Obstacle races. Back when they first started to get popular, I did a Warrior Dash race and I remember thinking "This is going to be so cool! The website has lead me to believe this is a hardcore challenge!". Then on race day I lined up with a bunch of drunk non-runners and within 5 minutes I was standing in a line to crawl through cow shit and I realized I was a huge sucker.
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| I paid 65 bucks for the privilege of scraping my knees in a vat of cow shit |
There are obstacle races that present an actual physical challenge (like the Tough Mudder) but those races seem to enjoy putting the runners in dangerous situations, like making them run through live wires and proudly displaying photos on their website of people being taken away in arm splints on stretchers. I love running way too much to risk getting some dumbass injury from a manufactured obstacle.
Color Runs. You may have not heard of these, but it's an untimed 5K and they throw colored dust on you. That's it. That's the whole gimmick and these things SELL OUT. I don't get it. You pretty much lost me at "untimed".
First of all, 5Ks aren't supposed to be fun. It's 3.1 miles of hard running. I don't pay money to pussy foot around and hold hands with strangers instead of running to the best of my ability on that particular day. I've run 5Ks pregnant and running those 3 miles when I'm not allowed to go all out was so boring, I can't imagine paying extra for that level of "fun".
Don't even get me started on how getting colored shit thrown on you is "fun". You know who thinks that kind of thing is fun? Toddlers. That's because they don't have to do their own laundry.
Relay races. Things like Ragnar are really popular right now and I feel like I've read about so many relay races that I basically have that sweaty runner van smell on me. If you're not familar with this type of race, here it is in a nutshell: You and 12 (or 6 if you're HARDCORE) of your friends, but more likely absolute strangers, pile in white vans and run 200ish miles by each taking turns, all day and night. When you're not running, you sit in the increasingly smelly, sweaty van and have forced small talk with the other runners and fight over the good parts of the Chex Mix.
Since you have to wait long periods of time between your runs (just enough time to get stiff and cranky!), you are allowed to sleep, but good luck with that. But don't worry! Eventually you all get to cross the finish line together and shed girlish tears over the majestic feat of running 200 miles in a fucking sparkle skirt.
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| Gurrrrl power! |
Also, I'm not running at 2am unless I'm running an ultra. There is no way in hell I'm going to run 7 miles at 2am, that's just stupid. Running 100 miles is logical compared to that, at least then I'm losing a whole night of sleep for a good reason.
Any Hot Chocolate or RAM racing event. Ever. I've learned my lesson.
Rock and Roll race series. I have nothing negative to say about how these races are organized (some of them have issues, but all large events do), but I refuse to do them. Why? I hate people.
Everything about these events is dealing with crowds, from packet pickup to the finish line. These races are fun for some people, but I'll stick to small races with race day packet pick up, even if that means I won't get good "swag" or see some washed up band play for me as I elbow my way through a sweaty crowd in a post-race "beer garden".
Now that I've recorded all of these, someone can pull this up as a reference of my hypocrisy if I ever do these races in the future. I feel pretty safe though, unless the pain from my rib area makes me lose all reason and I start to think an untimed all night relay race sounds awesome.
In case anyone was wondering, my abdominal sonogram was fine this morning, but I won't know the results until Thursday morning. Until then, I have my new smug hipster shoes to give me comfort.
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| Giraffe shoes! |
What's your opinion on any of the above races? If you just ran a relay race in a sparkle shirt, I apologize for any offense.
as someone who helps direct races I have issue with a lot of these races because they are all for profit and that kind of pisses me off, the purpose to go run is to get out do something healthy and competitive and know you are supporting something, heck even trail runs go to the parks but these dont have to donate anything! eck
ReplyDeletei think the color run was a scam because they sold out when the prices where low and than all the sudden when the prices jumped up they had more openings, of course they did!
with that said, i signed up for one obstacle to try it out and I love our local brew to brew relay because its more about having a blast with people and giving a lot of money to an awesome cause! oh and its all about beer and shitty food over a half of day not several!
I'm with you on preferring races that are for a good cause! Most of the trail ultras benefit a park or natural area and I pretty much only run 5Ks that are for a good cause (like the humane society or a youth group)
DeleteWhere's the fucking baby pictures and dog pictures? This blog fails to deliver.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you're fat.
You're short.
