15 Things Your Fellow Marathoners Won’t Tell You During the Race
There are many things your fellow marathoners won’t tell you during the race, just as there are many they won’t tell you before the race.
In truth, it’s the “during” part of the race where they have the most to tell you — but won’t.
But, I will. I am compelled to tell you. Your fellow marathoners want you to know, and I’m their messenger.
1. Please turn down your music.
I know. Running or walking to a particular beat can be very powerful. Unfortunately, you’re getting carried away with the volume, and you cannot hear me as I yell to you “on your left” or “on your right” before trying to pass you.
2. Please don’t hog the road.
It’s cool that you’re running or walking the marathon with your friends, but your running or walking three- or five-abreast is blocking me from going past you when I have one of those rare but merciful bursts of energy during the race.
3. Please step aside when you must stop during the marathon.
It might be safe at mile 25 to come to a dead stop in the middle of the road, especially if you’re close to the six-hour mark and everyone around you looks like a zombie. Otherwise, challenge yourself a little by stepping out of the way of others before you stop during the race. I don’t want to waste energy by going around you.
4. Please don’t spit right in front of me.
Seriously?! If you have to spit, then go to the side of the road. I don’t want to feel the mist of your spit (Yuck!), and I don’t want to step in it during the marathon, either.
5. Please mind your arms.
Before you give a vigorous wave to a spectator or you give a high-five to a volunteer or another marathoner, please check whether you’re about to elbow me in the face.
6. Please mind your feet.
When I am in front of you, please don’t to get so close behind me that you step on the heel of one of my shoes. And, when you’re crossing in front of me, please try not to step on my toes.
7. Please don’t cut me off.
Speaking of crossing in front of me, please give me enough clearance so that I don’t have to slow down or step aside abruptly. Again, it’s that whole thing about avoiding excess stress and wasted energy.
8. Please share an encouraging word or two.
You don’t, strictly speaking, owe anyone an encouraging word or two. But, you know that what goes around comes around, so please use the Law of Attraction in your favor by telling me “You can do this.” or something similar when you see me flagging or slowing down during the marathon. And, as odd as it may seem, encouragement from a total stranger can be even more powerful than from a friend or family member.
9. Please acknowledge in some way my encouragement of you.
In turn, when I encourage you — with my own “Looking good” or “Way to stay strong” or something similar — please show or tell me in some way that you heard me. Again, you don’t owe that to me, but it helps me to keep going when I know that I have helped someone else to keep going.
10. Please don’t stop at the front of the water station when there are “open” volunteers toward the end of the station.
Otherwise, you’re helping to block the road. Enough said.
11. Please thank the volunteers.
Most marathons could not exist without volunteers. If you think that your marathon entry fee was high, imagine the price if there were no volunteers. Be grateful for the volunteers.
12. Please watch where you’re tossing your drink cup.
I bathed the night or morning before the race, and I don’t need a soap-free bath now — especially if it’s with some sports drink. Plus, your drink cup and its contents can be slipping hazards.
13. Please call out hazards.
Speaking of hazards, please say “Uneven!” or “Gravel!” or whatever else is appropriate as you step around a hazard. You are practicing this on your group training runs or walks, aren’t you?
14. Please move to the slower lane when we’re all overtaking you.
Here’s a hint: If 30 of us are all “changing lanes” to get past you, then you’re in the faster lane, even if it is imaginary. Please join the slower lane of runners or walkers until you get another burst of energy.
15. Please don’t hit me when you overtake me.
First, I wasn’t expecting the hit. Second, a marathon is stressful enough without a jab to the ribs. Third, you CAN give yourself plenty of room before you pass me.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
As a messenger from your fellow marathoners, I hope that you won’t shoot the messenger. In fact, maybe YOU have had some of the same thoughts about the behavior of some of your fellow athletes during your marathons. Overall, I’d say that endurance runners and walkers are some of the kindest and most polite people you could ever meet. So, my hope is that this list continues in that vein!
Up Next: At the End of the Race
This is the second of three articles about things your fellow marathoners won’t tell you. The next and final one will be about things they won’t tell you AT THE END of the race. In the mean time, what would you add to this second list? Am I on point, or would you modify something that I said? Please post your comment below. Thanks!
