The Pack Rules

What Steps Do You Take to Ensure a Good Race?

2009-06-23T12:11:05-04:00

When it comes to racing, nothing guarantees success. Sadly, you can do everything "right" and still have a bad day.

Despite this—or maybe because of it—we runners tend to stick to a routine in the days, hours, and minutes leading up to a race, and during the race itself. We control what we can, leaving as little to chance as possible.

So: How do you make sure you run your best race? (Besides training properly, of course.)

For instance, what do you do in the week leading up to a race? The night before? The morning of?

What do you eat and drink before a race? When do you pin your bib number on? What shoes do you race in?

How soon before the race do you hit the Porta Potty? Where do you line up? Do you start out slower than goal pace, then speed up? Or start as fast as you can and try to "bank" some time?

Do you use an MP3 player, such as an iPod? Ever take mid-race bathroom breaks? Do you carry your own drinks and gels, or use what's on the course? Do you speed up when you see the finish line and try to pass people in the last 100 yards?

Share your "good race" strategies with us, and we'll choose the best ones for an upcoming article in Runner's World magazine. Just leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below.

Note: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence.

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

How Do You Deal With Embarrassing Running Problems?

2008-12-15T10:53:21-05:00

Whoops... Was that us? We beg your pardon.

But now that we have your attention: We're working on a story about how you deal with embarrassing running problems, and we'd like your help.

Specifically...

1. What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you as a runner, and how did you deal with it? (Ever made a pit stop in the bushes only to have a troop of Girl Scouts march by? Eaten too many beans the night before a long run and passed gas for 14 miles? Etc.)

2. What's your stance on nose-blowing etiquette on the run?

3. How do you deal with black or missing toenails during sandal season?

4. Tell us your most embarrassing running story—that you won't mind seeing in print! We'll choose the best ones for an upcoming article in Runner's World magazine. Just leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below.

Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence.

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

Are You a Lifelong Runner?

2008-09-30T16:28:26-04:00

Attention, readers!

We're working on a story about how to stay motivated to run for the rest of your life, and we'd like your help. We're looking for tips from lifelong runners—people who took up the sport decades ago and have managed to stay with it despite life changes like kids, new jobs, moves to new cities, etc.

Doesn't matter if you're 80 years old, or 40—all we care about is that running has been a constant in your life for many years.

If this sounds like you, tell us...

1. How many years have you been running?
2. What's the longest break you've ever taken from running?
3. Why has running been such a consistent part of your life?
4. How has your running evolved over time?

Just leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Or, if you prefer, e-mail them to rwedit@rodale.com (write LIFE-LONG RUNNER in the subject line). Please include your name, age, and hometown. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

How Do You Save Money?

2008-09-12T10:49:43-04:00

It's no secret that times are tough.

With gas and energy costs high, food prices rising, and the economy on shaky ground, most of us are doing what we can to scrimp and save.

What we're wondering is: Does this scrimping and saving extend to your running? Are you finding creative ways to stretch your running dollar just a bit further? (Racing less often, or closer to home? Searching harder for discounts on shoes and gear? Whipping up homemade energy bars?)

If so, we'd love to hear your money-saving tips. We'll choose the best ones for an upcoming article in Runner's World magazine. Just leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

Do You Run to Work?

2008-08-26T12:18:14-04:00

Do you ever run to work? (Running after a bus doesn't count; we're talking about running all the way!) If so, we'd love to hear your story—possibly for an upcoming article in Runner's World.

Specifically, we're wondering...

1. How many miles do you run to work on a single day?
2. Do you run the same distance home—or do you catch a ride or take public transportation home?
3. How many days a week do you run to work?
4. When did you start running to work?
5. What was your reason for starting to run to work?
6. What is the most challenging aspect of your foot commute?
7. What is the best aspect?
8. How long do you expect to continue running to work?

Leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

How Do You Recover?

2008-08-24T11:51:00-04:00

You've just run a super-hard workout, or race. What do you do next? We want to know exactly how you speed recovery after a tough effort. Take the poll below and let us know.

Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

poll by twiigs.com

How Do You Tough It Out?

2008-06-18T13:42:42-04:00

When the going gets tough in a workout or a race, what mental tricks do you use to stay focused and positive? Do you repeat a mantra? Do you distract yourself by counting footfalls? Do you imagine yourself surging past competitors and breaking the finish line tape?

We want to hear what mind games work for you.

Leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

How Do You Handle the Heat?

2008-04-24T11:37:25-04:00

Hello!

After a brief hiatus, The Pack Rules is back - and once again, we'd like to tap into the collective wisdom of you, our readers.

This time around, we'd like to know how you deal with running and racing in the heat:

What changes do you make to your running?
What time of day do you run?
What do you wear?
How much more do you drink before and during your run?
Do you step up mileage because it's nice out, or do you back off because it's too hot?
If you race in the summer, what distances do you go for? How does the heat affect your pace?

Leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks!

-The editors of Runner’s World

What Keeps You Running?

2008-01-08T17:27:57-05:00

(Apart from the Doobie Brothers, of course.)

Seriously, what does keep you running – especially when the weather isn't so great, or you're tired, or your to-do list is a mile long? We'd like to know.

We’ll print the very best of your responses in the magazine -- so if you do respond, please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence.

So, tell us...

How do you get out the door when it’s too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy?
Do you train for races to stay motivated?
If so, how does competition help motivate you?
How do other runners inspire you?
What’s your primary motivation for running—to lose weight, relieve stress, stay fit, run really fast?
Music-listeners, what kind of music do you listen to?
How do you reward yourself after a hard effort?

Leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World

RELATED

What Do YOU Eat?

2007-12-13T17:28:28-05:00

Hello there!

Thanks very much for all the great responses to our last question. ("What’s the Best Way to Run a 5-K?") For our next round of user-submitted tips, we'd like to know a little bit about what you eat, and when. (And why!) We’ll print the very best of your responses in the magazine -- so if you do respond, please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence.

So, let us know...

What do you eat and drink before you run, and how soon before you run do you eat and drink it?
How long does your run have to be before you decide to eat/drink during your run, and what do you eat and drink?
Do you carry food and drink while you run?
How soon after you finish running do you eat, and what do you typically eat?
Do you change what you eat and drink during your training?
Do you have any problems with any particular foods?
Do you have any “special reward” foods for completing tough workouts or long races?

Leave your responses in the Comments section of this blog, below. Remember: Please include your first and last name, and city and state of residence. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

-The editors of Runner’s World