DeleteI basically agree with you on all fronts. I'll stick with the races that aren't frickin cattle calls and aren't all for profit for a dumb gimmick (colored powder, hot chocolate, etc). I learned my lesson on that one the hard way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how is an untimed race considered a race?? Punks.
DeleteIt's all about fun, not silly things like pace or PRs.
DeleteI did a mud run last summer with a team of my neighbors. I thought it was fun, and though I am an average (to below average) runner, I was pretty annoyed by people who have NO level of physical fitness who participated. It's practically advertised that you don't need to be fit to participate, which is not true. But at the same time, I do think anyone can do a 5k with a little bit of training.
ReplyDeleteI'm mostly annoyed by those unfit people who hold up the race and then brag for like a year about how hardcore they are for doing a mud run.
DeleteI did the Ragnar Chicago this June - I had fun with my teammates, but we very underwhelmed with the whole organization of the race for what we spent. Our team was screwed over with our start time and no one bothered to let us know it might be a problem. We ended up being one of the last teams on the course, never really got to run with other teams/runners and had to skip legs to make up for it. <---not super fun to deal with when you are tired and your van smells like 6 sweaty crotches.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it was over 90 degrees when we finished and one of our teammates had heat stroke - there was no ice or cold water anywhere at the finish! The medical 'tent' was a stretcher with no shade and one dude with a stethoscope who I'm not sure was really a doctor. But they had a GIANT merch area. Priorities!
You also never get to see your other van execpt the 2 seconds you are together at an exchange, so it's pointless to have 12 people.
I've done the RnR Chicago race twice and I'm done. Too expensive and too many people. Organization was fine, it's just not for me.
I haven't done any of the others. Not interested in paying to break my ankle or to blow a rainbow out of my nose.
Wow, Ragnar sounds even more fun than I had imagined!
DeleteAsk my husband and neighbors how much fun they had being our three "mandatory" volunteers. They were so disenchanted at the end they just stole a bunch of the runner swag and got some beer.
DeleteGuilty Guilty---I did both Hell Run (only race my hubby would ever do) and the Color Run. Oh--this weekend, doing Tap n Run as a girls night out. All gimmick, I know. But, to be fair, I don't even consider myself a real runner...yet.
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting that something called a "Hell Run" isn't only for hardcore diehard runners? :)
DeleteI once ran the Disney Princess race in a tutu. It was timed, it was expensive, it was crowded and I had to get up at the ungodly hour of 2:30am (after schlepping two kids through disney the day before) to start running at 5:30 so Disney could open the Magic Kingdom at it's regularly scheduled time. Oh, and we only ran through the Magic Kingdom for about .3 of a mile. The EPCOT finish line was set up in the parking lot. So, point of the story, is that you can add any Disney event to the list of races never to do. I did learn one valuable lesson however: I look cute in a tutu.
ReplyDeleteWell then, it wasn't a total waste. :)
Deletepics or it didn't happen
DeleteI totally agree. I have no interest in high profit, crowded or fad races. And I agree with your logic about Ragnar versus and ultra. Someday I'll have the time to devote to an ultra and while I think a relay with friends would be fun, I don't have friends so it would probably be miserable.
ReplyDeleteSome coworkers are doing an obstacle mud run at a winery and they are the very reason I would never consider it. That day I'll be running a half marathon with a timing chip for a pr, not spending $80 to run an untimed race as an excuse to get hammered after.
Mud runs are essentially outdoor concerts: you're paying to get drunk, other activities don't matter as much. :)
Deleteobstacle races? hell no...that would be where i would get an injury that would sideline me forever. no thanks.
ReplyDeletecolor run? boring.
a relay, i'd consider. maybe.
RnR...i do run the philly RnR each year but only b/c it's tradition. i MUCH preferred when it was the philly distance run...a small mom and pop race.
I haven't been running enough to have a traditional race so I'm safe there :)
DeleteWarrior Dash--fun, but I did it with my non-running husband so it was worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteRelay Races--no thanks. 2 days with strangers and no sleep? why? why?
Color "Races"--only with my kids if they insist.
Spartan Race--possibly, but also scared of the really-getting-hurt thing.
Warrior Dash is a good one to do with non-runners, but I'd find one with less cow poop for mud. :)
DeleteI agree on the color runs. They are not for me. The only good thing is that they do get people out moving and introduce people to our sport...better than sitting on the couch. The mud runs seems like a recipe for disaster. I get injured running in a circle on the track. I am not sliding through mud.
