Up For Debate: "Passing!"

A few weeks ago, one of the women in my online running group posted this story about a Negative Nancy she encountered during a trail race:

This led to a bit of a debate in the comments (all very cordial, of course).

Most of us were surprised that Negative Nancy was obviously so offended at being warned that she was being passed. Isn't it good etiquette to warn runners that you're passing, especially on a narrow trail?

Some runners, however, opined that they never warn that they're passing, especially in a trail race because headphones usually aren't allowed and their upcoming footsteps can be heard clearly. Still others said they only warn that they're passing if there's limited space to do so. A couple said that they cough or purposely make noise to passively warn runners they're coming, but rarely fully announce themselves.

Originally, I felt like I warn people when I'm passing 90% of the time. But the more I thought about it, I realized that that's not true. I only warn people if I'm going to have to make a narrow dodge between them, or if they begin to meander into my path at the last minute.

Then of course I got to thinking about the fact that announcing rarely works out anyway, since people only have a split second to react, and then this happens.

Either way, passing is necessary sometimes, and announcing you're passing isn't meant to be rude. But is it necessary?

Negative Nancy may have been having a bad day, or maybe the original "Passing!" comment sounded harsh because some of us tend to shout when we're running without meaning to. (I'm pretty sure I announced at the top of my lungs, "I'm stuffing ice down my shorts!" at BDR last weekend.) Maybe she was new to trail racing - or racing in general - and didn't know the etiquette; she may have felt singled out. There are many reasons for her overreaction, but the question remains: is announcing that you're passing necessary etiquette, or not?

What do you guys think? Do you announce when you're passing other runners? Do you prefer to be warned if you're going to be passed?

ABK

Gasparilla Distance Classic 15k

Our girls' weekend in Tampa began Friday night with a very long drive. We left with plenty of time to arrive at the expo at 7, an hour before it closed. But due to some ridiculous traffic, we literally parked and sprinted to the expo and arrived as the doors were closing!

We slipped through the last open door and ignored the guard who called after us, "It's over, ladies!" We were able to grab our bibs and shirts as the announcement was made that the expo was closed, just in the nick of time!

A sigh of relief! We got our bibs and shirts just in time!

We took some extra time to find our names on the giant banner.

We had a nice big dinner at Outback - I haven't eaten there in forever! - and fell asleep way too late for our 5am wakeup the next morning.

Sweet potato, steak, and shrimp...Now that's a good pre-race dinner!

Back at the hotel, we got our stuff ready for the morning and took a look at the race shirts. They were really cute this year!

Flat-Ali is ready for the 15k!

The half shirt is long-sleeved and the 5k is short; it's a nice little combo there!

With all that taken care of, there was nothing left to do but get some shut-eye.

Saturday's 5am wakeup came way too quickly, and it was cold! We got to the Convention Center around 6am for our 6:45 start time.

Pre-race picture!

Don't laugh...this was cold for us!

We crowded into the corrals and started on our way. Mari took off, her usual speedy self, and Kristin and I stuck together at a nice conservative pace. The course was beautiful and flat, and the sunrise was gorgeous over the water.

The race was very well-organized and we had a blast. We were wearing our GGM shirts and had a few conversations with fellow runners about Ragnar. Kristin and I kept an eye open for Mari at the turnaround, which was a nice distraction, and even though we'd planned to run an easy race all throughout, we couldn't help but sprint into the finish together.

This was probably one of the most crowded races I've ever been to. Although I loved having a crowd around the entire time, one of the problems of big races like this is that many of the runners don't follow proper race etiquette. Walkers didn't move to the side or signal; many stopped directly past the finish line and I literally collided with people as I crossed. But overall, the entire race was fantastic!

I don't really know how many were in my division or gender etc...I wasn't really worried about rankings for this race.

I don't have a lot to say about race strategy or anything today because our goal was just to not push too hard, bearing in mind that we had a half to run the next day.

We had breakfast at Daily Eats, then went back to the hotel for showers and naps before heading back to the expo. It's funny how a 15k didn't even feel that far and I had no problem walking around afterward.

You've gotta love a menu with "gluten free" clearly labeled!

I had a goat cheese and spinach omelet with avocado and bacon added, plus cheesy grits!

While Mari and Kristin got massages, I wandered the expo and did a little shopping. Matt's brother and his boyfriend Robby are in Florida for a really short time so they were able to stop by and say hello quickly before we girls took the trolley to Channelside for dinner.

A quick "hello" with the boys.

Our lovely view of Tampa.

Dinner was more sushi than I could comfortably fit in my stomach.

Given how hectic Friday was, it was really nice to have the evening to relax and plan for Sunday's race...but that's another post to come! (I'll be out of town for work stuff so the half post will have to wait a couple days!)

ABK

Some Levity

As I was scrolling through my twitter feed this afternoon (ah, the joys of winter break, when all grading is finished and report card comments are entered!), I came across a link from Runner's World that promised great laughs.

How could I resist?

The links within were all from Remy's World; they are author Mark Remy's list of his favorite posts from the past year. (If you've never checked out Remy's World, I highly recommend it.)

Anyway, as I was scrolling through, I came across a post that felt like it was made for me. And by "made for me", I mean "made for any runner who has ever run in a race. Ever." How many of us have finished a race and immediately begun to whine about the old man threw a 'bow at the water station, or the jogging stroller that kept bumping runners off the sidewalk? Remy has put together an awesome Running Violation Ticket we can use on these lawless runners, and just reading it and know I'm not alone in my frustration has brightened my day.

Click for original post.

I especially love that my biggest pet peeve is the first on the list: stopping in front of other runners sans warning is an infraction worth a $20 fine. My favorite, though, is the one that carries the heftiest price tag because, while you may not see it often, it's just so ridiculous when you do. Click the photo for a larger version and enjoy a few minutes of laughter on this Friday afternoon.

These violations occur most often at big races that attract a slew of non-serious runners: Turkey Trots, Komen races, and the like.

I'm tempted to print multiple copies of this and hand them out mid-race to those who can't seem to get a handle on basic race etiquette. Can you imagine? I'm in tears just thinking about it.

ABK