What do you LOVE about other runners and running in general?

quickbeam

Go on then, tell me all the good stuff you get out of running......

For me, it's very early stages yet, but:
- seeing little improvements each time I head out.
- the exhilaration of finishing my intended goals for a run.

yaboya1

parkrun.
I love everything about it.

Sacksian

Running alone over trails in the Phoenix Park gives me most contentment from running.

RayCun

• getting out for a run first thing in the morning, and feeling smug healthy for the rest of the day
• running past traffic
• running on a horrible day, once you've been out a few minutes and you're not going to get any wetter so you just give in to it
• running around parks or hills in the early morning
• parkrun, seeing everyone out on a Saturday morning
• running with a bunch of people in a club session
• spectating or racing in the club singlet, and giving/getting shouts from club members
• seeing all the marathon runners out training at this time of year. Yes, sometimes their form makes me despair but still, great to see them out
• Dublin marathon

seamus

I've been running for the guts of 6 years now and I still get a kick out of being able to go out and run 5km, remember that at one stage running 500m would have been a struggle.

I also enjoy the silent camaraderie in a race; when you find your "spot" in the field and spend 30+ minutes running alongside the same few people, moving forwards and backwards as the race progresses. You don't say a word the whole way around, but will give a hearty congratulations, handshake and a wave as you cross the finish line.

andrew1977

The mental well being and positivity it gives me cannot be underestimated.
Hoping to complete the Dublin city marathon this year , for me to get this done considering my starting point under 2 years ago astounds me.

Oh and the many new friends I have met through the running, fantastic.

Birdsong

I've been injured since may, plantir facitis and I miss running so much. There is nothing like going out after work for 30 minutes, clear the head and enjoy some me time. I tried the gym and swimming but nothing comes close to the running.

I am in a club and I really miss the social side, catching up with people every week and chatting about racing, training etc with people who are interested in it and don't think I am mad!!

Running is very simple at the end of the day, get out what you put in to it.

IvoryTower

being absolutely ****ed having completed a good hard session

finishing a training session that only a few weeks earlier you wouldn't of had a chance

talking about running all the time

hitting your goals or a new pb after after lots of hard work

the atmosphere in running clubs, it's about being friendly and supportive, certainly nothing like how I felt playing football

just going for a run

djemba djemba

Early Sunday morning run. No cars passing you,the peace and the satisfaction that comes from enjoying the rest of your day.

pconn062

Racing- probably my favourite part of running, training is good and all but it's racing that really gets the juices flowing.

I have a spot that I train in which is a grass loop, and I'm happiest when cruising around that on my own feeling good in the peace of the countryside. Free therapy.

The camaraderie- a good proportion of my close friends are people I've met through the club and I get great joy out of meeting them for a Sunday long run, and miss it when I can't do it.

And I love watching high class athletics, the Morton mile is a highlight of my year.

charkee

the cat nap on a sunday morning after the long run!

gramar

The feeling out training sometimes of absolutely cruising along at a decent pace when it feels absolutely effortless.

hot buttered scones

gramar wrote:

The feeling out training sometimes of absolutely cruising along at a decent pace when it feels absolutely effortless.

I was just about to post something similar. I love when this happens. I'd be smiling away like a loon sometimes.

Spirogyra

Friendship ,sense belonging to a community...the best people in my life,well most of them are runners. It also provides a focus when jobs have went under,when things went wrong in my personal life,Ive always had running. Its great to get improve as well and an excuse to travelðŸ˜႒.

pcuser

Im not running long but I do love how energized I fell after a run.

DubOnHoliday

Making your own road to the top of a mountain in an IMRA race, careering back down the mountain with your brain screaming to slow down. Being able to look at most hill tops in wicklow and say I ran up there and it was awesome. Friends made like your know them your whole life. Progress, improving on last season, trying to catch the guys that were usually a few minutes ahead of you, setting the personal challenge.

joesoap5

I love male runners with a nice a physique and style of running, inspires me to run faster sometimes as well.