ReplyDeleteAND as you know, I respectfully disagree with you on the RNR/big city races. Yes, they are expensive and crowded but I really enjoy that energy. I get why you hate them though. I am enjoying the smaller/less commercialized races now- like the Leesburg 20K I ran this weekend. You would dig that event.
I did Ragnar last year and loved it. I think if you got a group of fun people together, you would really enjoy a relay. Or maybe not...I don't really want to be on your team to find that one out. Haha. Just teasing. I would be on your team anyday!
That Leesburg race looked fun! That is totally the type of event I love.
DeleteI think Ragnar could be really fun if I ran it with friends, but then I'd want to run WITH them and then we might as well all run an ultra together. :)
I did a Dirty Dash with my husband last year and he is convinced he got lip herpes from the mud and everyone else swam through too. I thought it was fun but not to the point where I will ever pay to do it again. and I don't really want lip herpes or any other kind.
ReplyDeleteColor runs..LAME they lost me at untimed too, totally loses meaning for me if we aren't going to time it and announce results.
Relays..how boring and stupid, all that sitting in a van and WAIT! ... I am leaving tomorrow to do my first and now that I have read this I will be picking the good pieces out of my Chex mix before I share it. I think I would rather ultra it. but I will have to survive this one before I really pass judgement. I hope my husband hasn't told them what a crab ass I am when I am tired and someone won't let me sleep.
Haha lip herpes! What fun swag!
DeleteMake sure you get all those good pumpernickel chips out of the Chex Mix before other people steal it all! :)
Confession: I did my first Relay this June. It was local, underwhelming and thankful I am still friends with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI had signed up for the Color Run but sold my bib when I realized how ridiculous it was. They just did Color Me Rad this last weekend and that race series is a joke - a 5K (it was 2.84 from what I heard) in a mall parking lot? Freaking awesome.....not.
I've done RnR VA Beach once and I've convinced Mandy she wants to go with me this year. Hope she doesn't mind people. I guess I am slow enough, I can get over it.
This post made my night.
Oh, and there is a Hot Chocolate coming here in November and I've pretty much pointed everyone I know locally to yours, Alyssa & Emily's blogs about it. Won't catch me there.
DeleteI think you know that I agree on all fronts. The only one I've done is a Ragnar and it was fun for the experience but never again. It was super expensive, we ran it as an 'ultra' (bc we are hardcore...haha!), it was a great group of women and we had fun but definitely not for me.
ReplyDeleteRagnar does seem really expensive, even beyond race fees because of the van rental, extra gear you might not have (like a headlamp), and all that Chex Mix. :)
DeleteI've done two relays and they were fun, but they were with actual friends who I know outside of running.
ReplyDeleteI like smaller events, too, unless I'm going to come in last (a distinct possibility around here).
Color run? I agree with whoever said above they'd do it with their kids, but otherwise....no.
And I will never run a race in a tutu, a sparkle skirt. I promise.
But how will you show off your gurrrrrrl power??
DeleteI have absolutely no desire to do any of these. I'm a cranky bitch who likes to run alone to relieve stress. Why would I want to do a relay? I won't even run with my fiance and I LIKE him.
ReplyDeleteColor runs look like the biggest piece of shit ever, (SERIOUSLY no timing? WHAT. THE. FUCK.) the mud runs are ACTUAL shit, and photos of people running in tutus raise my blood pressure.
The only one I would actually do is RnR Phoenix, but only because I would be able to convince my parents and brother to do it and I'm super freaking competitive.
RnR Phoenix is supposed to be a flat, nice course so at least you have that going for you!
DeleteOh, you're just a little ball of sunshine :)
ReplyDeleteGuilty on all accounts. I like the obstacle runs in doses because they're fun and I can do them with friends who aren't big into running. It's a good way to break friends into the environment. And as for relays, I haven't done one but I'd really like to do the one here in CO called the Wild West Relay. Starts in northern CO, heads into Wyoming, and then finishes in Steamboat. The motto is "Get Your Ass Over the Pass" because you go over Rabbit Ears Pass. I just think it sounds like a beautiful course! As for tutus? Did it once and I was miserable. Lesson learned. Never again.
Oh, but i refuse to do Ragnar Colorado. They came to CO, scouted the race course for the Colorado Relay, then stole the course and put it before the CO Relay so everyone registered for that instead, and now they've merged, effectively eliminating the race and replacing it with Ragnar. No bueno.
