Miscellaneous Musings of a First Time Marathoner, part 2

[For part 1, click here]

When is it an injury versus just a topic for conversation?
I have quickly learned that runners, especially new ones, like to talk about their running. Which is great for me because I'm picking up all sorts of tips just by listening (don't take Gu without water, your fuel belt WILL freeze on some long runs, carry toilet paper to the starting line, etc.). Injuries are a favorite topic.

If everyone has the same basic injuries (runners knee, IT band...), does that mean they cancel each other out and you shouldn't talk about them? Or does it mean you can talk about them even more? If someone is injury-free, should they make something up to be able to contribute to the conversation? Are they considered less of a runner because they're lacking an ailment? Do guys actually hurt less, or do they just talk less about their injuries? What do they talk about instead?

There's so much to learn...

"Take it slow..."
...is code for "let's run as fast as you've ever run and also throw in some hills." Despite it being my first time on "the hills" (the nasty stretch of route 30) and 3 days before Steph was going to run 16 miles of hills in Derry, NH, we did not "take it slow" as originally agreed.

Lesson learned: abandoning the plan is sometimes necessary, especially when you're afraid that the four guys in day-glo who are in front of you might get back and eat all the pizza before you finish your run.

Is the pain from vacation or shoes?
On Sunday, I went for a 5 mile jog after having taken a mini vacation (i.e. no exercise other than walking around Manhattan) for two days. I've done all of my running to date in stability shoes, but on Sunday I put on a high quality pair of neutral cushion shoes. It was miserable...significant calf soreness after half a mile, and aching shins that progressed to the beginning of shin splints by 2 miles. I had to switch to walking to get my legs back under control.

So the question is this: were my legs angry with me for taking two days off, and this was their way of showing it? Or am I meant to run in stability shoes, and even 5 miles at a slow pace is too much to run in a neutral shoe?

A hypothesis worthy of further investigation.

Sidewalk etiquette
I am not the first, nor will I be the last, runner to say this, but PLEASE: when you're walking 2, 3, 4 people across on a sidewalk, and someone comes running toward you, we would really appreciate it if you'd step aside, just a little. We are agile but would prefer not to have to play Red Rover in the middle of the sidewalk. Because it would not end well...

...for you.

100 reasons to run
If you haven't seen it yet, scroll down or click here to read the growing list of reasons to run the Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber. They are sweet, funny, and sentimental - please help us tally 100 reasons to run by adding your own.