An American runner named Kip Litton apparently can’t get enough of cheating in marathons.
He was caught by multiple people and kept on cheating. An awesome story, I wish I knew how he did it.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/08/06/120806fa_fact_singer
Dear Vancouver Sun Run,
I am writing with the hope that race organizers will take action on a course condition that is becoming increasingly dangerous during the Sun Run. I am referring to the large groups of walkers that skip the race order and start their excursion ahead of the tens of thousands of people who participate as runners.
During today’s race the green group (50 to 60 min pace) had to dodge large groups of registered walkers wearing white and purple bibs throughout the first 5km of the race. With big crowds and limited visibility when one person swerves to dodge a group of walkers it puts everyone running around them at risk. With 50 thousand runners these early walkers are a real hazard on the course and they should be treated as such.
In addition to being dangerous, these groups slow the pace down which is unfair. If a participant trained to run fast and is registered in the right race group, they shouldn’t be forced to contend with walkers who simply choose to ignore the order of the event.
As a long time race participant I have seen this condition become increasingly pervasive and today was by far the worst in my 15 years of Vancouver Sun Runs.
So I have two suggestions:
In closing, I want to make it clear that I don’t want to belittle the participation of walkers. It is wonderful to see people getting out and enjoying our city on foot. However the race is set up with stages and groups for a reason. If people are ignoring the rules, the rules need to be enforced.
Thanks in advance for considering my recommendations. I look forward to a safer course next year.
Best regards,
Chris Witney
Richmond BC
“It is the perfect distance” – That is what the woman at the race packet pick up counter said.
“It is just a much more pleasant experience” – That is what the race veteran said in line at Starbucks
“You can really race, which is nice” – That is what the young guy said to his buddy as they headed for the start.
“It’s only half way” – Is what I was thinking.
Up until last Sunday I always considered the Half Marathon as incomplete. After running Vancouver’s “First Half” I realize the distance’s branding is unfair. The word “half” devalues the challenge. Completing “half” of something is a cop out – running 21.1 KM is not a cop out.
I signed up for the race on a whim, thinking that I would use it as one of my long runs in training for a full marathon. Then something unusual happened, I started cross training for an hour a day instead of running. I wasn’t worried about the Half Marathon, after all, it was only half way – and so I decided I just had to stay in shape.
With a mix of random P90X workouts and Steve Nash Club boot camp classes I got hooked on a mix of daily strength and high intensity cardio workouts. I proboably should have been running, but I wasn’t. In the three months before the race I didn’t run anything but very short treadmill sessions and the odd 8 KM jog with my dog. I was still getting into good shape and training or no training, I was experienced enough to pull a 21 KM run out of the bag.
With two weeks left before the race I decided to go out for a long run and so I ran 16KM. In the first 8Km I was plagued with shin splint pain, which isn’t unusual for me but the second half was strong, which is unusual – I felt better running at a race pace than I had in a long time. When I got home I wasn’t burnt out and I wasn’t sore the next day.
In the first 10 KM of the actual race I felt so good I realized I could set a personal best (PB) and I was right; 21.1KM in 1:56.16. This is 6 minutes faster than the first half of my 2005 marathon – I logged well over 1200KM of running to train for that race and let me tell you, it sucked. Yesterday I had one of the most enjoyable races in memory and I logged less than 150KM of running.
Stepping down the distance and focusing on a well rounded and holistic training program (P90X workouts are great) has been a game changer for me. I’m still considering (and dreading) running my 7th full marathon, but for now, less is more.
Half way really is the perfect distance.
This was my buddy Michele's first race (ever). She set the pace and I tried to keep up. Way to go MG!
CW
http://runkeeper.com/user/cwitney/activity/70541686
http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/best_sellers/p90x.do
My 2012 resolutions are all about changing wasteful habits.
The first habit I will change is my tendency to drink coffee from single-use cups.
For the past 6 months I noticed my Starbucks habit has caused me a little bit of nagging guilt. One cup, one lid and one sleeve – for one drink. Each time I go to recycle or trash the cup I think, “This is crazy. There is better technology”. It is not that hard to carry a stainless steel coffee cup to Starbucks- so I’m going to change.
The second habit I will to change is buying bottled water.
I am totally against buying bottled water, and yet I do it all the time. This resolution is less about the single-use container and more about the fact that I have access to very clean, high quality, and fresh tasting water every where I go. Paying $2 for a bottle of Dasani when water of equal or better quality comes from the tap is crazy, there is better technology. Bottled water is a massive scam designed by brilliant marketers and we shouldn’t be fooled – so I’m going to change.
“No need to boil, filter, or treat in any way, our water is as good as it gets.” – Metro Vancouver Water Authority
Last but not least, my third and final resolution is to turn off lights when no one is in the room. This is a no brainer and all it takes is just a little bit of diligence. Currently I fail at this all the time and I think wasting energy is so stupid – so I’m going to change.
