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David Matthews interview-Main goal of NIALive to get recreational runners onto track

24

Comments

  • #32
    Testosterscone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Testosterscone


    S.L.F. wrote: »
    I'm not doubting for one minute that you would pace 7 minute milers and upwards.

    Its probably difficult for you to get my mindset since you're not a fun runner and your life and career revolve around running. You are extremely good at running as a result and are looking at it from a totally different perspective.

    I am a fun runner though. In my life I think I have acquired a grand total of 20e in vouchers as prizes and a vegetable steamer IIRC. To put it into perspective I was one of the only ones in my training group growing up who didn't go on scholarship for athletics and was very much a back marker for the majority of my running life (and still am in many races). Yes I am a therapist around my full time job but that is very much a part time thing and purposely as I it means I do not have a financial motive when it comes to number of treatments and course of rehab etc. I work a 50 hour week outside of anything running related. Yes I am passionate but it is a hobby non the less
    S.L.F. wrote: »
    Its kind of like this, i remember reading someones comments here and they said if they thought they were going to run slower than they expected they'd sooner hide in a bush than finish at the slow end of a race with people watching them come in.

    Or another one who I know regularly stands at the end of races and claps in all the slower runners but would also sooner hide in a bush than finish with them unless they were pacing them.

    Well I think a lot of fun runners would also rather hide in a bush than finish last in a 9 minute mile race in front of people who are really good at running, not that I think they'd be even watching a 9 minute mile race to begin with.

    Unfortunately I can't speak for everyone's opinion on a public forum much like you but for clarity;

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=104183716&postcount=511
    S.L.F. wrote: »
    The average fun runner is likely running on their own or with like minded friends. They're more likely to mosey up to the park or the A.L.S.A.A for an informal run with people of all sizes and ages.

    They wouldn't even know about this track to begin with.

    ALSAA charge pretty much same fee, is as obscure in public eye's as a track and field location and is in much worse condition. In terms of people of all shapes and sizes there are people from 16-70 from what I can see in the results from Thursday plenty of shapes and sizes to. If anything I would say its a wider demographic than many road races comparatively relative to size of event.
    S.L.F. wrote: »
    Unless they were thinking of becoming serious about running I still cant see them heading over there to pay to feel intimidated.

    If someone is breaking 7 minutes for a mile then I'm sure they're already competitive and might want to go over to hedge their bets. 7 minute mile is nothing to be embarrassed about.

    Again I totally respect that you help runners who look to you for guidance, no doubt you do judging from the ongoing support you get on this forum.

    Who said it was not an achievement? Race organizers have stressed the aim about catering for all levels. Everyone who has come on here has been talking about it being welcoming and encouraging people (bar TRR but he is cranky at the best of times :p) I fail to see how it is construed as intimidating. I get its your personal opinion and you are passionate about that (well when it comes to me posting anyway) but I would urge you to pop down some time and judge for yourself looking from afar often makes people intimidating (some of the nicest most helpful people in the sport are the ones at the very top in this country)


  • #33
    Chivito550
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,697 ✭✭✭Chivito550


    S.L.F. wrote: »
    It would've been courteous of him to post what you just responded with.

    Can people go up on forums and quote what others have said to them without giving a source?

    I really have no clue what you are talking about.


  • #34
    S.L.F.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 282 ✭✭S.L.F.


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    In all fairness the "support" he gets is very justified as far as I can see. He is an absolute gent in giving advice and support.

    The average fun golfer hates hitting it into the trees, the average 5 a side footballer hates shanking it wide from a yard out and a 5 minute miler hates performing badly too. I don't see why they should be criticised for that.

    Sorry at what point did I I criticise him for being supported, i just pointed it out. I totally acknowledged it and the help he gives. Dont be trying to make me out as a total villain.


  • #35
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    ThisRegard wrote: »
    I don't think it can be all put down to the intimidating aspect, boredom plays a part. For a lot of people running is also about getting out there and away, not doing circles. It's good for speed work and intervals and the likes.

    "Recreational runners", are out running for health reasons and the enjoyment of it. Track lends itself moreso to competition so there's no real natural segue between the two.

