A new type of stupid

PaulieC

at least one that I've never come across before. Pacing in the Irish 3/4 yesterday, there was a girl in the group running with headphones. Nothing unusual there, but she pushed up to the front of the group and started weaving back and forward very close to me and a few others, causing a few near trips. The reason for the weaving ? She had her phone out and was looking at something very intently. She couldn't hear any shouts from behind her as they music was too loud.

Later I saw a picture on Twitter of a clown boasting about reading his email while he was running. This was on open roads. What is wrong with these people ? It was a long run, but surely you can stay away from your phone for a few hours, especially if you are the leader of a so-called mindfulness movement ?? Grown men taking selfies with their medals after the race seems almost normal in comparison.

ThebitterLemon

I just don't get it, but then again I'm a dinosaur.

I've never run with music and as for engaging with social media while on the run, ffs!!

I get the impression that some people get more satisfaction from posting selfies than the actual run!

The only place I go on about my runs is my own log and that's probably over the top too


TbL

dublin runner

Why do I run?

It's not about doing it for yourself, or for your family and friends. It's not even about the time or the place you came in. It's definitely not about the enjoyment level and the incredible sense of satisfaction of pushing yourself to the very limit. It's most certainly not about the running. In fact, i'm not even sure if I like running to be honest.

So, what's it all about? It's quite simple: It's all about the likes!

Lust for Likes.

nhunter100

dublin runner wrote:

It's not about doing it for yourself, or for you family and friends. It's not even about the time or the place you came in. It's definitely not about the enjoyment level and the incredible sense of satisfaction of pushing yourself to the very limit. It's most certainly not about the running. In fact, i'm not even sure if I like running to be honest.

Sarcasm, love it.

robinph

I let the Garmin post to Facebook during races and the social media can then take care of itself whilst I concentrate on running.

Although I was accused of sending texts during a 20mile race this year as I lapped someone and had my phone out at the time. I was actually doing a test for blood sugar levels, but it's not very easy to explain that whilst running at pace along a road so they will still no doubt be thinking that I was texting.

AnneFrank

I run for the absolute peace and freedom it gives me, away from phones, cars, work ect,
never understood why anyone would have to listen to music or enter races to be surrounded by
hundreds of others but i guess we all get something different from it,
the most important thing is, we run

Tombo2001

Different strokes for different folks.

I would never run with earphones, but I don't particularly resent people who would......any more than I resent people for growing silly beards or listening to Pink Floyd. Its not for me.......but it is for some....and that's fine.

Different story if someone is reading their phone and potentially causing a hazard; but at that point you just tap them on the shoulder and make them aware of the issue.

jamule

PaulieC wrote: »

at least one that I've never come across before. Pacing in the Irish 3/4 yesterday, there was a girl in the group running with headphones. Nothing unusual there, but she pushed up to the front of the group and started weaving back and forward very close to me and a few others, causing a few near trips. The reason for the weaving ? She had her phone out and was looking at something very intently. She couldn't hear any shouts from behind her as they music was too loud.

Later I saw a picture on Twitter of a clown boasting about reading his email while he was running. This was on open roads. What is wrong with these people ? It was a long run, but surely you can stay away from your phone for a few hours, especially if you are the leader of a so-called mindfulness movement ?? Grown men taking selfies with their medals after the race seems almost normal in comparison.

Nothing a little shoulder would have sorted out.

davedanon

PaulieC wrote: »

Later I saw a picture on Twitter of a clown boasting about reading his email while he was running. This was on open roads. What is wrong with these people ? It was a long run, but surely you can stay away from your phone for a few hours, especially if you are the leader of a so-called mindfulness movement ??

It depends. If you're really, really important then you have a duty to keep the world informed, and stay in touch at all times.

nhunter100

davedanon wrote:

It depends. If you're really, really important then you have a duty to keep the world informed, and stay in touch at all times.

Even from the bonnet of an unseen car. ;-)

Myles Splitz

More a symptom of society in general.

We have become a culture of instant gratification to the point where most aren't willing to put in the hard graft anymore.