HS3

The wave/nod you get from another runner as you pass by them. Last night I got a wink which was nice

The kindness of the more experienced runner, I've met some out and about who can see that newbie look and heckled words of encouragement. Or when I tumbled head first into a load of runners last year and they stopped their session to assist

Hill sprints

joesoap5

Reminded me there of a sprint I was in and was on the cycle leg, this girl whizzes past and turns her head back, smiles and says 'you're doing well, keep it up.'
Was on the run leg and who do I see just ahead of me starting to walk, the said girl. She must've heard me approaching and turned her head back to see me and then she started bending down to fix her lace as I passed her.

I said nothing and just laughed to meself. I was having such a sh^^y race but that gave me a great buzz.

livedadream

Feeling battered after a good run
Crossing start and finish lines
My wall of glory (my medals and race numbers)
The shouts you get from other runners in a race
High fiving kids at races when their hands are sticking out
Race signs ( personal favourite is the one from the cork marathon saying run like your late for mass)
People shouting out my club name as I run past
General sense of pride

Spirogyra

As I passed out a girl in XC last Sunday, she said ' well done' or words to that affect...ðŸ˜႒

Dubgal72

Runners in general I am full-on stereotyping here but runners are the nicest, soundest people going, ime. You leave your politics, your religion, your occupation at home and just go run. And in the pub you talk about running some more. Win win :cool:

EauRouge79

Guilt free cake after Saturdays Long Run!
There are many other things but this is the best��

Runners who are very strong...but just get on with it and don't bang on about drop sizes and which type of shoe lace they chose. The ones that just cruise at the front, especially of the tougher IMRA runs.

Sort of the opposite of the over analysing plodder referred to in the other thread, who goes on about how much they spent and how they maintained their 6 min kms in that 5k fun run.

joesoap5

Deleted User wrote: »

Runners who are very strong...but just get on with it and don't bang on about drop sizes and which type of shoe lace they chose. The ones that just cruise at the front, especially of the tougher IMRA runs.

Sort of the opposite of the over analysing plodder referred to in the other thread, who goes on about how much they spent and how they maintained their 6 min kms in that 5k fun run.

I hope you dont get lynched for making that comment about the plodders :pac:

HS3

Deleted User wrote: »

Runners who are very strong...but just get on with it and don't bang on about drop sizes and which type of shoe lace they chose. The ones that just cruise at the front, especially of the tougher IMRA runs.

Sort of the opposite of the over analysing plodder referred to in the other thread, who goes on about how much they spent and how they maintained their 6 min kms in that 5k fun run.

The experienced runner who understands there are people at the back just as strong, who work hard, and have as much potential as anyone else on the course, once they put the work in,regardless of the speed they currently maintain in a fun run and who get the reason for the over analysing

joesoap5

joesoap5 wrote: »

I hope you dont get lynched for making that comment about the plodders :pac:

Oh I have no issue with plodders. Before I became really good I was one myself...:D;)

It's specifically the ones who over analyse. Who drone on for ages about pronation or drop size when it won't make a blind bit of difference to their time.

So conversely I like the really good runners who are modest about themselves and just get on with it.

Sunny Dayz

I love how running really is all-encompassing when it comes to the people who take part!
When I look at those who run at my local gaa club, at parkrun, at any runs/races I have taken part in, there's such a wide variety of people of all ages and walks of life. It's nice to get to know people you otherwise wouldn't have known through running, starting with a few words about how the run went to seeing them regularly at runs and then recognising them around the town.

Maximus Alexander

Running home from work and getting home at the same time I would have if I'd taken public transport, but with the head clear and the body buzzing in place of a sense of lingering frustration at other commuters.

Getting out of the shower after a long run on a Saturday and plopping on the couch with a big feed and a mug of coffee.

Runners you meet in races who spend the whole time encouraging others and trying to pull them along.

Getting drenched and caught in a gale in the middle of a run and feeling completely alive.

Looking back at paces and heart rates from this time last year and seeing the gaping chasm between then and now.

The feeling of being generally in a much healthier place mentally than I was before I took up running.

Experienced runners who go out of their way to offer advice and encouragement to newcomers and those who are far behind them on the development curve.

Crossing the line at the end of a race, grabbing a banana and basking in that sweet endorphin buzz.

Running in winter when the air is crisp and still and you can see your breath.

Running in the dark, where through some trick of the mind it seems like you're going faster.