    I can't totally accept that. Parkrun is full of recreational runners who blast out too fast and then slow down. Why? Because they too are chasing times. It's human nature.
    At my age and only getting into running in 2017 to any consistent degree I can understand the fear. At the start of this thread I was sceptical but I'll give it a go before making judgement


  • #36
    jimmii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    I would love to do this! I used to be pretty competitive but picked up a few injuries but always loved it. Looking at the times they seem to be making sure each race is reasonably close which is good.

    Do you have to be registered to a club to run or could I just show up if I was in Ireland at the time?


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  • #37
    Testosterscone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Testosterscone


    jimmii wrote: »
    I would love to do this! I used to be pretty competitive but picked up a few injuries but always loved it. Looking at the times they seem to be making sure each race is reasonably close which is good.

    Do you have to be registered to a club to run or could I just show up if I was in Ireland at the time?

    Think Dave clarified this recently that it's open to all not just club member.


  • #38
    jimmii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Testosterscone wrote: »
    Think Dave clarified this recently that it's open to all not just club member.

    Yeah just seen it on the site looks like you can just show up that's great imo. How do they grade people who haven't got much in the way of timings? Do you go in the last race and work your way up?


  • #39
    Testosterscone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Testosterscone


    jimmii wrote: »
    Yeah just seen it on the site looks like you can just show up. How do they grade people who haven't got much in the way of timings? Do you go in the last race and work your way up?

    Ask you what you are hoping to run and try to group people as best as possible off of that.


  • #40
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    S.L.F. wrote: »
    Sorry at what point did I I criticise him for being supported, i just pointed it out. I totally acknowledged it and the help he gives. Dont be trying to make me out as a total villain.

    Sorry at what point did I say you criticised him. I simply reinforced your praise.

    Sorry if you think I was trying to make you out to be a villain. I made it clear I disagreed with you as regards the competitive nature we all have. Every training log makes reference to times, paces and targets.


  • #41
    clickerquicklic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭clickerquicklic


    Went over with my mate to try out this track last Thursday , we had a look online but must of missed that there was an event on. We went in and had a look around its great place , we where chatting previous to going in , neither of us have run on a track before the website says the track in 200 metres but to my untrained eye it looked 400m .

    We are slow runner so we where thinking we would try stay out of people's way then I realised you probably won't get gps indoors and if you run in the outside lanes how will we know how far we have run, then when we got there I looked down at my mucky Nike's wondering do you need to wear some sort of spikes or white soles?

    It is a little intimidating first time (even though we didn't get on the track) but that was just because we didn't know what we where doing but its like that going down to any new activity for the first time.

    Is the track 200m or 400m?
    Do you need to wear special runners?
    Should you run anti clockwise or clockwise?
    Should you take the outside lanes if you are slower? or do you move out of the way?

    I'm just talking about going to the track to do sessions like 12*400m when the weather is too bad. If anyone could help with them questions it would be obliged as couldn't find the answers on the website.
    Thanks


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  • #42
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    clickerquicklic wrote: »
    Went over with my mate to try out this track last Thursday , we had a look online but must of missed that there was an event on. We went in and had a look around its great place , we where chatting previous to going in , neither of us have run on a track before the website says the track in 200 metres but to my untrained eye it looked 400m .

    We are slow runner so we where thinking we would try stay out of people's way then I realised you probably won't get gps indoors and if you run in the outside lanes how will we know how far we have run, then when we got there I looked down at my mucky Nike's wondering do you need to wear some sort of spikes or white soles?

    It is a little intimidating first time (even though we didn't get on the track) but that was just because we didn't know what we where doing but its like that going down to any new activity for the first time.

    Is the track 200m or 400m?
    Do you need to wear special runners?
    Should you run anti clockwise or clockwise?
    Should you take the outside lanes if you are slower? or do you move out of the way?

    I'm just talking about going to the track to do sessions like 12*400m when the weather is too bad. If anyone could help with them questions it would be obliged as couldn't find the answers on the website.
    Thanks

    Slow? God you're modest! Haha. Get in the 5 minute milers race and give it a lash. I'll try the 6 minute group!! No football boots allowed!