Fitness has become the extension of social media now where you are either a fitness training #gymbod or you are an endurance junkie who can show you the mile marks of any race via the selfies and videos taken during the race

At the top level of sport we see doping as a form of shortcut to success while at the bottom we get similar mentalities by getting creative in getting plaudits whether it be moving up in distance or finding niche "World Records" (12 marathons carrying a lucky rabbits foot while running backwards dressed as a cucumber etc) Coming in the middle of the pack in a tough 5k or 10 mile race is not seen as superhuman and therefore not attractive endeavor for many to the point where hard work and personal growth and development has become a tertiary element of our sport.

Will it change? No simple fact is the last 50 years society has been striving to make things easier for general lifestyle to the point where you don't have to work as hard and that mentality has encroached on all aspects of society from phone apps and other technological advances that are just short of getting you out of bed without having to do anything (reminds me of the machines getting Wallace from his bed to the breakfast table in Wallace and Gromit)

What could be done to help?
I think minimum entry standards for a handful of races would help (think Boston Qualifier type for a Road Race Series) not to exclude people but rather incentivise those who aren't competing at the top end to work hard and have a tangible reward for work put in (won't happen as Race Organisers won't want to limit their revenue)

...or a Centralized Ranking system to show people exactly where they stand in country standings that way you can cut down on many of the unquantifiable BS "achievements" that many exploit to generate business and sponsorship through motivational talks and coaching businesses.

Coffee Fulled Runner

It's not running but at the weekend a few people I know were doing one of those hell and back things. My Facebook time line was full of selfies and live streams of people rolling around in muck. I really don't see the point in it.

davedanon

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote: »

It's not running but at the weekend a few people I know were doing one of those hell and back things. My Facebook time line was full of selfies and live streams of people rolling around in muck. I really don't see the point in it.

A group us from the club did one a couple of years back for a laugh.

Coffee Fulled Runner

davedanon wrote: »

A group us from the club did one a couple of years back for a laugh.

I've no problem with the hell and back although not my thing. It's the selfies and live streams on Facebook telling the world how much craic they are having and how hard it is to complete like they survived a month with Bear Grylls is where I've the problem.

nhunter100

Coffee Fulled Runner wrote:

I've no problem with the hell and back although not my thing. It's the selfies and live streams on Facebook telling the world how much craic they are having and how hard it is to complete like they survived a month with Bear Grylls is where I've the problem.

Scroll on by. Job done.

Arsenium

I'm not an earphone wearer and dont agree with them. But I had to smile yesterday in the 3/4. About mile 15 or so myself and my running partner were beginning to to feel it a bit when a girl came up behind us and passed in between us as she sang along to whatever song she was listening to on the earphones. I dont think she had a clue she was singing out loud at all. Took my mind off my legs for a few seconds.

Mind you later on when the ambulance flew past us with the lights flashing I was hoping she was able to hear it.

I've even taken to watching documentaries on my phone while doing LSR's. I find them awfully boring after an hour. Am I the enemy? There's so much room in Phoenix Park that it's almost impossible to bump into someone.

ThebitterLemon

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've even taken to watching documentaries on my phone while doing LSR's. I find them awfully boring after an hour. Am I the enemy? There's so much room in Phoenix Park that it's almost impossible to bump into someone.

I don't care if you watch movies on a flat screen tv, just don't interfere with my run

TbL

Working class heroes

Seen someone wearing earphones at a Cross Country race yesterday. Gob****e.

davedanon

Arsenium wrote: »

Mind you later on when the ambulance flew past us with the lights flashing I was hoping she was able to hear it.

It was probably picking her up.

davedanon

Deleted User wrote: »

I've even taken to watching documentaries on my phone while doing LSR's. I find them awfully boring after an hour. Am I the enemy? There's so much room in Phoenix Park that it's almost impossible to bump into someone.

95% certain this is t**lling, but on the chance it's not, I'd make sure you have dental insurance. Awful lot of bumpy, broken footpaths in the park. You need to watch where you're going.

kit3

Deleted User wrote: »

I've even taken to watching documentaries on my phone while doing LSR's. I find them awfully boring after an hour. Am I the enemy? There's so much room in Phoenix Park that it's almost impossible to bump into someone.

Again, on the off chance you are serious, try this - the park is a magic place, need no distractions

davedanon

davedanon wrote: »

95% certain this is t**lling, but on the chance it's not, I'd make sure you have dental insurance. Awful lot of bumpy, broken footpaths in the park. You need to watch where you're going.

I am the top 5%. I've had problems so far.

