Talk to Other Runners

It’s Not My Fault If You Choose To Follow My Husband’s Advice

Issue #2

Talk to Other Runners

I’m not a very outgoing person, especially if I don’t know you. I don’t typically like meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone. This very much includes talking to complete strangers. However, running ultras has sorta changed that part of me. I still don’t talk to lots of people, but I race-chat a lot more now than I ever did when I started this back in 2011. And I really enjoy it. The talking may be just for five minutes while our paces match or it may end up being 85 miles (a 15+ hour date!). There are so many different reasons for race-chatting. I’ll try to get all the angles on why you should talk to other runners while you run. They are in no particular order, except when I quiz you on them at the next race.

• Pass the time

    Talking to others will keep your mind off the pain, suffering, boredom, low points, etc. that you might be enduring. Before you know it, you’ve gone 10 miles and it happened so effortlessly.

• They feel better

I can’t confirm this one. And I know what assuming does, but I’m assuming that they feel good too since I do.

• You know you’re running the right pace

When you can carry a conversation without constantly losing your breath, you’re going at a pace that can be continued for a long time. One of my hugest advices is to run at conversation pace.

• You get to know someone new/make friends

Now that we’re adults, we kinda suck at making new friends. You may never hear from this person again. You may end up being bff’s. They may be a name you’ve heard of but now can put a face to (unless you’re a Facebook stalker). Maybe you already sorta know them, but now you can find out something more. And maybe you like them enough that you want to spend the rest of your life running with them and Rob Goyen marries the two of you after you finish your first 50-miler as a couple.

• Gives you a break/picks up your pace

Sometimes we’re silly and don’t correctly pace ourselves even though we know better. This can be your opportunity to slow down and give your muscles a chance to recharge. Or it might be that someone faster came by and you picked up your pace to run with them for 10 minutes and that got you out of your walking rut.

• You’re not gonna win anyway, so have some fun

With the exception of a few people in each race, none of us really expect to win. We’re out there to challenge ourselves. Going a little slower at one point isn’t going to ruin your race or be a pace killer. It might be just what you needed when you’re at a low point at your race and you reflect back on this fun memory that your new friend shared earlier that day.

• You get to see that your race/distance is not the only one out there

Races with varying distances usually have staggered start times so not everyone is crammed onto the narrow trails in one spot at one time. Maybe you never knew of 50-mile or 100-mile races. Talking to one of these “crazies” might spark your curiosity and cause you to discover what your real limits are and become one of these normal people.

• You feel better (aka-the selfish reason)

According to a show I used to watch, there is no such thing as a selfless act. The real reason why you are nice and talk to others while running (whether you think of this or not, but now you will) is because it makes you feel better. And races are so much easier to endure if you just feel good all the time.

I am certain that the coolest and most interesting people are found on the trails. You just have to talk to them to discover it for yourself (and help them to discover you).