  • #43
    Chivito550
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,697 ✭✭✭Chivito550


    clickerquicklic wrote: »
    Went over with my mate to try out this track last Thursday , we had a look online but must of missed that there was an event on. We went in and had a look around its great place , we where chatting previous to going in , neither of us have run on a track before the website says the track in 200 metres but to my untrained eye it looked 400m .

    We are slow runner so we where thinking we would try stay out of people's way then I realised you probably won't get gps indoors and if you run in the outside lanes how will we know how far we have run, then when we got there I looked down at my mucky Nike's wondering do you need to wear some sort of spikes or white soles?

    It is a little intimidating first time (even though we didn't get on the track) but that was just because we didn't know what we where doing but its like that going down to any new activity for the first time.

    Is the track 200m or 400m?
    Do you need to wear special runners?
    Should you run anti clockwise or clockwise?
    Should you take the outside lanes if you are slower? or do you move out of the way?

    I'm just talking about going to the track to do sessions like 12*400m when the weather is too bad. If anyone could help with them questions it would be obliged as couldn't find the answers on the website.
    Thanks

    200m Indoors. It’s 400m Outdoors.
    You can wear runners. No obligation to wear spikes. You run faster in spikes but there’s no rule that you have to wear them.
    Run anti clockwise
    Don’t worry about being in the way of faster runners. If you’ve paid your fee to train then you are as much entitled to be there as anybody else. Run in lane 1 for your reps, and if doing jog recoveries, move out a few lanes for those.


  • #44
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    Is it every Thursday? What's the website for details?


  • #45
    jimmii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    clickerquicklic wrote: »
    Went over with my mate to try out this track last Thursday , we had a look online but must of missed that there was an event on. We went in and had a look around its great place , we where chatting previous to going in , neither of us have run on a track before the website says the track in 200 metres but to my untrained eye it looked 400m .

    We are slow runner so we where thinking we would try stay out of people's way then I realised you probably won't get gps indoors and if you run in the outside lanes how will we know how far we have run, then when we got there I looked down at my mucky Nike's wondering do you need to wear some sort of spikes or white soles?

    It is a little intimidating first time (even though we didn't get on the track) but that was just because we didn't know what we where doing but its like that going down to any new activity for the first time.

    Is the track 200m or 400m?
    Do you need to wear special runners?
    Should you run anti clockwise or clockwise?
    Should you take the outside lanes if you are slower? or do you move out of the way?

    I'm just talking about going to the track to do sessions like 12*400m when the weather is too bad. If anyone could help with them questions it would be obliged as couldn't find the answers on the website.
    Thanks

    You run anti-clockwise. Don't think anywhere runs clockwise anymore they used to back in the day though.
    You could get spikes but regular runners are grand just to give it a go.
    If you see someone coming through you can move over but otherwise just stay close to the inside. Make sure you move over early enough though so they don't start trying to go round.


  • #46
    Testosterscone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Testosterscone


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    Is it every Thursday? What's the website for details?

    https://www.nationalsportscampus.ie/nialive


  • #47
    Swashbuckler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭Swashbuckler


    Sounds like a fantastic initiative to be honest. Not sure how anyone can see any negatives to it. Seems like a great opportunity for people who would normally not have the opportunity to get a chance to race around a track. Will be having a chat with the missus for us to take a trip at some stage for definite.


  • #48
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    Testosterscone wrote: »
    https://www.nationalsportscampus.ie/nialive

    I think I'll go on the 25th. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Haha


  • #49
    Swashbuckler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭Swashbuckler


    jimmii wrote:
    I would love to do this! I used to be pretty competitive but picked up a few injuries but always loved it. Looking at the times they seem to be making sure each race is reasonably close which is good.

    Jaysus jimmii I didn't realise you were a runner too. Are you my evil twin?


  • #50
    jimmii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,810 ✭✭✭✭jimmii


    Swashbuckler wrote: »
    Jaysus jimmii I didn't realise you were a runner too. Are you my evil twin?

    Jaysus people were wondering where you were! You go out for a run and miss St Louis!

    I used to do a lot of running back in the day but picked up a pretty bad stress fracture from running in Kenya and never got back to it.