DeleteI would totally do a relay that started and finished in one day and didn't involve renting a rapist van.
DeleteWe need to do a 24-hr relay on the track. You can have 6hrs for your leg. Best, since you need practice running at night for your 100, you can have the midnight-to-6am shift. No van involved, see? Perfect.
DeleteMostly I just love that last e-card about the apology. I wish I had written it.
ReplyDeleteMe too, me too.
DeleteI don't get the color run.At all. I have done 2 Rock N' ROlls and never again. Way too expensive and way too many people. For the Seattle one, traffic was so bagged up at the start that we started 2 miles before the start?! Then my brother's girlfriend proceeded to pay another $20 for parking. I would like to know just where my money goes. At least when I do local events my money goes to local charities and it's not a total cattle. So over rated.
ReplyDeleteI cry inside every time I pay that much for parking. That's one perk of country living. :)
DeleteI love anything that encourages non-athletic people to dip their feet in the world of how awesome exercise is.
ReplyDeleteMe too. As long as they don't get in my way or slow me down.
DeleteRose does make a good point.
DeleteHey Susie Sunshine! I'm with Rose...though this post cracked me up. I've done a Mud Run that was seriously the hardest thing I've ever done. I did draw the line at the recent Color Run in my town. I do not need colored corn starch stuck to my contacts. I'm with you all the way on the relays. I need sleep. And I need it in a bed. Not in a smelly van. And I'm sure you remember my race report from the Hot Chocolate race. Those ass clowns (RAM Racing) are bringing an event to my city and I'm trying to decide if I should show up with a protest sign.
ReplyDeleteYou should totally protest! :)
DeleteNice shoes! I am a fan of TOMS, but you should know they get stinky quickly. Don't know about these races, but I'm doing the Disneyland half in 2 weeks. If it is terrible I'll be sure to complain about it.
ReplyDeleteStinky feet? I can't wait.
DeleteYou should see my above post.
DeleteAnything Disney will be crowded, over priced, and somehow convince serious runners (like myself) to wear a tutu. Funniest thing about the tutu, you will be the most underdressed one there. I saw numerous women dressed, full out as princesses. Belle was my favorite. But, one positive thing about a Disney race... you will place higher then you would otherwise, no matter how fast you are to start, because there are many many walkers and people actually wait on line (during the race!!!) to have their picture taken with Disney characters. Seriously. But I'm sure you'll have fun.
Aahahahaha, somtimes you need to get your cranky pants on - and this is perfect! I have nothing against those types of runs, but I can definitely see the problems you raise. I think you have to know what you're getting into!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I fully get that some people love these kind of races. Well, a lot of people actually since they are so crowded!
DeleteI've only run one race but I totally agree with you on all points!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I laughed so hard. Seriously, I cannot stand the women who wear sparkle tutus at races. Racing is supposed to be hard, not a freakin tea party.
ReplyDeleteWTF is with the color runs? It just sounds like a giant PITA...I heard that color does not come off easily.
I do think a relay could be fun with the right group of people, but definitely not strangers. What's the appeal of going to Hood to Coast to hang out with people you don't know??
I've run too many RnR races. I find that I get sucked into them because they do lots of advertising so friends and family are like "let's run this race!" and well, I can't say no to that. That's how I ended up in VA Beach last year, trapped TEN corrals back from where I should have been. :grumble:
VA RnR is especially bad because it's always Labor Day weekend, so you have race crowds and people trying to get one last beach weekend crowds. Ugh!
DeleteWe still have a spot open for Ragnar in Miami, Ashley!
DeleteI refuse to travel more than 20 miles to do a race. I'm not a professional runner, I'm not about to go all over the country just to pay to participate in a race that I will finish in 1,000th place.
ReplyDeleteThe only races I do are the half marathons that take place in Philly (where I live), and one of them happens to be an R&R race. Yes, it's crowded and overpriced, but the starting line is less than a mile from my house so I suck it up and do it every year.
In all honestly, I would probably do an RnR race if it was that close to my house too.
DeleteMy city's marathon and half marathon was taken over by RnR for this year. Neither my husband nor I are running it this year. Though I had a terrible experience pre-RnR last year, so maybe it will get better (for all that extra money). I'm sure I'll run it at some point...
ReplyDeleteAs for a Colour Run (yeah, with a u...bitches) I think they're probably great for non-runners, for people looking to participate in something with friends or kids, and for people without asthma. But as someone who hates having stuff stuck to my hands, who coughs whenever there's something weird in the air, and who likes my shirts white...not for me.
