Whether you’re running at the minute or not, one thing we can all do any time is watch other people running. Is it just me or do you do that too? I find myself doing it everywhere 🙂
I love looking at other people running. Before I ran I just didn’t notice other runners. Apart from the ones out in horrible weather conditions when I would think “why on earth would you want to run in these conditions?” Now of course I see them with different eyes and I find myself checking out their form and shoes and kit 🧐 and I understand exactly why they’re out running 🤗
When I use to see someone running in a TV series or film I thought about the plot only and wished they would either a) get away from whatever or whoever they were running from or, b) get caught by whatever or whoever they were running from. Now I find myself studying their form and wondering if I’d look the same if I was being chased by an alien or crazed killer 😱
I watched The Marathon Man again a few years ago and the most shocking thing in the whole film was how short Dustin Hoffman’s shorts were 🙀 I mean, they look indecent now compared to today’s fashion 😂 Oh, and he didn’t stretch after a run 🤣 ….tut tut…..
Even watching the elites on TV it’s amazing what you notice. All the different styles and arm movements, the leg turnover that looks as if it’s on fast forward. It’s fascinating.
But it’s during races that I can study others’ forms in detail because they’re right in front of me. I see all sorts. Feet flicked out, feet flicked in, lopsided shoulders, lopsided hips, strange arm movements, the lot. But looking at others wiles away the miles and I’m sure the people behind see some interesting moves from me too😳
How about you? Do you check out other runners? What do you notice?
I received a link the other day about famous people running in films. Jae Gruenke from The Balanced Runner studies the form of elites and celebrities and then explains what she sees. It’s fun but also quite interesting. Here is her analysis of Tom Cruise running in various films. Since I read it I just know I’ll be looking at him differently the next time I see him 🤣
Never! I doubt I ever will 😀. Not on my manor anyway.
I am heading south in May, and the last time there I sat down for a seafront cuppa and at the side of me I spied a famous actor. I indicated to my husband by moving my eyes 👀👀👀👀👀 but he thought I had some affliction 😁🙄.
I stopped to take a photo on a run once, and there was a flamboyant man nearby making a big fuss of a couple of dogs he had just met. I twigged that it was the actor Simon Callow, who was doing some filming on the prom, and then later on I realised I had accidentally got him in my photo 😂
I do check out other runners from form to kit. Years of working in Fashion hasn’t helped me on that front as I instinctively always clock what people are wearing!🤣
I hope no one was watching me today as it was a slow shuffle again in very short shorts 🔥🥵
Week 5 of my marathon plan and at last it’s a 40k week. Still no long runs which is a relief as it’s so hot here.
Lovely weather and a less achy hip means I've finally been getting out again. Probably more than I should in fact, five runs and three walks this past week. Oops.
As for watching other runners, umm... what other runners?! They're a very rare species round here! True, I sometimes see them when I'm driving, but that's not the ideal time for observation 😕 I'm not much of a film or TV watcher either, sorry. 😊
I''m sure I look horrendous when running - I usually describe myself as a wonky Duracell bunny - and would rather not think about it. And the idea that other runners are watching me absolutely freaks me out. Even though I've got quite a nice swishy ponytail these days!
I see lots of runners on our country roads and I always give them a once-over whether I’m driving or not 😮 I’m constantly surprised at how many of them run with their backs to traffic and how many of them wear black!
Duracell bunnies are fab! The thing about them is that they just k-e-e-p-g-o-i-n-g……….🐇
Oh yes IP, I love checking them out. Especially when I’m volunteering at PR and the leader is gazelling out effortlessly (I’m sure it’s not as effortless as it looks!) and finishing minutes ahead of the rest.
But I also check out the ones in the pack around where I’d be. It can be an eye opener!
Likewise I love to watch elite athletics on TV and I marvel at the ground these amazing people cover with such apparent ease. Every runner is different which is why it’s such a fascinating sport. ❤️
Haha! I certainly do watch real runners! People watching is one of my favourite things anyway 😍. I very much watch cyclists too (I have less cycling kit so it is always interesting to see what folk are wearing). Yesterday I was driving to a sports massage and was stuck behind 4 Sunday morning cyclist chaps riding in 'box formation'; I was getting throroughly bored of the view by the time I finally got past them!!! Happy to say that I am now back up to 19k running, no pain in my legs; regular sports massage definitely seems to make a difference. Can I hang on to that injury free status til April (for my half and my charity ride) - the million dollar question!
That’s brilliant news about the 19K Linda! You must be thrilled. I agree with you about a regular sports massage, it makes a big difference. You’ve just reminded me that I must book another one….
I always have to sit behind cyclists here because our roads are just too narrow to overtake but most of them either stop or pull in to let me pass…. If they even hear the car….
