Do you run in place when you come to a street that you have to cross? I'm in two minds about this. One of the routes I like to run has a major intersection that I have to cross, and it can often take 30-40 seconds before I get a walk signal. Standing around doing nothing for that long gets me out of my rhythm and it allows the lactic acid to start building up in your muscles. (Editor's Note: I have no idea if that lactic acid thing is true or not, I just know that it is much harder for me to run if I stop for a prolonged period of time. If you were looking for actual facts and scientifically backed up articles then you're at the wrong blog. I suggest you start with these guys - Science of Sport.)On the other hand when I do run in place I feel like everyone in their cars is just rolling their eyes at me. 'Would you look at this guy? Hey buddy! We get it, you're healthy! You don't even stop running when you have to stop running!' I don't want to be that guy. You all know that guy he's the one that sees you eating something and tells you without solicitation that he never eats that because it's not good for your health. That guy is the person in your office who not only takes the stairs every time, but tells you that he takes the stairs every time because elevators are not good for your health. Yeah, well you know what else is not good for your health? A flurry of punches from my fists of steel and justice, so you'd better quit annoying me.
Lance Breger has a hilarious post about what to do instead of running in place at the intersection, but I don't recommend that you read it if you're dedicated to running in place. I just read it and I can tell you with certainty that I will NEVER AGAIN run in place at an intersection. Thanks for breaking me of the habit Lance. Those are some pretty good alternatives, but next time I come to an intersection I think I'll do the Chicken Noodle Soup.
Your thoughts in the comments, and also, do you stop your watch while stopped at the intersection? It only seems fair that you would.
I always stop and stand around at intersections--because I figure that if it feels like it's that much harder to get moving, I must be getting some training benefit out of it. If it's a 40-second light or something, I'll run down the street a ways and back, but if it's 10 seconds--eh. The pain of stopping and starting again means it's good for you!
ReplyDeleteI do stop the watch, though.
I generally try to plan my routes in a way that I can avoid major intersections. When I do have to cross them and there's no cross signal, I almost always run down the side road until I can cross safely. Then I run back again and continue on my way. It sometimes takes longer than just waiting for the cross signal but I hate stopping!
ReplyDeleteI used to run in place many (many) years ago. But then I realized that I looked like a dork (because everyone else I saw doing it looked like a dork) and gave up the habit.
ReplyDeleteI sort of jog and hop up and down on the curb and do jumping jacks, really I pretty much look like a total jack ass, but seriously if I stop...I stop. That's why I don't do walk breaks...stop means stop to my body.
ReplyDeleteI would pay good money to watch you do the Chicken Noodle Soup on the street corner.
ReplyDelete"I would pay good money to watch you do the Chicken Noodle Soup on the street corner."
ReplyDeleteReally? Because I could probably be talked into it for less than $20.
Geeeesh... my street is soooo boring!! I usually stretch while waiting (with the Garmin paused), but next time I'm so doing the Hula Hoop.
ReplyDeletecan anyone say frogger. I don't stop. I run until I can cross the street between intersections. Our streets are long and straight. It's safer away from the intersections and all those cars.
ReplyDeleteConfession: I run in place.
ReplyDeleteConfession #2: I'm going to continue running in place.
Confession #3: I'm a dork.
Definitely stop and stop the Garmin. I feel like such a tool if I continue to run in place. Come on . . .I need all the help I can get in shedding the tool looking factor :P
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog... laugh out loud stuff!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely, positively stop my stopwatch at the intersection. Wait a minute, I live in rural Idaho... there are no intersections. But I do stop it whenever I have to wait for livestock to cross the road. I work hard for my ten minute mile, no way I'll let a couple stray cows slow me down!
By the way, while "half-fast" is a perfectly good term, I like to think of it as "recreationally fast". That's me, always barely finishing in the top half... and proud of it.
Really?? Less than $20?? You might have yourself a deal. I will of course be filming the occasion to post on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI did the chicken noodle soup once.
ReplyDeleteDamn fire ants...
I'm a fan of taking breaks at the intersections. And every telephone pole, speed limit sign, and fire hydrant . . .
ReplyDeleteLike Pat (the "frogger" comment is priceless) and Chris, if I can, I just take a short side trip until I can cross. If not, I jog in place and when I do that, I stop the watch because every fraction of a second is important (grin). I figure at 5:30 in the morning, most folks think I'm a dork for running -- jogging in place isn't any worse for my reputation and it keeps my muscles from getting tight.
ReplyDeleteThere is only one light that I remotely run into, but it seems as if it is always red.
ReplyDeleteI feel completely justified for running in place or doing the MC Hammer dance at stop lights because I don't pause my watch at lights. Now, even moving close to the water fountian to get a sip of water, thats a pause worthy event. what if I slip in the 1 oz of water on the sidewalk near the fountian. I could hit my head and be out for hours before help arrives. They would check my watch and laugh at me!