Running on new routes, especially when you're not exactly sure what's around the next corner.

spaceylou

So much...but here are a few:

The moments of zen-like tranquility that happen when out for an easy run somewhere quiet.

High-fiving little kids during races - always gives me a boost.

The 'me-time' it provides.

That tired but satisfied glow after a race or tough training session.

But most of all - the people. Yeah sure there are some utter gobsh1te$ out there, they also number in the non-running population but by and large the people I have met through running either as a once off or that I would meet more regularly are fantastic.

Spirogyra

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I love how running really is all-encompassing when it comes to the people who take part!
When I look at those who run at my local gaa club, at parkrun, at any runs/races I have taken part in, there's such a wide variety of people of all ages and walks of life. It's nice to get to know people you otherwise wouldn't have known through running, starting with a few words about how the run went to seeing them regularly at runs and then recognising them around the town.

I think this is very true and at the club sometimes being on teams together

Peterx

Running is the king of exercise. So simple, so free and so so so time efficient. A 2 hour run at the weekend softens your cough nicely but would be just about enough on the bike.

Run commuting home is just the most perfect expression of all that is good about running in terms of time efficiency.

Quicker than driving or taking the bus and a better workout in the available time than you would have got by just cycling. And mysteriously it only takes twice as long as cycling despite cycling having a much higher cruising speed.

As others have said - the days when it's easy and you are floating along like a zen warrior distance eating machine of perfect harmony and poise, these are the days we run all the other days for.

As for other runners....nope, it's all about me today

hot buttered scones

Maximus Alexander wrote:

Running in the dark, where through some trick of the mind it seems like you're going faster.

Running faster in the dark coz you can't see and your in a hurry to get to that bit down the road with streetlights!

cjt156

Actually I'm looking forward to dark evening runs in the park. No lights or torches, let the eyes adjust and its amazing how much becomes visible. Moonlight is a bonus some nights too.
Cool crisp air and a starry sky, heaven.

hot buttered scones

There's that time of day - the first nice day of early spring when the weather's calm and the sun is rising. The sky is blue. It's not long since the last frost and there's still a nip in the air. You can't wait to get out and get going. Everyone else is tucked up in bed and your on the road, hitting fast paces with ease, the first test of all that winter training in the cold and rains and storms. The streets are void of traffic and they're yours. You just feel bulletproof and perhaps even strangely subversive - engaging in a subculture rather than a sport. Running never feels so good or so easy on days like this. You wish you could just run forever.

diego_b

The still finding distances and paces that you never thought you could run at before, 3-4 years ago a short sprint for a train or a bus would have had me cooked for the evening.

Races, lining up some random street/village/town/city with maybe a few or maybe thousands to race an arbitrary distance in as fast as time as possible....and to get rewarded by traveling faster over the given distance than you have ever ran before. What a buzz!

Training, exploring where every nook and cranny of the roads where I live. Running around a corner to see a vista you have never seen before, likely on your own and going wow that is nice.

Clubmates and running friends, the general support network that is available in real world and online is immense.

Blowing away stress with a good session.

DCM Novices 2015 thread.

deisedude

The sense of satisfaction after a long run on a Sunday morning when everyone else is in bed.
The nod of the head to another runner as you cross paths
That sprint for the finish line
The euphoria of bearing your PB
Reflecting how far you've come
The encouragement from the crowd
That meditative feeling when it's just you and nature as you soak it all in
The camaraderie of a group run even when I don't know the people that well

Also that lovely feeling of getting some new gear whether it be a pair of runners or a bargain in aldi

Sunny Dayz

Love the C25K thread on Boards. It's great to see people post at the start of their running journey and update with their progress. Or other people posting updates say this time x weeks ago/ a year ago I couldn't run 100mtrs and now I can run 5km! I remember back to when I did my own c25k and how difficult and daunting I found it. It's lovely to look back on your own journey and to see other people making progress.

DubOnHoliday

As soon as I got out of work on Friday, it was back to the car, get changed, head torch on and go, two hours running trails around Bray head. Its like free awesomeness.