There you go – 3 super easy things I will change in 2012. Feel free to join me.
Happy New Year!
CW
More on Water:
http://www.metrovancouver.org/region/tapwater/Pages/default.aspx
For the past three weeks I have been experimenting with the Paleo Diet and so far so good. I haven’t been perfect, I’ve had a few beer, but there has been a major change what I have been eating.
What compelled me to the Paleo diet was the notion of cutting my intake of processed sugars. I was fairly aware that sugars were hidden in the majority of packaged foods but it wasn’t until I really tried to avoid sugar that I realized just how common it is.
I recommend trying this diet for a week. You’ll be amazed at how much of the food in the grocery store is dependant on bankrupt carbs, processed ingredients and refined sugars. When you start the diet the hardest part isn’t changing what you eat, its finding unprocessed food to eat. It’s a little scary that finding “simple food” is hard to do.
As for the “diet” part, after three weeks I have lost 6 pounds. To compare, last year when I was training for the Vancouver Marathon I logged 30+ miles of running a week for 5 months and after 5oo miles and I only lost 4 pounds.
For more info on Paleo Diet…
http://www.fitbomb.com/p/why-i-eat-paleo.html
Interesting articles on sugar in our food…
http://www.dsolve.com/news-aamp-info-othermenu-60/1-latest/80-news
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56589
Feeling unhappy after running a less than satisfactory marathon? Get over it.
The mental damage that comes from holding on to a bad race can be harder to recover from than shin splints, stress fractures or the dreaded IT band syndrome.
Pissed off at the Finish
After months of rigorous preparation a bad race performance becomes hard to forgive. But it’s important to remember that running a marathon is a MONSTER of a challenge. Don’t be disappointed in yourself. And before you link poor performance to the quality or quantity of your training, recognize that runners at every level of the sport have bad race days. Why? Because training for and running 42.2 KM is really HARD.
Did the race organizers screw up and totally ruin your run to glory? Races are tough to manage and sometimes things go terribly wrong. When this happens, craft a letter to the event team. It is important they get the feedback and you get a formal apology. Also, take the time to share your experience online as event reviews help other runners make better decisions. If a race appears to have a repeatedly bad reputation, don’t register.
Did God decide to rain on your parade? I know the feeling. I ran in 2007’s Honolulu Marathon and a brutal tropical rain storm made it a horrid event. My only regret is that I actually ran the whole race. If the weather is something you’re not ready for, don’t run. If you did run, and the race sucked, blame God.
Regardless of your circumstance, three days is the longest you should spend bemoaning an unpleasant race experience. But for three days you are entitled to complain about whatever you want. It can be the weather, the race organizers, the crowds or the irrevocable failure to achieve your goal time. More than three days of negative reflection and you’re risking mental injury. Bitch and complain till your heart’s content, but get it all out and do it quickly.
Tips for moving on.
CW
Everything you need to run a Marathon
Vancouver’s Sun Run is a big deal. Every spring 50,000 people race, run, jog, walk and waddle through one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is a remarkable event, one that has persuaded thousands of people, including me, to take up the sport of running.
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, PNG http://www.vancouversun.com
For runners who want to race, it is pretty well known that this isn’t a good contest for setting a personal record.
The 10 KM route isn’t really a tough track, but the course is full of obstacles. When I say obstacles I am referring to people who don’t always practice courteous race ediquette and for runners who are trying to compete, a few bad apples can really spoil the race.
With yesterday’s Sun Run fresh in my mind I would like to take a moment to address some of the worst offenders.
For 13 years I have been running the Sun Run and in that time I am sure I have pissed a few people off – we all know nobody’s perfect. With that said, I believe race organizers have an opportunity and an obligation to do a better job of communicating and policing basic race etiquette.
After my experience yesterday I would say there is lots of room for improvement.
CW
http://www.runaddicts.net/start-to-run/dont-be-an-idiot-running-etiquette-general-tips
http://running.about.com/od/runningforbeginners/tp/etiquettetips.htm
When I first started running I didn’t pay attention to running shoe design. Like most people, I selected running shoes by price, look and fit. I had read about shoes that were designed to support the mechanics of pronation, supination and foot strike but I wasn’t a believer.
In the spring of 2001, after three years of running in the wrong shoes, I decided I would visit a specialty running shop and invest in my feet. It took an hour of working with a knowledgeable sales person to find the right shoes and I have been wearing the same model for ten years.
My collection of New Balance 760s
If you’re a runner and you haven’t been to a specialty store for an assessment of your running style, I highly recommend it. Finding the right shoe reduced my foot pain, changed the way I run and opened he door for me to be successful as a recreational marathon runner.
Key Points:
Links:
http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/pronation-supination.php
http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/replaceshoes.htm
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