Athletics: How To Run and Enjoy the Marathon - Chapter 12. Marathoners' Creed: Share Thy Space

(A Practical Guide To The 26.2-Mile Journey) By James Raia
Web site: www.byjamesraia.com  
E-mail: James@ByJamesRaia.com

Runner's Web Editor's Note:
We will be running one chapter of this book on the Runner's Web each week for the next 15 weeks.

Introduction
How to Run & Enjoy The Marathon, a series of 15 self-help and service-oriented articles about running marathons - the proper shoes to running etiquette - is written by James Raia, a journalist and veteran marathon and ultramarathon runner in Sacramento, Calif. A contributor to many newspapers, news services, magazines and internet sites, Raia began to run long distances in 1983, the same year in which he completed his first marathon, the California International Marathon, in 4 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds.
How To Run & Enjoy The Marathon is based on the author's more than 20 years of writing about the sport -- its nuances, its elite athletes and the running masses.
Since he began training for his first marathon, running has become an integral component of the author's lifestyle. Raia has completed nearly than 70 marathons and ultramarathons, including several 50 milers and double marathons. His fastest marathon, 3:07:42, was run in 1990. A two-time finisher of the Boston Marathon, Raia for the past several years has completed many of his marathons in the 3:45 range.
Raia, 48, has traveled to more than a dozen countries on assignment for myriad publications, Runner's World to Modern Maturity, The New York Times to USA Today. He also writes syndicated cycling and running columns, publishes two electronic newsletters, Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times, and is the author of The Tour Within The Tour de France, a travel/sports e-book about the prestigious cycling event. He lives in Sacramento, Calif., with Gretchen Gaither, a teacher and sculptor.

For additional information on his two free newsletters or his other e-book, visit the author's web site, www.byjamesraia.com or contact him via e-mail at RaiaRuns@aol.com.

Table Of Contents
1.Marathon No. 1: It's not all about pain
2. What Marathon? Plentiful choices abound
3. The Basics: Common sense for the masses
4. Marathoning For Dollars: Running is fitness on the cheap
5. Want To Finish: Join the club
6. Fleet Feet: If the shoe fits, wear it
7. Need Motivation? Take a break
8. Now Hear This: Just Say No To Headphones
9. Night Moves: Exercisers Need A Visible Presence
10. Women Marathoners: Running Safe Means Running Smart
11. Running vs. Walking: Marathoners Can Do Both
12. Runner's Creed: Share Thy Space
13. Marathon Time Limits: The race directors' dilemma
14. Marathon No. 1 (Revisited): Don't Forget The Little Things
15. Reference Guide: Where to Find Out More About The Marathon

This Issue - 12. Marathoners' Creed: Share Thy Space

When shorter days are upon us, not only is less daylight training time available, training facilities - community college tracks to recreation trails - are more crowded with various user groups.

As such, runners (and other exercisers) need to pay closer attention to common sense exercise etiquette.

But while following such practices is so easy, problems seem to be on the increase.

Consider an incident that happened to a good friend.

As he tells the story, he was one of several runners circling the all-weather track at the local junior college. Since my friend is a fast runner, he was utilizing the inside lane as per etiquette and as stated on various signs posted on the track.

At the same time, two women walkers also felt it was in their best interests to conduct their fitness workout on the inside lane. For each of several laps, as my friend approached the women, he let them know with the commonly used, one-word advisement, "Lane One!"

For a few laps, the women moved slightly and then returned to their place in the inside lane. But then the inevitable occurred.

As my friend finished a 2,000-meter repeat, he again informed the women he was approaching. This time, however, they didn't move and my friend bumped one of the women as he passed.

A heated disagreement ensued. The women expressed their rights to walk where the wished. My friend and other runners told the women about track etiquette. The women, unconvinced, told my friend they were going to call the police and file a complaint.

Sure enough, several campus police arrived shortly thereafter. My friend was detained and asked numerous questions.

Although the situation seems preposterous, it's not an isolated occurrence.

Whether it's runners and walkers circling a track, runners and cyclists training on recreation trails or inline skaters, cyclists, runners and walkers all cohabiting in a parkway, trouble abounds.

The problem is simple. Particularly during shorter days and more crowded facilities, exercise enthusiasts in each of the abovementioned user groups believe the rules don't pertain to them.

Some runners believe they're training to win the Olympic marathon and no one else matters. Some cyclists enjoy emulating Tour de France champions, and everyone else be damned. Some families believe there's no better place for teaching children how to ride their bicycles, often times while pulling along the family dog on a long rope.

It's gotten so crowded that some recreation trails could benefit from crossing guards and traffic signals. And isn't that an ugly thought?

So, what's the solution? It's simple.

Users of public parkways, roads and bike trails have to be cognizant of who's around them. They need to adhere to common sense rules and regulations and they need to realize their sport is not the only user group on the trail.

Consider some of the guidelines and laws listed in a common sense brochure distributed by the RRCA:

* Slow runners and walkers should use the outside lanes on running tracks.

* According to many county ordinances, cyclists are not permitted to ride faster than 15 mph. And they should always ride single-file on general use bike trails.

* It's against the state law of many states to wear headphones while riding a bicycle.

* Runners should always run against traffic and as close to the outside of the trail as possible. Runners should also run in single file.

* Walkers, parents pushing baby strollers, walking their animals or playing with their children should realize that bike trails can be as busy as city streets.

* Exercise enthusiasts should wear reflective gear prior to sunrise and after dusk.

* Inline skating is not allowed on many recreation trails.

© Copyright 2003, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

Subscribe to James Raia's Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times at: www.byjamesraia.com. They're free and spam-free.