I think a relay, with the right people, sounds fun. There's one that goes along Route 100 in Vermont that I've been looking at for about a year now wondering about logistics. Maybe one year...(and hopefully before it gets bought out by Ragnar and the price goes up)
I figure I should try everything once before I decide if I hate it. I haven't done an RnR race, a color run, a mud run, an untimed race, a relay or anything where I pay extra to get stale chocolate at the end. YET. But this weekend I will squash my ass in a van with people I've never met and *horror of horrors* don a skirt of the sparkly variety. And I have every belief that it will be awesome.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I brought my own Chex. Seriously.
Well, I've done most of these races before (other than the Color Run and Ragnar) so I feel ok proclaiming my hate. :)
DeleteSeriously, the RnR - just go to the mall on Christmas Eve at 5pm and try to run, then go home and burn a $100 bill. Same exact experience.
DeleteAlyssa's summary (above) is pretty awesome. But if you run your marathon sub-3, that takes the crowding problem just about out of the picture during the race. However, it doesn't really do anything for the crowding problem during packet pickup and before the race (including the huge lines for port-o-potties).
DeleteI did Warrior Dash and didn't have a bad experience at all. Everyone around me was trying to finish fast. There was a little backup at the mud tent, but overall, I thought it was a lot of fun. But then again, I dressed up like a German beer wench and it's impossible to not have fun when dressed like a German beer wench. Take my word for it.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably do Tough Mudder at some point.
I had a friend of a friend do a color run. When she was done, her contacts were DYED yellow. No thank you.
I had a friend beg me to do Ragnar and I just couldn't. Nothing about that sounds appealing. And it's so expensive and I don't get along with people in tight spaces. Lord help anyone I get trapped in an elevator with because it's gonna be like the movie Devil up in there.
And as for RnR races, I've done two (Savannah and Las Vegas). I will never do one again unless it's free. They are WAY too crowded. In LV, I had to walk across the finish line because it was so backed up.
Thanks for opening up all those old wounds. ;-)
Walking across the finish sounds so...anti climatic haha
DeleteSo in actual fact, the reason you're an ultra runner is because the "crazy pool" of people is smaller and you don't have to deal with the larger crowds? :-P
ReplyDeleteHope there's some answers to your sonogram tomorrow :-/
You now know you are obligated to review your shoes.
Exactly, that's why being crazy is perfect if you hate people. :)
DeleteAfter working at a Ragnar, I'm pretty sure I don't want to run one. There were too many issues and too many people going to the hospital. I didn't realize that people would actually put 200 stickers on their cars. That is just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI have seen it in real life, not on the internet. It's a thing.
DeleteI thought the color run was the adult solution to the fact that it's no longer socially acceptable to go to those graffiti parties at frats once your are over the age of 20.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a time machine, I'd definitely go back in time and stop myself from signing up for Rock and Roll. Warrior dash was fun, but it's a one and done.
You are going to be totally jealous in January when you read all my recaps from Lily's 30th birthday Ragnar in Miami and realize that sleeping in a van is actually awesome. And then when it's time for our 100 miler I'll have ALL THE NIGHT RUNNING EXPERIENCE and you won't.
Wait, it's not ok that I went to the Sigma Pi graffiti party last night?
DeleteAmen, sister.
ReplyDeleteI tripped and almost killed myself on a lip in the sidewalk during my long run on Sunday -- there is no way I'm paying for additional "obstacles" to hurdle over, under, or through during a race.
I can understand the appeal of the Color Run and other frilly events, but I would hestitate to call them "races". I also choose not to participate in them, but as someone before said, I'm generally pro-things that get people active, even if it's a bit gimmicky.
And count me among the people who enjoy big races. I'm running the Philly marathon this year since my first marathon last year was in the countryside of Gettysburg where literally the only spectators for miles were my 4 family members. It was cool to be able to instantly find them, but I find I need the energy of other runners and anonymous spectators enough to put up with the annoying people. I'm running RnR Philly as a warm-up to the full considering a friend told me a lot of that course is also on the marathon.
This comment is entirely too long.
There is nothing I hate more than strangers yelling at me to run faster. I hear that some people like that, but it just irritates me.
