "I have run in places all around the world, and it seems as if the least pleasurable place to participate in an organized race is here in my homeland America. Though I know all cities and states are different, but where I live all the organized races cost at least 20 dollars because it is a race for charity, and they make such a big deal about signing up in advance, that at some races you cannot even participate. I compare this to other local races I have participated in other countries and remember how nice it was to wake up that day and decide to run a race, pay only 5 dollars for the entry fee, and enjoy a run with other people without the overpowering presence of advertisers, organizers, and sense of business rather than sport. Do you think that America has taken the fun out of running a race, or am I just one of the few, and the American runner feels at home in this atmosphere? Do you think that those like me can every find simpler days here in America?"
• Running diets - "I'm a new runner who began running only a few weeks ago with the hope of losing a few pounds. I've read a lot about some of the new "fad" diets that people are following, and was wondering which of these you'd consider to be the best." - Losing Weight and Feeling Great
• Prisoner in my own office - I am a prisoner in my own office. I enjoy an afternoon run during my lunch hour, but recently a colleague has invited himself along with me. I do not enjoy run with him because he slows down my pace and likes to talk about office gossip. How do I get rid of him? I can't hide going for a run because it is obvious: I go every day. To make things worse, he is my supervisor. - Fast Paced Underling
• The best way to pin on a racing number - I've been running now for the past few years, and run a 5k or 10k road race every couple of months. I've always wondered what is the best way to pin on a racing number, and where the best place to pin it to is. - Feel Like a Number
• Good old shoes - I find it impossible to dispose of my old running shoes. Each pair carries so many good memories for me: my first marathon, my favorite 10k, the pair I trained with when I met my husband. I know that there are some companies who weave quilts and banners out of old race T-shirts, is there a way that I can memorialize my old running shoes in the same way? - Seeking Sneaker Shrine
• Teach by demonstration & learn from example - I can not stand runners that trash the roads they run on. Any suggestion on how to react? How to deal with them? What to say? (What about those sticky gels runners use while running for example? Can they make the packets itself sticky so runners can not toss them after they're done?)
• Blistering heat waves and frigid ice storms - I'm not a runner, but I often see runners in my town out there in the worst of weather conditions. Last weekend I saw a guy running down our Main Street during a blizzard! What's the deal with these people? Why do they force themselves to run during blistering heat waves and frigid ice storms? - Missing Something Here
• Why runners feel the need to run marathons? - Why is it that some runners feel the need to run marathons? What's wrong with shorter races like 5k and 10k's? Every year I see videos of exhausted, dehydrated and weakened marathoners crossing the finish line in Boston and I have to wonder, "Why do they do this to themselves?". Can such torture be considered fun? - Short Distance Runner
• How can I improve my speed while at the same time observing the posted speed limit? - I'm training to run a 45-minute 10k but I'm finding it difficult to improve my speed while following the "rules of the road". I'm hydrating properly, I'm incorporating interval training once a week, and I'm running fartleks within my daily runs, but as the posted speed limit through a portion of my favorite running route is only 5 miles per hour, I'm having to hold back! How can I improve my speed while at the same time observing the posted speed limit? - Law Abiding Runner
• Can you recommend any greater challenge than the circumnavigation of the planet? - I really enjoy the Run The Planet website with all its features and information. One of my favorite sections is the "Rtp Missions" section that gives runners a "purpose" for their running. Of those listed, my favorite is the "Mission 1: Around the Whole World" where runners are challenged to "run for a total of 24,881 miles", the circumference of the planet Earth. Can you recommend any greater challenge to this distance runner than the successful accumulation of miles equivalent to the circumnavigation of the planet? - Looking for a Challenge
• How can I improve my time without giving up the joy of running with my dog? - I love to run, and I love my dog, Spike. More than that, I love to run with my dog Spike and have trained along side him for seven marathons over the years. As Spike has gotten older, his less than controllable urges to relieve himself have forced me to stop during a run with increased frequency, to clean up after him. These unscheduled breaks have induced some lengthy delays during timed road races. How can I improve my 5k PR without giving up the joy of running with Spike? - Pooped Pooper Scooper
• Is there a good tasting energy bar somewhere? - I have tried every so-called "energy bar" nutritional supplement on the market, and find them all to be distasteful, too crunchy or excessively mushy. They lack any energy giving powers for my runs. If you were to create the ultimate energy bar, which ingredients would you choose and why? - Energy Bar Blue
• I am attracted to a runner: how can I break the ice? - I am a single female runner who is very attracted to a guy in my running club. I have introduced myself, and we have run together a few times, but whenever I try to suggest that we go out on a date the topic turns to speed, cramps, fartleks and improving his personal best! How can I break the ice and make him understand how I feel about him? - Sprinting for Love
• Is intense fear common among runners? - I suffer from a chronic case of "Pre-race jitters". I'm fine in the days leading up to a race, but when I stand at the starting line and the official shouts "Runners take your mark!" I begin to feel lightheaded; my palms begin to sweat and my heart rate triples. On several occasions, when the starting gun was fired, I found it impossible to even move. The stress is so great, that I feel as if I might pass out! Is this intense fear common among runners? - Fighting The Fear Factor