Fingers crossed for the continuation of your injury-free status 🤞🍀
Thank you for hosting the Chat, lovely IP!!!!!! 😍😍😍
I love watching the other runners - I'm particularly intrigued by some of the creative arm movements I see! There is such a variety of age, shape, size, gait, speed, attire, arm movements 😊 It's so fabulous!! We had the Brighton Half Marathon yesterday, which goes past our flat. I'll admit to feeling a little envious of the wonderful running form of some of the front runners 😂
Happy running, resting, and observing, everyone! xxx
Yep all the time when I'm running at ParkRun or volunteering there. Some of the different running styles are amazing to watch. The guy who comes first at our PR looks like he's out for a gentle stroll, hardly any effort and does it in about 18 mins! Some have some very different styles which actually look uncomfortable but seem to get them round no bother. Funny enough, I thought I would look this Sat, as my cadence apparently is too low and yet as far as I'm aware I do small steps underneath me rather than striding out and I can hear my feet hitting the ground when I running my fast pace( not probably anyone elses fast pace!) So I want to watch and listen to some others to see what else I can do to improve it.🏃♀️
I have asked my husband to video me running, I think it could be really useful to be able to see what I am actually doing! When it finally happens I will post about it 😊😊😊
I love watching the ones who make it all look so graceful and easy. They do seem to glide.
I noticed a lady at a recent race who had a very odd style. One shoulder was very lop-sided and she kept her arms down by her side which looked awkward. But she was in front of me and, as you say, whatever the style, it seems to get people round!
The telling me not to stop is me recreating in my head what Mum would say. However, there was one C25K run where I would swear I felt gentle physical support on my back...
Sorry for the loss of your dog, and yes, he'll be pulling you when you're tired! 🐶
A very interesting topic. I noticed at Parkrun that some runners look very graceful and some are quite “stompy”. What’s odd is that there are fast and slow runners of both categories, and I’m surprised that the stompy approach seems to work so well for some runners. But how can it when so much energy must be wasted?
It seems that there really is no right way to run.
Hi Stephen. Yes, I agree about the weird forms but somehow they are fast and get round. Although I do wonder if those same runners go on to end up injured …..
Ha I do but not as much as I used to. I remember being behind some of the young fast runners in our group , always studying their form and cadence, trying to grasp where their endless speed came from. Eventually I realized that I’ll never run like them. So now I just do my thing. Covid has meant a lot more solo runs for me, so it worked out ok. I always give a mental tip of the hat when I see an older runner struggling in the rain or the snow while I’m driving by. Because you know the sweat and effort they are going through, you just want to roll down the window and tell them “keep it up! you’re doing great!”
Young runners are amazing to look at, they make it look so easy!
I like eyeing up their gear and shoes too Decker. Another thing that surprises me in races is how clean so many shoes are! I mean, mine are filthy and always muddy and I’m sure I don’t do half the weekly mileage some of these runners do. Maybe I’m just a messy runner 😂
Yes, some people have shoes only for races don’t they? I suppose for serious runners it makes sense. I just have one pair under 700k mileage at this point😅.
I laughed at your serious runner comment. I’m a rookie and have three Altra’s in current rotation 😳 Altra are currently working on a carbon racing shoe. I might be tempted to enter some races if they hit the Australian market!
My shoes are filthy too!!!🤣. I'm also aware that I can here my feet hitting the ground which then makes me think of the impact on my joints. I'm trying to be more aware, but not really sure how to correct it.😳
What a great post! Thank you! Sorry, not really participating in Marathon weekly chats, but just found this post some so intriguing. Thank you! And yes, I watch now other runners (and rowers!)
I love this post, I am a compete other runner obsessive. What they’re wearing, how they run, are they this, are they that etc! I also love watching people running on the telly. I saw a fairly funny film on iPlayer the other day called Patrick, about a pug a lady inherits. Anyway, she enters a 5k, and her efforts are fun to watch. I catch myself in those big round sticky out mirrors sometimes, the sort that help traffic on corners, and I look bizarre to say the least, but I hope that’s partly because it has a slightly funfair mirror effect 🤣. I’ll never be a gazelle though, they just seem to glide about an inch in the air!
There seems to be a runner in almost every drama we watch at the minute. We are going through a phase of watching Nordic crime dramas and when one of the actors runs I find myself thinking ,”well she/he isn’t the murderer” 😂
I love those Scandi dramas, but they NEVER put the lights on when they go to investigate something! Then they get into all sorts of trouble and have to run away 🤣.
I notice foot slapping more than anything during races. Folks run with all sorts of obvious physical problems but seem to bat along nonetheless. Good on em 😀
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WEEKLY CHAT: 26 February to 3 March