Adare 10k Should I start with the Walkers or the Runners?

Bally8

Hi guys

I have been plagued with im ITB since last November but am slowly on the road to recovery. Im now using the rowing machine when I get a chance and walking a lot. 3 weeks ago I slowly started introducing some jogging into my walks. I now walk for 4 minutes and usually run for 1 to 2 minutes for about 50 minutes.

Im going to do the Adare 10k this sunday and although it was my intention to run it, that is clearly not an option for me now. So what do I do? I might walk the whole thing as Im doing it with friends but what if I feel like jogging every now and then. Is that cheating? If I wait to start with the runners and I end up walking everyone will have packed up and gone home by the time I get to the end.

So Im thinking I should start at 1.30 with the walkers and see what happens. If I run am I committing a sin against walkers our there? Im doing the race for motivation not to break any records (the last time I ran it I finished 8th last).

Any opinions?

donothoponpop

Bally8 wrote: »

Hi guys

I have been plagued with im ITB since last November but am slowly on the road to recovery. Im now using the rowing machine when I get a chance and walking a lot. 3 weeks ago I slowly started introducing some jogging into my walks. I now walk for 4 minutes and usually run for 1 to 2 minutes for about 50 minutes.

Im going to do the Adare 10k this sunday and although it was my intention to run it, that is clearly not an option for me now. So what do I do? I might walk the whole thing as Im doing it with friends but what if I feel like jogging every now and then. Is that cheating? If I wait to start with the runners and I end up walking everyone will have packed up and gone home by the time I get to the end.

So Im thinking I should start at 1.30 with the walkers and see what happens. If I run am I committing a sin against walkers our there? Im doing the race for motivation not to break any records (the last time I ran it I finished 8th last).

Any opinions?

Can't see any problem with starting with the walkers, and jogging a bit. No-ones going to get hurt by you doing this, you're not looking to break any records, and you'll be doing a lot more walking than running. Any sins you commit have been committed a thousandfold in reverse (walkers starting up the front with runners), so god will give you some leeway.:)

Best of luck with it.

RoyMcC

I believe etiquette dictates you walk. It may not matter a great deal in this particular instance but I gather Conn (for example) has had issues with 'walkers' starting early and then gaily haring off down the road to be in contention for a running prize. Or maybe I dreamt that

Maybe speak to the organisers. However it's good that you're on the road to recovery.

aburke

Bally8 wrote: »

but what if I feel like jogging every now and then. Is that cheating?

Yes. The walking start is for walkers.

If I wait to start with the runners and I end up walking everyone will have packed up and gone home by the time I get to the end.

No they won't- not if they are serious about participant safety anyway.

If I run am I committing a sin against walkers our there?

Yes

Any opinions?

Lots :-)
[rant]
'Walkers who run' have been the bane of my life since I started helping to organise races. I got rid of "walkers starts" in most races I'm involved with, except one little event in Connemara ...
I don't see that they achieve anything apart from screwing up results and make stewarding more challenging.
[/rant]

Bally8

I take all the points on board and I will probably just walk it in the end. However it is a non competitative walk so I presume walkers results arent being recorded so its no extra work for the organisers.
Thanks for replies. Up until the last few weeks I never even thought about walkers at a race except for when they got in my way.

T runner

Hi,

Why dont you start at the back at the runners and try and run as much as you can?

Your intention is to run eventually so start the way you mean to go on.

You wont be holding the officials up in a short race like that, just try and cover the distance as fast as you can. Walk fast, run a bit, walk fast etc. You'll be there in no time.

The problem seems to be people starting with walkers who run. The reverse problem only applies if you start at the front at he running field or if you are well behind the running field, which you wont be.

Send a quick email and ask them, Im sure it will be fine.

cfitz

Just wondering, why are you entering a race while you're still recovering from an injury?

Bally8

Just wondering, why are you entering a race while you're still recovering from an injury?

I have had problems with motivation and consistency of running before and Adare is one of the targets I have set myself this year. I think its a mental thing- I dont want to pull out for the first race of the year- if I do how will I stay motivated to do the next 4 or 5 I've planned or what about the marathon?

Im a fun runner- Im nothing near the level that everyone else here is at. Im not looking at the 10k as a race- just something to help me stay motivated and focused on achieving the bigger goals. Im at a point in my recovery where I can run so I dont see how the race can do me any harm.

--amadeus--

Bally8 wrote: »

Im a fun runner- Im nothing near the level that everyone else here is at.

Ohhhh, fasten your belts, here comes a RANT!!!

I don't think there is such a thing as a "fun runner"; at least in the sense that I think you mean it. Unless you are an elite and you race for places or a living then - on some level - you are doing it for "fun". If you are an enthusiastic amateur and you run a marathon in 2:40 or 6:40 you're ultimately doing it for teh same reasons; to challenge yourself, get or stay fit and so on. It's not a job it's a pastime, so we're all "fun runners".

And while I am at it I object a little to that tag applied to anyone. It implies that we don't take it seriously, taht it's all jolly japes and done for sh*ts and giggles. Neither you or I or anyone else on here thinks of running that way - it's a hobby yes, it's enjoyable but it's serious. We spend a lot of money on kit, we read up on how to enhance our performance, we slog our guts out in all weathers training. Dismissing us (and Sue Barker on the BBC I am talking to you) as "fun runners" is actually quite condescending.