• How can a heart rate monitor help me run better? - A fellow runner recently suggested that I purchase one of those fancy heart rate monitor wrist watches, to help me train for a Spring marathon. How can such a gadget help me run better, faster and stronger? - Bah-Bumping in San Fran
• Any suggestion on what to do while waiting for the porta-potty? - When I wait in line to use the porta-potty before a race, I am usually embarrassed or bored. I wish I had something to do to keep me busy. Do you have any suggestion? - Waiting in line
• Why some runners participate wearing silly costumes? - While running my last marathon I noticed several runners wearing really silly costumes. During last year's "London Marathon", someone actually ran the entire course wearing a heavy deep-sea diving suit! What's with these people? - Dressed for Speed
• Do runners have more affairs than non-runners? - I have a question I rarely see asked. My wife is a runner and is running Boston soon. However, I fear she is cheating on me with another runner. I think she only runs to look good for her "friend". I guess my question is, do runners have more affairs than non-runners? - Fidelity in Question
• Could you recommend any good pick up line? - As a single male runner, I am fortunate to meet many single female runners at road races, running expos and out and about town during my daily runs. Could you recommend any good "pick up lines" that I might be able to use with these women? - Looking for a line
• Where is my finisher's medal? - I have been trying to contact the race organizers of a local half marathon, regarding the fact that they do not award finishers with a medal, as they do in other distance races. How can I convince them to include this amenity? - Tom in Chicago
• When I run, I get the runs! Is there a solution? - When I run, I get the runs! Yesterday, during a ten-miler, I had to stop twice to relieve myself even though I had a bowel movement prior to leaving home. This is becoming a serious concern, as it seems to affect all my runs. Have you ever heard of this problem? Is there a solution that does not involve medication? - Seeking Movement Improvement
• Could you recommend the Perfect Runner's Automobile? - I'm a serious competitive runner who runs a race most every Sunday. I'm in the market to purchase a new automobile, and was hoping you could recommend some of the auto-attributes I should consider when purchasing my next car. What would make my car the "Perfect Runner's Automobile"? - Running on Overdrive
• What are the best drinks for distance runners? - For years now, I have used the typical lime green sports drink to hydrate myself during long runs. Some of these drinks are colorful and excessively sweet, others are bland and far too salty. What are the best drinks for distance runner fluid replacement? - Fueling for distance
• How important having a running strategy really is? - Now that the Fall marathon season is coming to an end, I am hearing a lot about race strategies. Some of this talk is from elite runners who talk about "drafting" and the strategic advantages of "negative splits", but I am wondering how important having a strategy really is when it comes to racing? Isn't the only useful strategy to run faster than everyone else? - Strategic Overload
• At what point can I consider myself a true runner? - I have only been running for a short time, a few miles every other day. I enjoy my time on the road, and am looking forward to my first 5 kilometers road race in a few weeks. To date, I don't feel much like a "runner", rather I feel like a novice in this sport, or perhaps merely a casual jogger. At what point can I consider myself a true "runner"? - Jog-ner or Run-ger?
• What are the new techno-gadgets for runners? - Every year a set of new technologies and technological gadgets go to market with the promise of helping runners perform better and limit running related injuries. Some of these new technologies seem like good ideas, but many of them become outdated quickly and fade away. What new products have come out that I may not have seen? - Techless in Techtown
• Am I traveling back in time when I run? - A physics professor once told me that Einstein's theory of special relativity proved that traveling back in time is possible, and occurs when a person is in motion. If this is true, am I actually traveling back in time when I run? Would that make my running shoes a primitive sort of time machine? - Running out of Space-Time
• Am I penalized for being left-footed? - It seems to me that during my last road race the runners who beat me to the finish all pushed off on their right foot. I'm left-footed and feel that I'm being penalized! Does the International Federation recognize right- and left-handed divisions for athletes as they do age, gender and weight groups? Do any of the major race organizations have policies to ensure equality between right- and left-handed runners? - Lefty the Southpaw
• Why is it that I run faster on my treadmill than I do when I run outside? - Why is it that I run faster on my treadmill than I do when I run outside? I thought this was due to the flat and even surface of the treadmill track, but my treadmill has features which change the tension, speed and incline of the track. I run much slower at the local high school track than I do on my treadmill. Why is this? - Running in Circles
• How many calories are burned while running in a dream? - Last night I dreamt that I participated in a trail race. I was running on a very tough and steep trail. It was such a long and demanding event that I woke up drenched in a pool of sweat! I'd like to consider this dream as a cross training session and want to add it as an entry in my running log. How many calories are burned while running in a dream? - Dream Weaver
• How can I get over my pride while racing? - I wish I could be less proud. Every time a woman or an old man runs by me, I feel the urge to speed up, catch them and pass them again. Of course, I am not trained enough to be able to afford sprinting. How can I get over it? - Running with Dignity
