Active Community: Message List - Marathon Forum

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Tue, 19 Aug 2003 12:50:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by DogMom:

I would also say yes depending on whether the other forums can be restructured.
...
I will be training for a marathon (my first) coming up and I know that some of my questions will be regarded (by him and possibly by other very experienced runners) as stupid or inane. I don't know if the newbies would then not post and/or not get anything out of a marathon forum.
I would possibly read the forum but not likely post there.

I believe that IF there were a marathon forum, it wouldn't make any difference who the moderator would be. The moderator is not there to make fun of a person's questions. So that shouldn't be one of your concerns. As for people new to the marathon - just as with the Newbie Cafe - the more experienced runners are very willing to answer their questions. That's the way it would be. The only difference is that the new runners would be asking questions specific to the marathon.

quote:
Originally posted by mklinger:
... A Marathon Forum that competitive folks would find useful would be intimidating to Newbies. A Marathon Forum that Newbies find useful would be not very useful for experienced marathoners; it would be too basic.

This is a misconception that some people have about the marathon. It is not something that is exclusively for "competitive folks". I personally don't have a problem with discussing the marathon with newer runners, and giving advice. I believe a lot of the other runners feel the same way. We all had to start somewhere, and we're all still learning. And I often learn things from the questions that newer runners ask. The marathon is very much a mainstream event, with people young and old participating, and people of all levels of experience and ability. So no, this is not something for elite runners. The Competitive Wire serves that purpose, and that is where those kinds of topics will remain - marathon or otherwise. And remember, it would include information that all runners are interested in, such as what a particular race was like, how was it organized, ... etc.

quote:
Originally posted by yakobi98:
Please address why yet another forum should be added when the existing forums handle the volume quite nicely.

Please address why just the marathon forum should be added without realigning all the other forums by distance.

I believe a lot of us view the marathon as more than just a distance. Which is why I don't see why the forums would need to be reorganized by distance, as one person alluded to. The marathon is a challenge. That and more. Just like the Ironman. No one actually counts the number of miles, but rather they think of the challenge as a whole. Goal - to finish.

Having a marathon forum would actually bring a lot of the members of this community together, rather than splitting us apart. It's a topic for young and old, experienced and inexperienced. And yes, even those who are just dreaming about doing one. I often visit the Multisport forum just to read about some of their stories. I was especially inspired by activemind's recent Ironman finish. I think having a marathon forum might give inspiration to a lot of runners who are considering the marathon, and who want to hear from those who are training for one.

I looked across the forums to get a sampling of some of the topics that have to do with the marathon. And I imagined how much closer the community would actually be if all of these topics were under one roof. If you look at some of the topics, you'll see that they are topics that all marathoners can relate to. Even in the Newbie Cafe and Way Cool Running there are lots of members interested in the marathon, and some have actually completed one. Think of how nice it would be to have all of these discussions under one roof. And if someone is interested in marathoning, they would feel welcome chiming in because they would see that there are no age or experience boundaries. There would be no rules that say you have to be a marathoner already. There would be nothing in the name of the forum that suggests that this is only for certain people or experience levels, as some of the forums do. And how you get from point A to B is up to you - whether you run the entire distance or walk part of the way. Just watch the New York City marathon, and you get the picture that this is very much a mainstream event that has really little to do with the distance itself, but rather the journey. Think of the NYC firefighters and police officers who trained to run the marathon after 9/11 in honor of their fallen comrades. Many of whom took up running just so they could do so. Or the numerous people who run for charitable organizations. The marathon is about people accepting a challenge, and doing whatever it takes to see it through.

Here are some examples of some of the topics that would come under one roof if there were a marathon forum:

Newbie Cafe (279 topics): new runner and a marathon...?; What time should I guess for Marathon?; CT Residents Training for Marathon?; Certified vs. Non Certified Marathons; marathon-caffeine; St. George Marathon - how do you get in?; downhill marathon; Alberto Salazar; Boston Marathon Basic Training (468 topics): Marathon Recovery; Optimal Longest Run in Marathon Training; Running Marathon; what should I keep my heartrate at; best marathons for first timers; marathon shoes; Long Runs at Marathon Pace-How?; vaseline for feet in marathon?; Marathon Strategy; Any Thoughts on Philly Marathon?; Speed training in Marathon program; Post Marathon Running; Advice on running two marathons in 6 weeks?; First marathon; pre-marathon taper; ... The Track: Is running 25 MILES in a day beneficial; Marathons; ...