DeleteYou would not believe how much pressure I get to enter all of the above mentioned races. To my dear runner friend who is obsessed with relays "HELL NO" I did a midnight one only because it was for a charity and they needed last minute help and I was beyond cranky!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I'm doing a Dirty Dash 5k the weekend my husband gets back which happens to be our anniversary (this translates into I guilted him into it). It's happening for 2 reasons, 1. I got us both registered for free! 2. He does not enjoy running so it's a way to convince him to do another run with me (he doesn't trust me as much after I tricked him into doing a marathon with me)
So as much as I don't like them it can be a good way for non runners to think about becoming runners!
It's definitely a gateway race for non-runners!
DeleteCheck out my race schedule, clearly I do not like people. I run ultras that have very small fields.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I did do that Tough Mudder. And yes they did try to kill me! and I have photos to prove it. But once was enough for me to learn that if I gete injuried I want it to be because I fell off the side of a mountain in the middle of the night during a 100 mile race. Then it would be worth it.
But at least if these gimmicky races keep growing then maybe that means fewer people signing up for my ultras. Yes, they are MY ultras.
I'll remember that when one day I sign up for one of your ultras :)
DeleteI'm back and forth on the big races. My very first race was a smaller one and wasn't very well put on. They were out of water on the first stop and the second and the third. (And yes, I was too stupid to know about water belts and handhelds at that time, I have wisened up now.) My second race was a RnR half (no full option) and that one was soooo much better. Then I did another RnR, this time the full, and it was terrible. Long story short, I have no clue what I like. But, you won't catch me at a color run or even a mud run, I don't like doing that much laundry. I will however don a sparkle skirt if the time feels right.
ReplyDeleteThe more races you do, the better idea you have of what you hate. :)
DeleteYES. Thank you. The Color Runs are the stupidest thing I've ever heard of (in my opinion). My non-runner co-worker was bragging to high heaven that she did a 5k, only to find out it was the Color Run ... I wanted to call her a poser. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had a friend who did an obstacle race that had some kind of electric barbed wire fence you had to crawl through. WTF? All the beer in the world couldn't make do do that.
I've done a handful of Rock & Roll races but agree they are pretty overpriced and the race shirts typically suck. I prefer the smaller, local races.
I've only done 1 RnR race and I thought I hated the shirt because it's so big, but now it's one of the only shirts that currently fits me. :)
DeleteI did a Color Run and it was an absolute blast... but it was definitely not a race and definitely not even a 5k as advertised (maybe 2.5 miles at the most). Also, I had to shower for like 2 hrs to get all that stuff off... I think one Color Run was enough for me.
ReplyDeleteHahaha it wasn't even 3.1 miles? That's hilarious to me.
DeleteI haven't done Warrior Dash because it seems so commercial, but we've done family mud runs (the Boyfriend, the Kid, and myself) which were a TOTAL blast. We have one coming up on Sept 2...but it also is relatively small (only 150 people) so that makes a world of difference, I think.
ReplyDeleteI kind of want to do the Glow Runs, which are 5Ks in the dark with glow sticks/necklaces/bracelets/etc. SWEET TECHNO BEATS FOR THE WIN.
If you do an ultra, the night running is included and you get to wear a sweet head lamp.
DeleteI don't do smelly pedovans. That's always been my answer when people inquire about relays. I've also been told that it's really more if a color meander, but my husband's idiot cousin still won't stop badgering me to come do it where she lives (14 hours away). Why the crap do people think I need to bring my preemie to them?
ReplyDelete14 hours away?? With a baby? That's crazy talk.
DeleteRelays.
ReplyDeleteRelays, relays, relays.
Never will I ever do a relay. I run to be alone. Why on Earth would I want to share running with someone else? What is the point of a relay? Some old man ran with me the first 10 miles of a 30-mile race, and I was so glad when he stopped to use the bathroom and I never saw him again because I would much rather be alone for seven hours than have a chatty buddy. If I'm going to run a race, I run the whole thing - not half of it or a quarter of it or a twelfth of it. I sure as hell wouldn't run 1/36 of it, then 1/36 a few hours later and then 1/36 the next day. How this that an accomplishment?
I like the way you think.
DeleteMy mom taught me when I started driving NEVER park next to a white van - rape mobile. Whenever I see Ragnar recaps I think one day there will be a news story about the people who disguised themselves as runners and were actual rapists.
ReplyDeleteNot only the cost of the color run - but they the eff would I destroy my work out clothes or shoes???
The Rapists is probably already a Ragnar team name.