PaulieC

Deleted User wrote: »

Am I the enemy?

No one mentioned enemies, but you might just be your own worst one.

RuMan

Deleted User wrote: »

I've even taken to watching documentaries on my phone while doing LSR's. I find them awfully boring after an hour. Am I the enemy? There's so much room in Phoenix Park that it's almost impossible to bump into someone.

I enjoy long runs I must say.

Why would you do something that you find boring ? Life's too short, plenty of other things you could be doing.

RuMan

RuMan wrote: »

I enjoy long runs I must say.

Why would you do something that you find boring ? Life's too short, plenty of other things you could be doing.

To be honest, you are right. I have realised that long distance running isn't for me. I have signed up for my first (and probably last) dublin marathon so that's what I'm aiming for. Anything over 10k which isn't part of a race bores me to tears. I'll definitely keep up the running as it's done wonders for me in many facets of my life but I think specifically long distance isn't working for me at all.

IvoryTower

listen to podcasts, dont watch videos lol, hard to believe thats real

Chivito550

[Deleted User] wrote: »

To be honest, you are right. I have realised that long distance running isn't for me. I have signed up for my first (and probably last) dublin marathon so that's what I'm aiming for. Anything over 10k which isn't part of a race bores me to tears. I'll definitely keep up the running as it's done wonders for me in many facets of my life but I think specifically long distance isn't working for me at all.

Take up sprinting. I was the same as you. Long runs bored me to tears. You're never bored with sprinting.

Extrasupervery

Sent a few texts to my OH on a 20 mile LSR last weekend. The route and distance were new to me so I was checking in for safety sake. Didn't weave or block anyone, though.

robinph

Extrasupervery wrote: »

Sent a few texts to my OH on a 20 mile LSR last weekend. The route and distance were new to me so I was checking in for safety sake. Didn't weave or block anyone, though.

Use live tracking and they will be able to see exactly where you are during he runs:

http://www8.garmin.com/livetrack/

davedanon

robinph wrote: »

Use live tracking and they will be able to see exactly where you are during he runs:

http://www8.garmin.com/livetrack/

Jeez. Being untrackable is one of the most positive aspects of a long run in my book...

Extrasupervery

robinph wrote: »

Use live tracking and they will be able to see exactly where you are during he runs:

http://www8.garmin.com/livetrack/

I knew not of this great wonder, gonna have to try it out! Does it sap battery life? My garmin died at 19.98 miles the other day after what I thought was a full charge. Really hope I can get 26.2 out of it.

robinph

I've used it for several marathons, which is great for the spectators who can then hide away in the hotel room from the weather with baby until the last minute. Not had any extra battery drain on the Garmin, and whilst there will be a bit of extra battery drain on the phone, especially if you are running in places with poor mobile phone signal, it has lasted the distance perfectly fine. This has included both 3hr and 6hr duration events round city centres with overloaded mobile networks and remote clifftops with virtually non-existent mobile coverage.

You probably will need a power bank to recharge the phone afterwards in order to get online and check your results and TwitterBook things in the pub though as that will be a big battery drain.

RuMan

davedanon wrote: »

Jeez. Being untrackable is one of the most positive aspects of a long run in my book...

+1

I go for a run to get a bit of peace. Day people start ringing me half way through is the day I take up swimming !

sideswipe

RuMan wrote: »

+1

I go for a run to get a bit of peace. Day people start ringing me half way through is the day I take up swimming !

Just leave this here for you so;)

B-D-P--

Might start Twittering during my next rugby game :P

yaboya1

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Might start Twittering during my next rugby game :P

I'm not that familiar with all the twitter language. If somebody tweets while taking part in a sporting event, that makes them a twat, yes?

RuMan

yaboya1 wrote: »

I'm not that familiar with all the twitter language. If somebody tweets while taking part in a sporting event, that makes them a twat, yes?

Twit head is the polite version

ThisRegard

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Might start Twittering during my next rugby game :P

You'd have plenty of time in-between scrum resets anyway.

I have the new series of Black Mirror on my phone to keep me company on the Dublin Marathon today. Wish me luck

This is most definitely a joke

davedanon

Deleted User wrote: »

I have the new series of Black Mirror on my phone to keep me company on the Dublin Marathon today. Wish me luck

This is most definitely a joke

No 'thanks', because you're a fool.