Final rant - running is a continuum of abilities. There are some fantastically talented runners on here but they are just at one end of a spectrum that stretches right the way from teh 2:40 marathoners through the 12 / 14 min mile 10k'ers and beyond to the guys who can't yet run a couple of hundred yards without stopping. There are faster and slower runners; that's life. As it happens the fast guys on here are all modest and unfailingly helpful and we'd be pretty dumb if we didn't try and learn from them. But we're all runners and I don't like the idea of anyone saying "I'm not on teh same level as the rest of you" - it implies a lack of value in your own input. The whole concept of this forum is inclusivity, we have 3 or 4 lurkers (at least) for every poster and I would hate for them to be put off joining in because they think that this place is only for runners "of a certain level".

Rant over

kennyb3

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Ohhhh, fasten your belts, here comes a RANT!!!

I don't think there is such a thing as a "fun runner"; at least in the sense that I think you mean it. Unless you are an elite and you race for places or a living then - on some level - you are doing it for "fun". If you are an enthusiastic amateur and you run a marathon in 2:40 or 6:40 you're ultimately doing it for teh same reasons; to challenge yourself, get or stay fit and so on. It's not a job it's a pastime, so we're all "fun runners".

And while I am at it I object a little to that tag applied to anyone. It implies that we don't take it seriously, taht it's all jolly japes and done for sh*ts and giggles. Neither you or I or anyone else on here thinks of running that way - it's a hobby yes, it's enjoyable but it's serious. We spend a lot of money on kit, we read up on how to enhance our performance, we slog our guts out in all weathers training. Dismissing us (and Sue Barker on the BBC I am talking to you) as "fun runners" is actually quite condescending.

Final rant - running is a continuum of abilities. There are some fantastically talented runners on here but they are just at one end of a spectrum that stretches right the way from teh 2:40 marathoners through the 12 / 14 min mile 10k'ers and beyond to the guys who can't yet run a couple of hundred yards without stopping. There are faster and slower runners; that's life. As it happens the fast guys on here are all modest and unfailingly helpful and we'd be pretty dumb if we didn't try and learn from them. But we're all runners and I don't like the idea of anyone saying "I'm not on teh same level as the rest of you" - it implies a lack of value in your own input. The whole concept of this forum is inclusivity, we have 3 or 4 lurkers (at least) for every poster and I would hate for them to be put off joining in because they think that this place is only for runners "of a certain level".

Rant over

very well put, particularly inclusivity

Bally8

changed my mind...

robinph

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Dismissing us (and Sue Barker on the BBC I am talking to you) as "fun runners" is actually quite condescending.

I'd actually lay that accusation at the feet of Brendan Foster. Sue Barker is merely a tennis player and just repeating what she has been told to say, Cram is the one who I think has a more respectful commentary to everyones ability. It does sometimes sound like he wants to give Brendan a slap during some race commentaries for things he says.

As someone else already said though, start at the back of the runners rather than the front of the walkers.

Bally8

Sorry about my previous post- I had started to write an answer then my students came in looking for me as I should have been in class!!

Im hoping I didnt offend anyone with my comments on being a fun runner. I do find a lot of what is said on this forum very intimadating and think my efforts are sometimes pathetic in comparison to others. On the other hand I have gotten so so so much valuable information and encouragement from people that I love logging on here everyday.

I will probably walk in the end- my friends all prefer walking so I'll put this race down to just experiencing the buzz of race day! Hopefully I'll be ready to run for Plassey or Quilty.

RoyMcC

Great post Amadeus. Bally8 all of us on here have found our own level in running. Sure there are some very talented athletes who contribute excellent stuff to this forum. However there are any number of others of us whose achievements are way down the scale by comparison. But as Amadeus most eloquently put it, the efforts of each of us is equally valid.

And it is indeed a great feature of this forum that all contributions are listened to with respect and that is one reason why it is so popular.

So I would encourage the lurkers to pop by and say hello

--amadeus--

Bally8 wrote: »

Im hoping I didnt offend anyone with my comments on being a fun runner. I do find a lot of what is said on this forum very intimadating and think my efforts are sometimes pathetic in comparison to others.

Not at all offended - it's just one of my pet hates; it bugs me hearing people being dismissive of thier own efforts on here when 90% of people would be unable to do what they do.

I don't think anyone on here should ever feel intimidated but I can understand why people might (HM scares the bejasus out of me for all sorts of reasons :P). Seeing the huge mileage that the ultra runners rack up and reading some of the training logs and seeing the results and times that people log makes your eyes pop out sometimes. But it's not about intimidating or even impressing people, it's about people of similar levels comparing training notes. We tend to forget that this forum has a concentration of very talented and quite extraordinary people on it. Former international athletes, athletes who hold national records and currently compete at international level, athletes who go to the line in marathon or ultra events with a reasonable expectation of placing or winning. Athletes who enter ironman triathlons or multi day adventure races the way other people enter pubs. And so us mere mortals tend to assume that they are the norm. And they aren't - they are exceptional people. The norm is actually sitting on yer bum watching eastenders and most people go pale at teh idea of running a 10k. So our efforts are far from pathetic, be they 6 or 16 min miles.

[moderator hat on]
It's actually one of teh difficult balancing acts with this forum, trying to create a place where elite and national level athletes can discuss performances and be celebrated for thier abilities and achievements while not scaring off teh beginners and newbies. Like teh charter says elite is great, elitism isn't.
[moderator hat off]

So, less of the "my efforts are pathetic" talk, if you please!!

Bally8

So, less of the "my efforts are pathetic" talk, if you please!!

I promise to never say those words again