  • #51
    clickerquicklic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭clickerquicklic


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    Is it every Thursday? What's the website for details?

    https://www.nationalsportscampus.ie/niapayg

    That's the pay as you go site I was looking at , the schedule is not 100% clear it showed available and I got there and there was an event on and ended up running around Blanchardstown in shorts and tee shirt on one of the worst nights of the year. I'll ring ahead next time I'm planning on heading over.

    5 minute mile no chance! , I'd probably end up with vertigo doing 8 fast laps in a circle!

    Thanks lads for info.


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  • #52
    Swashbuckler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,583 ✭✭✭Swashbuckler


    jimmii wrote:
    Jaysus people were wondering where you were! You go out for a run and miss St Louis!

    Fecking missed it. Unsubscribed from that forum a while back so missed the updated thread. Anyway best not derail this one.


  • #53
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    clickerquicklic wrote: »
    https://www.nationalsportscampus.ie/niapayg

    That's the pay as you go site I was looking at , the schedule is not 100% clear it showed available and I got there and there was an event on and ended up running around Blanchardstown in shorts and tee shirt on one of the worst nights of the year. I'll ring ahead next time I'm planning on heading over.

    5 minute mile no chance! , I'd probably end up with vertigo doing 8 fast laps in a circle!

    Thanks lads for info.

    Last week I'd have been last or second last in race 2 of the mile...but now I'm curious. Maybe I could talk Roland Deschaine and Lazare into trying it. I'll leave you to challenge Damo! :-p


  • #54
    adrian522
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,576 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    Last week I'd have been last or second last in race 2 of the mile...but now I'm curious. Maybe I could talk Roland Deschaine and Lazare into trying it. I'll leave you to challenge Damo! :-p

    It's a great idea to get a few people who are at around the same standard to go so at least you know you'll have someone to race against.

    I'm going to head out again on the 25th anyway.


  • #55
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    adrian522 wrote: »
    It's a great idea to get a few people who are at around the same standard to go so at least you know you'll have someone to race against.

    I'm going to head out again on the 25th anyway.

    I'd love it ....i think. Never ran a mile in my half century on this planet so I have no idea what I could do or how to pace it. I suppose I'll trust some online calculator of race paces.


  • #56
    adrian522
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,576 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    I'd love it ....i think. Never ran a mile in my half century on this planet so I have no idea what I could do or how to pace it. I suppose I'll trust some online calculator of race paces.

    I ended up running by feel more or less. As it's indoor you don't have a reliable pace from the watch. There is a clock at the finish line so you can judge by that but I was more running as hard as I thought I could get away with.

    I probably started to fast, backed off a bit too much in the middle and just emptied the tank in the last 2 laps.

    Good experience though. I'd recommend it.


  • #57
    S.L.F.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 282 ✭✭S.L.F.


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    Sorry at what point did I say you criticised him. I simply reinforced your praise.

    Sorry if you think I was trying to make you out to be a villain. I made it clear I disagreed with you as regards the competitive nature we all have. Every training log makes reference to times, paces and targets.

    Really, what were the inverted commas around the ''supported'' about?

    What has our training logs got to do with this track, you've lost me.

    My argument was and still is that the mass population of runners are fun runners and in my opinion fun runners are anyone who cant run a 7 minute mile or better and they make up most of the runners in mass races. These are the ones paying for boot camps, expensive gadgets, Nike gear etc. and to them its an outlet or basically a hobby or health kick be it mental or physical.

    This track will not be making their money off them.

    It will however take off in regards to competitive runners or club runners who are in that circuit and its great to celebrate a new training ground for athletes...we certainly need more of them.

    I have never said that there is anything wrong with being competitive in races. Some people are not and its very difficult for competitive runners to understand that.


  • #58
    The Muppet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,008 ✭✭✭✭The Muppet


    I think this is a great initiative, I'm definitely firmly in the fun runner category but like most runners I aspire to be as good a runner as I can be and anything that helps with that is worthy of support. At €10 it's good value , you wouldn't get around of golf or a few games of snooker for that. Definitely will give it a lash some night for the crack.


  • #59
    skyblue46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,805 ✭✭✭skyblue46


    S.L.F. wrote: »
    Really, what were the inverted commas around the ''supported'' about?