• What can I do to keep my running shoes from being smelly? - I sweat a lot when I run, especially during the hot and humid days of summer, and as a result my running shoes tend to smell terribly! I have tried powders and deodorizing sprays in an attempt to mask or eliminate smell, but they don't seem to work. What can I do to keep my running shoes from being smelly? - Stinky Feet
• How harmful is it to swallow a bug while running? - Every so often, especially during the Spring or late Summer, while running outside I will accidentally swallow a flying bug! This happens when the insect swarms around my head and I inhale it! Is there anything I can do to avoid this from happening and how harmful is it to swallow a bug? - Bug Biter
• Are there studies on road race cheering? - I have been running road races for several years now, and I have noticed that the quality and enthusiasm of the cheering crowds change from mile to mile. Have any social studies been conducted to explore the phenomenon of road race cheering, and what advice would you give to a crowd of race spectators situated at various locations along the race course? - Cheerleading Cherub
• Why do we need to replace our shoes so often? - Even with all the new technology and research in running shoes, why do the experts still recommend that we replace our shoes every five hundred miles? It seems to me that as the price of shoes increase, their life span should increase as well - Everlasting Shoes
• Is there a rubbing cream designed to relieve foot pain? - This has been bugging me for awhile since I am a long-time runner as well as a waitress. What nice pain-relieving rubbing cream is specifically designed to relieve foot pain? I just want to rub it in the night before and wake up, get out of bed, step on my feet, and not feel any pain. Any suggestions? - Victoria Drake
• Can you recommend music to listen while training? - I received one of those new-fangled digital audio players as a gift, over the holidays, and have been listening to some of my favorite songs while running each day. I have noticed that some songs seem to empower me to run faster. Can you recommend a short list of inspirational running music that would be good to listen to while I am training for my marathon? - Musically Endeared
• What should I look for in a "racing watch"? - What should I look for in a "racing watch"? I see so many runners, at road races, with high-tech, slick looking wrist watches, and am interested in purchasing one. What are the benefits of running with a time-piece? - Timely Questioner
• What is the proper way to hydrate? - When I run half and full marathons, I get so dehydrated that I run out of energy near the end, and my leg muscles cramp up. I have tried drinking sports drinks and all of the recommended fluids to prevent dehydration, but I just can't seem to overcome the problem. What is the proper way to hydrate before and during a long run? - Dripping Dry
• Should I avoid city running all together? - I run five miles every day through the streets of a major metropolitan city. I find that much of my time is spent dodging automobile traffic, and waiting for the lights to change. How can I remain safe from an accident, while at the same time maintaining my running pace and good form? Should I avoid city running all together? - Downtown Trodder
• Should I have someone look at the way I run? - I have been running for a few months now, and my daily and weekly mileage has increased to around five a day, thirty per week. As my distance has increased I have begun feeling pain across areas of my lower legs. Someone told me I should have a "gait analysis" done to see if my feet "run funny". What is the point of having someone look at the way I run? How will that help ease my pain? - Funny Feet
• Should I increase my blood volume before a race? - I understand that when we sweat, our blood volume decreases and less blood returns to our hearts to be re-oxygenated to fuel our muscles. I've read several articles about "blood doping" where elite athletes inject blood into their bodies before a race. Is this something that an average runner, like myself, who only wants to improve performance might consider? I don't expect to win any races, and wouldn't want to "cheat", but what harm could I do by increasing my blood volume before a race? - Dopey
• How can I be noticeable while running in the dark? - With the days getting shorter up here in the northern hemisphere, I am forced to run at night. I live near a major city, and am concerned that automobile drivers won't be able to see me that well. What can I do to make my presence on the road more noticeable, for safety's sake, while I am running outside in the dark? - Night Runner
• How can I run a marathon to impress my new girlfriend? - I have only been running for a couple of months, but the girl I have been dating has asked me to run a marathon with her in two weeks. I have never run more than five miles and would appreciate your advice on how to best train for this race. I am not looking to win or anything crazy like that, but I do want to impress my new girlfriend. - Shorty Notice
• What is it about the marathon that is so special? - Lately I have been thinking about training for and running a marathon. When I have mentioned it to my friends, I find that they are pretty impressed that I am even considering it. What is it about the marathon that is so special? Why are so many people awed by the thought that I might run such a road race? What is this mystique all about? - International Marathoner of Mystery
• When can I start running again? - I just ran my first marathon and I am completely exhausted. The race was five days ago, and my muscles still ache, and I find myself completely void of any energy. Is this normal? When can I start running again? - Feeling run-down
• Should I include the time to drink in my pace? - This might be a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway. When I am out on a 10 mile or more training run, and I am trying to keep a 9:40 to 10 minute per mile pace, should I include the time used during my water and gel stops in that pace? I have estimated that it takes me about 30 to 60 seconds to drink water and consume the gel. Since I will be doing the same thing during my marathon, should I include that I am drinking and eating during the race as part of my pace, or am I just over-analyzing? - Tolling my Time

Credits:

Run The Planet thanks Steve Walker for his thoughtful insights on running.