Multisport Training: Marathon program?; making the shift from tris to marathon ...

Ultrarunning: trail marathon versus road; What is your longest training run?; ...

Run and Race Reports: Training for a Marathon? (weekly threads) ...

Mainstream Racing (232 topics): drinking during the first hour of marathon; Marathon on 4 runs/week?; Marathon in the heat; marathon preparation need help; Fuelling During Marathon; Pre-marathon freakout (talk me down, please); Help me pick a fall marathon; How to know if a Marathon is a Qualifier for Boston; MarathonWIND45 Degrees=WHAT TO WHERE?; Bay State Marathon ... time increase; Sandra Kannouchi Marathon Training Schedules; MP Runs Advice; Pfitz's LT runs in marathon training ...

Way Cool Running: Marathon Recovery! How do you do it? ...; royal vic marathon; Grandmas Marathon;

Boomers and Beyond: Philly Marathon; Jay Mountain Marathon; Boston Marathon ... where to stay?; Taper to my first marathon; Training for 2 or 3 marathons a year; Boston Marathon Pacing; Qualifying for Boston Marathon; Galloway's Marathon Program; how to train between marathons; ...

Carbo Canteen: Marathon Nutrition; marathon, need help!!!; Why not straight glucose during marathon?; How do you carbo load for a marathon?; marathon at night; ...

Just Running: HRM use in marathon ?; Boston Marathon, Getting a Number; 3 months between marathons; Flat, fast, fall marathon; Long Road to Boston; Boston Question...; Boston Hotel Question; Boston Marathon Package; Advice for Boston; How many days do you take off after a marathon; any moms complete marathon???; Marathon Prep; Course changes to Casino Niagara marathon; Hartford Marathon; Marathon pace?; Marathon Spectator Advice for Family; New Orleans marathon; Calculating Marathon Pace; Marathon training program.. what's your fave?;

The Competitive Wire: 12 year old runs 2:56 marathon; Losing weight while training for a marathon; Boston Marathon Pacing; Marathon Advice; Lance Armstrong running NYC Marathon?; fast east coast fall marathon; What marathon are you doing?; ...+

I actually agree with those who say that there are already too many forums. But if there is room for one more forum in this community, I think this is one that should be added. The numerous positive responses attest to that.

Kevin, it's really up to you. If some of the other members want to add some supporting statements, fine. I have nothing more to add. Thanks.

[http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-19-2003).|http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-19-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Tue, 19 Aug 2003 03:32:00 GMT

The marathon forum was suggested by someone else. What I did was promote it. The people who responded favorably in this topic did so because it's what

they

want.

This is the message I posted:

I have posted in the Suggestion Box that there be a marathon forum, and have given several reasons why I think it would be a good idea. I'm asking everyone to go to the Suggestion Box to read the topic to see if you agree. If you do, then show your support for this forum by responding. I think the only way to get it started is if enough people express an interest in it.

[http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-18-2003).|http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-18-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Sat, 16 Aug 2003 00:13:00 GMT

No.

There are many ways you can slice the discussion pie.

It's already cut one way with competitive, masters (boomers), high school, newbie. These pretty much cuts the pie by ability levels.

If you're going to slice it by distance, then do so across the board and restructure all the groups by distance.
800m-1.5k
2m -5k
10k-marathon
ultra running

Either way works. Just don't do both, which is where you're headed.

geez, this analogy makes me hungry

[http://This message has been edited by yakobi98 (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by yakobi98 (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 21:10:00 GMT

vote=yep

[http://This message has been edited by Flab Gordon (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by Flab Gordon (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 21:04:00 GMT

With reservations, I support it.

It would be good because maybe the runners who are not interested in doing marathons or wish to discuss non-marathon running events could do so on the other boards without marathon discussion dominating them.