DeleteNodding vigorously in agreement to all points. I did Warrior Dash a long time ago and I did Tough Mudder which was much hard. I don't want to do any more mud races now. I got some kind of weird skin infection from that muck at Tough Mudder. Over it.
ReplyDeleteMy desire to do a relay faded once I started doing ultras. Seems like a lot of money and a lot of unnecessary hassle.
The trail/ultra thing also makes me give a side-eye to race fees. Why should I pay $100 to run a road marathon? They don't even give you any snacks!
My bottom line is I like my racing life to be hassle-free. I like to roll up to the start an 45 min before a race, pick up my number, run, and be done with it. If something requires much more of me, I'm not interested.
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY on the Color Run. It's stupid. And so are sparkle skirts. And those shoes. lol omg, those shoes are hideous.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have such an inexplicable hate for color runs, that is compounded by the guilt I feel for hating on such a "fun" "empowering" event. Glad to know I'm not alone.
ReplyDelete**I had a typo in that first comment that made it offensive, fixed!!
I probably won't do the Warrior Dash again because the mud was gross. Color Run...nope, no desire. Ragnar, do desire either. I'm doing RNR VB in a week, though. :) It is still to be determined if I will do another one.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the obstacle and color runs! I did the relay thing, but probably wouldn't do it again. They sucked me in with their marketing!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a rock and roll series next weekend, and I've decided I won't do any more because they are calling the 5K associated with it a mini-marathon. My reason for avoiding them is better than yours! HA!
You're completely wrong about relay races. They are loads of fun. You're just misled because you're looking at stupid ones. You missed your chance this summer to do the fun relay races. The 4x100 and 4x200 are both great fun.
ReplyDeleteThe 4x400 is great "fun". You have to run a 400 in it, and of course running a 400 all-out is fun for 200m, followed by feeling like asphixiating death for the last 200m. So that one qualifies as "fun".
I love your idea of fun.
DeleteI'm going through and reading your old posts while being bored/procrastinating at work (I think I found your blog sometime last summer, a couple of posts before this one looked familiar, but just started reading regularly in the last couple months or so).
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to comment on the Color Run - it's not really that hard to wash off, I was actually disappointed that the shirt washed completely out, I was hoping to have a tie-dye-esque shirt. However, it definitely attracts non-runners, and not only did you have to slow down while going through the color stations, you had big groups of people walking side by side and blocking the path. My friend and I actually shouted "walkers to the right please!" a couple times and got glared at, even though they'd also announced that before the start. My other friend who walked most of it was even annoyed by the slower walkers who were too oblivious to realize they were in her way. We weren't trying to "race" per se, but we're runners, we wanted to run at the color RUN! I'm slow anyways, but it took me 12 minutes longer than my 5k PR (don't know if the distance was short, wasn't willing to wear my garmin and risk any damage). I don't mind that I did it once, but you definitely have to be doing it with a group to be fun, and I don't plan on doing it again!
Also in terms of relays, I do want to do Hood to Coast at some point, but that's mainly cause everyone I know has done it, so I feel left out. :P
Just found this point when I was thinking about how awful color runs must be and how insane the prices are. This post is great. I think all these runs are stupid and for people who aren't real runners.
ReplyDeleteThat said, nothing annoys me more than the price. My friends came from out of town and ran a Spartan Sprint last year. I thought, okay I'll go watch them at least. They have the nerve to charge a spectator fee. I watched Ryan Hall and Meb battle the Kenyans at the Boston Marathon a few years ago for free. I'm sure as hell not going to pay to watch a bunch of non athletes go through obstacles.
The day I even consider a Tough Mudder is the day one of those stupid orange headbands are ahead of me in a real race. If you are so tough, then why are you always behind me? That's always my thought. I ran an actual hard trail 15K race and passed two 20 somethings orange headbands halfway through. That was after only 3 months of running after having major surgery and being out for awhile. One of my female friends that was ahead of me said they got really pissed when she passed them. They were like trying pump each other up, like "let's go." Too funny.
I thought Ragnar might be fun, but that could just be because I haven't built up enough to run marathons yet.
As for big city runs. I used to live in Philly and hate those runs. All my friends seem to love them. My first marathon was the Philly Marathon. The bathrooms lines were long and it was so crowded that I couldn't even run anywhere in the first mile and I was running an 8 minute mile. Give me small to medium size races any day. I want to do Boston and NY one day, but I'm pretty sure I won't run either race twice.