Takbo101: Runner’s Etiquette – Part 1

Running is also a gentleman’s sport.  Not many of us knew this, but there are unwritten rules once you start taking yourself out for a run. Below is a list of etiquette that I took from the book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jogging and Running” by Bill Rodgers.  This is a great book about running for idiots, i mean, for beginners.  Some sounds pretty basic, while some I have just read for the first time.

1. When you’re in the company of other runners, it’s common runner’s etiquette to talk about PRs only if you are asked.In my case, I don’t want being asked.  Hehehe…
2. When you’re overtaking runners or other runners, especially on a narrow path, alert them by saying, “On your left” when you are a few steps away from passing them.  Otherwise, they might be startled if you suddenly breeze by them.Please do this.  You don’t want to hear me throw curses and call names when I am startled.  A greeting, like good morning, will also do.
3. When you’re running on the track, it’s common runner’s etiquette to cede the inside lanes to faster runners.  If you hear someone from behind you yell, “Track!” that means to move to the outside to let them through.  If other people are on the track doing your speed workouts, do you recovery jogs in the outside lanes so that you don’t get in their way.You don’t want someone reminding you how slow you are.  Find the lane that goes with your pace.
4. Common runner’s etiquette is to let the slowest member of the group to set the pace, rather than everyone straining to keep up with the fastest member of the group.Finally, something to make all things equal.  And it is great to run together as a group.
5. Line up with others who are going to be running at your predicted pace.  If you start too far up front in the pack, you force faster runners to weave around you.  This is discourteous to them and can be dangerous to you.  Also, if you start too far in the front, you’ll probably be hooked into starting at too fast of a pace and will suffer more at the end of the race because of it.Take it from the expert.  Don’t learn this one the hard way.
6. T-shirts from old races are the runner’s unofficial uniform, but be careful what you wear when: It’s an unstated, but universal rule that a real runner never wears the shirt from a race in that year’s event.  You’ll look a lot cooler if you have on the shirt from the same race of a few years ago, or better yet, some obscure race from years ago.This sounds weird.  I wonder if it applies well to Philippines races.
7. Races dont’ just get put on by magic.  Any runner who attends races should volunteer at a race at least once a year.  Volunterring at races is a good way for injured runners to stay connected to their sport.This is a great idea that we all should try.  I might volunteer for one this year.
8. Young runners should learn from day one a fundamental bit of runner’s etiquette – to shake hands with the runners who place just ahead and behind of them after the finish of the race.  This action encourages good sportmansip and reinforces the notion that everyone in a race competes against themselves and the contditions, as well as other runners.This is something I really find important.  I hope to finish with Pia ahead of me, and Karylle behind me.  Yeah baby.