    What has our training logs got to do with this track, you've lost me.

    My argument was and still is that the mass population of runners are fun runners and in my opinion fun runners are anyone who cant run a 7 minute mile or better and they make up most of the runners in mass races. These are the ones paying for boot camps, expensive gadgets, Nike gear etc. and to them its an outlet or basically a hobby or health kick be it mental or physical.

    This track will not be making their money off them.

    It will however take off in regards to competitive runners or club runners who are in that circuit and its great to celebrate a new training ground for athletes...we certainly need more of them.

    I have never said that there is anything wrong with being competitive in races. Some people are not and its very difficult for competitive runners to understand that.

    The quotation marks were simply to quote you.

    The relevance of the training logs are that they indicate that most people have goals and targets to improve. This could be seen as an indication of competitiveness even if it is only against the clock or themselves.

    I don't see why anyone who can run a seven minute mile or better suddenly disqualifies themselves from having fun when they run or that they are not genuine fun runners or hobbyists.

    If people took the view that Parkrun would only be populated by club runners it would never have reached the levels it has now. It's the people who attend who decide the standard. People of all levels show up so it makes it a convivial event for everyone. Similarly if everyone of different abilities showed up at NIA live there would be races for each standard. The challenge for the organisers is to get that message across. How they go about it will decide the success or otherwise of the venture.

    I understand not everybody is competitive but my experiences are that most people are. I've seen so many people try to raise a sprint at the end of a Parkrun, 5k, 10k etc no matter how far down the field they finish. This is a little competitive streak.


  • #60
    Testosterscone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Testosterscone


    skyblue46 wrote: »
    I understand not everybody is competitive but my experiences are that most people are. I've seen so many people try to raise a sprint at the end of a Parkrun, 5k, 10k etc no matter how far down the field they finish. This is a little competitive streak.

    +1 I think the non competitive things is a bit of a fallacy to be honest.

    - The two biggest running facebook groups in Ireland have approximately 14,000 combined members. Most of these would consider this to be the mass participation element i.e non competitive yet I would say 60% of posts are pictures of Garmins and times etc and people pushing themselves to new PB's. to put them numbers into perspective that would represent approximately 1/3 of all registered eligible runners (not including juvenile members as they would not be representative of the demographic on these face book pages)

    - Parkrun which is the largest grass route mass participation organization in this country and the world. This lists finishing position, age grading and even lists new PB's. It has to be advertised differently but it is ultimately competition and attracts people as a result of what they offer.

    - Garmin, Strava etc all include personal record functionality

    - Biggest thing that has driven prices in mass participation is chip timing. This has become the norm in races and most people wont touch a race without them now because times matter to them. Chip timing is a recent development to enable those who are not vying for top positions to still be able to competitively evaluate their performance.

    Ultrapercy's comments about competitiveness are valid and the fact is that it's the only sport where the competitiveness has to be hidden to be acceptable to the general public just because they think that they can't seen to be competitive unless they hit a certain time but truth is that striving for the improvement is the big defining point between competing and completing, not time.


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  • #61
    Chivito550
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,697 ✭✭✭Chivito550


    S.L.F. wrote: »
    Really, what were the inverted commas around the ''supported'' about?

    What has our training logs got to do with this track, you've lost me.

    My argument was and still is that the mass population of runners are fun runners and in my opinion fun runners are anyone who cant run a 7 minute mile or better and they make up most of the runners in mass races. These are the ones paying for boot camps, expensive gadgets, Nike gear etc. and to them its an outlet or basically a hobby or health kick be it mental or physical.

    This track will not be making their money off them.

    It will however take off in regards to competitive runners or club runners who are in that circuit and its great to celebrate a new training ground for athletes...we certainly need more of them.

    I have never said that there is anything wrong with being competitive in races. Some people are not and its very difficult for competitive runners to understand that.

    You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about faster runners. In my experience most people who run do so because they enjoy it. Whether that’s fast runners (a relative term) or slow runners, it makes no difference. Most people choose a sport because they like it. Nobody at NIA Live will be making Olympic finals. Everybody has their own goals, but it’s the enjoyment of the sport that keeps them in it.


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