The Black Oil

Looking down at my feet moving along. It's not that I think they look cool, just the movement and knowing that I'm causing it. :pac:

Whistlejacket

Thanking your legs for carrying you that far when you didn't know they could.
Realising that what initially seemed like an insurmountable distance for other "real" runners is now well achievable (5k, 10k, 10 miles, half marathon, 3/4 marathon, soon to add a marathon to that list hopefully!).
The helpfulness and respect for others that nearly all runners seem to share, regardless of their level of ability/experience.
Those occasional runs when it just all feels so easy.
First glimpse of the finish line.
A brilliant-blue-and-green kingfisher flashing across the path in front of me the other day as I ran alongside the Boyne.
Running early on a crisp autumn morning with mist rising off the grass and the world to yourself.

Cabaal

What I love about running in general,

Seeing parts of the country differently when running even though I've driven the same rounds hundreds of times!
Even locally I've taken in some new routes that I've driven loads of times but the views and everything else are just so much more interesting when running.

Going for a LSR from the town I live in and being 20miles out and meeting a farmer who asks where have I ran from and looks at me in surprise and says "you ran from there??!!?". It never gets old

Sunny Dayz

Cabaal wrote: »

Seeing parts of the country differently when running even though I've driven the same rounds hundreds of times!
Even locally I've taken in some new routes that I've driven loads of times but the views and everything else are just so much more interesting when running.

When running your local roads, they seem completely different when you are running them, there are hills and dips that you never notice from the car. Also you notice so much more around you, love going out for a run for a nosy!

Jan_de_Bakker

Not really about other runners but running, well I suck at football and I hate losing, I suck at tennis and I hate losing

But Running It's just me out there and I have only personal timings to beat or equal - which so far has been pretty handy!
So yeah, I get as much or more exercise from it, and all the positive feelings and none of the negative

jamule

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

When running your local roads, they seem completely different when you are running them, there are hills and dips that you never notice from the car. Also you notice so much more around you, love going out for a run for a nosy!

I love being the nosy runner. Finding out where poeple live

Puibo

Stopping in the farmers market on a Saturday morning to pick up breakfast after the parkrun.

Annie get your Run

I can't believe this thread was on page 5 and the other one on page 1 is still going! It's Christmas!! :pac: Here's what I love about other runners or running in general.

- The support, through good times and bad
- Their willingness to share advice, some good, some bad
- You can fight tooth and nail with a competitor in a race but the camaraderie afterwards is brilliant
- The nod from a fellow runner when you're both out in sub zero temperatures or a torrential downpour
- parkrun, parkrunners, volunteering at parkrun, the friendships formed, the times dropping, everything about parkrun in general
- Trail runs, even better if they have a few hills
- Cross country races
- Marathon training runs with top notch company
- The utter peace and calm of running solo & early on a weekend morning before the rest of the world is really awake
- Running buddies
- Being part of a club
- Continually making improvements
- PB's!

Neady83

When you meet a group of fit for lifers coming against you while out on a run and you hear a chorus or "Keep to the right, runner on the left" ... there's something about it that makes me smile

rainbow kirby

Seeing a group of 8-10 year old girls finishing Couch to 5k by doing the local Parkrun a couple of weeks ago - they managed to get a volunteer to run with every girl, put out a little drinks station for them and even encouraged some of their mothers (from cultural backgrounds where women getting out to run really isn't a thing) to join in.

The running community can be really great when it wants to be.

Zebra3

Hmmm, bit of a different one to everyone else in the thread so far.... But stay with me!

Anyway, not long before I did my first ever marathon last year (Belfast) I went out jogging straight after work.

I'd intended just to do about 10km but got into the flow of things, found myself gliding along as if I was on a cloud, was at the 16km stage as I was heading back to the job for a shower and suddenly the tune from Chariots of Fire started playing in my head.

I felt that good about myself.

And if you think that's a bit odd, I never actually seen CoF, it was before my time!

Defo the best buzz I've ever gotten from running. :pac:

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Only really started running this year (finished first very slow 5 km today), but I like the aloneness of the running, earphones in, just you against the road/track. Especially great in the early morning.

I also like how running 5 km is relatively quick. I cycled before this, and a 80 km cycle takes 2 hours plus. Haven't got time for that anymore.