But there are so many forums on this board I think the moderators need to discuss revamping them if another forum is going to be added. I miss the old CR where we only had 4 forums - you either had a running question or a training question. And somehow they were fairly even about different aspects of running.

Maybe it's just my age, by sometimes I really have to hunt for where I saw a response to a running question. And, forgetting which topic within the forum I saw it under doesn't help either. !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/biggrin.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/biggrin.gif|border=0!

[http://This message has been edited by GaRebelRunner (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by GaRebelRunner (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 16:34:00 GMT

Sully: It's because if you mention marathons in CH you get spanked !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/biggrin.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/biggrin.gif|border=0!

Gotta agree, a marathon forum is a great idea. Count me in as a big fat

(Edited cuz I can't spell this early in the morning..)

[http://This message has been edited by fragile (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by fragile (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 15:34:00 GMT

It makes sense to me. The marathon is a huge beast, and a marathon forum would rapidly evolve a culture all it's own. However, I wouldn't want to see a 10K forum, 5k forum, half-marathon forum, etc.

When you're training for a marathon you want to live, eat, and breath marathon info. This new forum would be that place for many people.

[http://This message has been edited by LARRYDATA (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by LARRYDATA (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Marathon Forum

guest — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 14:23:00 GMT

How about a "Marathon Forum"?

The suggestion has been made, but I wanted to add some reasons for it, and to petition the other members to show their support for it.

If you look across all of the forums, there is one topic that is common to almost all of them - the marathon.

In Basic Training you have questions about the long run. What's the optimum distance? How many should I do? In R&RR you have the Marathon Training threads. In Mainstream you have questions about how to do marathon pace runs. Even in Just Running you have a few topics related to the marathon. If a person wants to know how to carbo load for a marathon, instead of wading through all of the general topics in Carbo Canteen, they could go to the "Carbo loading" topic in the Marathon forum. Share your carbo loading regimen with others there. Got a question about a particular marathon (Chicago, NYC, ...)? What is the course like, ... etc.? It could even have a "Training Schedules" topic. Why search across the internet for Higdon, Galloway, ... etc. Find the link to theirs and other schedules in one place I see a lot of posts where a person has a question about doing "long runs". To someone just starting to run, 5 miles is a long run. To a person training for a 1/2M a long run might be 12 miles. This way, if it's specifically about training for a marathon, then it can go to the Marathon forum. How do I get through the "wall"? Or, how often should I drink a sport drink, or take a gel during a marathon? Got a first time marathon question? Want a strategy for doing multiple marathons? It could even be a place for talking about great marathoners. I saw a topic about Alberto Salazar in Newbie Cafe. Hey, post it in the Marathon forum where everybody can see it! I noticed that in Multisport someone had a question about making the transition from triathlon to training specifically for a marathon. Need a marathon strategy for the Ironman? The people in Multisport can either post their Ironman questions in the Marathon forum, or get/share advice there.

Boston:

Running the Boston marathon? Or wanting to qualify? There were enough questions about Boston for it to have its own forum! I must have seen a few dozen topics about Boston this year. How do I pace myself? How do I handle the hills? What do I do before the start? Where's a good hotel? Where should my friend drop me off? With a marathon forum there would be one central place for all Boston questions. And you'd probably have fewer topics because they would be easier to find if they're in just one place.

The advantage I see in having this forum is that when a person asks a training question that is specific to the marathon, there is one place they can go - whether they be a novice or a veteran. If they're new to the marathon, they can go there to learn from experienced marathoners. The rest of the forums can continue to handle non-marathon type topics, such as training for other distances, hydration (non-marathon specific), stride mechanics, race strategy ... etc. If a person has completed a marathon though, they would continue to post their report in R&RR.

Again, I think it would be a great idea to have all of this information in one place. It wouldn't canibalize the other forums, but would rather make it a lot easier to wade through all the marathon-related information that's out there.
----

Edited to include nominations

Nominations for Moderator: Kemibe, Centipede, Sue, dallison, (co-moderators from the names mentioned), ...

[http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-15-2003).|http://This message has been edited by LeonWC (edited Aug-15-2003).]

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 19:08:00 GMT

Re: Marathon Forum

guest — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 18:53:00 GMT

Marathon Forum?

YES