The Power of Community: Twitter Running Advice
May 28, 2009
Today I tweeted a few questions as I thought about running my half marathon this weekend. I’m nervous and just wanted to hear from other runners how they prepare for a big event. So I posted this…
Question for my fellow runners… first 1/2 marathon on Sunday.. should I run today? if so, how far? Any food advice for the night before??
Within seconds folks were starting to answer. If they weren’t runners themselves they RT (re-tweeted) to ask their own followers to answer. I was given advice and support from not only my own online friends but others who have no idea who I am. Here’s the stream of responses that came in over the course of 4 hours after posting my original questions.
- @azoodie I wouldn’t. My training schedule had rest days on Friday and Saturday (1/2 marathon was Sunday). Good luck!!! about 1 hour ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
- @lynchseattle Here’s a good article on tapering: http://tr.im/mGMm about 2 hours ago from Nambu
- @lynchseattle Hi! The week before your half marathon you should be tapering your exercise. Don’t "stop", but keep things lite! about 2 hours ago from Nambu in reply to NerdBoyTV
- @ninny77 Something nutritious and light, not too heavy. And it should be yummy. I am definitely not a runner, it’s just what I thin … about 3 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
- @jodyrae id stick to 3 or4 mi. today. familiar foods the night before. whole wheat pasta/veggies always does the trick for me. good luck! about 3 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
- @TheRealKami a few easy miles today & 2 Sat. Pasta is my pref. RT @RonisWeigh first 1/2 Mthon on Sunday. should I run today? if so, how far? food advice? about 3 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to RonisWeigh
- @sarahstanley any Q’s email me: sarah@sarahstanleyinspired.com happy to help! :) about 4 hours ago from UberTwitter in reply to RonisWeigh
- @rstreb Run 4 mi today. Rest Fri. Walk two on Sat. Pasta dinner Sat night. Good luck, Roni!! :-) about 4 hours ago from TwitterFon in reply to RonisWeigh
- @merrymishaps It’s up to you if you want to run today. Keep it short and easy! I always like carbs the night before (pasta!) See you there! about 4 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
- @teetee_71 anyone? RT @RonisWeigh: ? 4 fellow runners first 1/2 marathon on Sunday.. should I run today? how far? Any food advice for the night b4? about 4 hours ago from twhirl
- @verbicidal @benjamteal for @RonisWeigh: keep runs < 3 mi , x-train, or rest. eat *familiar* foods night b4. eat high carb stuff NOW for max impact. about 4 hours ago from twhirl
- @StaciDucote I would do light runs today and tomorrow, take Fri and Sat off, maybe 4 mi today and 2 tomorrow. Good luck! about 4 hours ago from TweetDeck
- @habeyhl I’d run a short distance just to keep loose (4-5 mi). Food- not too much fiber or fat, keep up the fluids – Have fun! about 4 hours ago from TwitterGadget
- @NerdBoyTV RT @RonisWeigh 1st 1/2 marathon on Sun. should I run today? how far? food advice for night be4? IronMan @lynchseattle would know! about 4 hours ago from Seesmic Desktop
- @bwJen RT @RonisWeigh fellow runners… 1st 1/2 marathon on Sun.. should I run today? how far? food advice for night be4? about 4 hours ago from TweetDeck
- @benjamteal Can anyone help out? RT @RonisWeigh fellow runners… 1st 1/2 marathon on Sun.. should I run today? how far? food advice for night be4? about 4 hours ago from web
- @Lunahippo Hi roni- i’ve run 2 1/2s and i say no running today. and eat 1/2 bagel with almond butter before race. and have fun! love y … about 4 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to RonisWeigh
- @LesleyG General rules: nothing too heavy, rich, spicy, fiberous, etc. And no new, experimental foods, just in case. about 4 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to RonisWeigh
- @LesleyG If you don’t normally carb load I wouldn’t start now- it can do more harm than good. A good, balanced meal ~12 hours b4 start… about 4 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to RonisWeigh
- @IamSucceeding RT @RonisWeigh ? 4 runners: 1st 1/2 marathon Sunday. should I run today? if so, how far? Any food advice for the night before? about 4 hours ago from TweetDeck
@benjamteal @RonisWeigh I have no advice, but only the best "have a great run" wishes I can send! about 4 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh - @leanneclc Have fun…I would run today and tomorrow. Today maybe around 5 or 6ish…and tomorrow around 3. Food = pasta & red sauce. about 4 hours ago from web
- @LesleyG A short run (4 or >) today to tomorrow would be good. Control your speed. What does your training plan say? about 4 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to RonisWeigh
- @DanielaJosi @sarahstanley may be able to help with ur question regarding 1/2 marathon. She’s the ultra runner. Good luck with the race. about 4 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
- @MizFitOnline RT @RonisWeigh ? 4 runners: 1st 1/2 marathon Sunday. should I run today? if so, how far? Any food advice for the night before? about 4 hours ago from web in reply to RonisWeigh
I shared this with you because I think it’s important for us to realize we do have a support system. There are people out there that are willing to help use on whatever it is we are trying to accomplish. Reach out, ask for help. Share your story. Answer other people’s questions. There is a community of us online and we are all in this together. :)
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On May 28th, 2009 at 3:33 pm Ben said:
Roni,
I think this is an important post. In tackling any task, you have to have a solid support system, and for a lot of us, who spend a great deal of time in front of our computers working, whether that be crunching number on spreadsheets, or keeping the blogosphere humming, it is easy to forget that you can have a tremendously large supporting cast at keyboards reach!
Thank you for reminding us all of that, and good luck no Sunday!
Ben
On May 28th, 2009 at 3:35 pm Brandi said:
I’m running my first 1/2 on Saturday and really am so glad you posted this. I had the same question!! :)
GOOD LUCK!!
On May 28th, 2009 at 4:45 pm Holly said:
I just have to retweet this now! Thanks for the mention!
Catch me on twitter – http://twitter.com/habeyhl
On May 28th, 2009 at 6:24 pm T said:
I’ve done several halfers and just a little tip for you if you don’t mind ;) Pack a Jolly Rancher in your pocket and have it on the 10th mile. The sugar rush will kick in at mile 11 and get you through the rest of the race. It works beautifully for me every time! Just don’t choke.
On May 28th, 2009 at 9:55 pm Jenn Z. said:
Great advice! I’m also running the Zooma 1/2 on Sunday. I did 3 miles yesterday, 3 today, and maybe a short/easy run tomorrow. Rest on Saturday. See you then, maybe?! Good luck – it will be fun and the weather looks great!! :)
On May 29th, 2009 at 6:25 am MizFit said:
GOOD LUCK this weekend!!!
On May 29th, 2009 at 8:38 am Chantal said:
Good luck on your 1/2 marathon on Sunday, we’ll be thinking of you.
Chantal
On May 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am Renee said:
That is awesome, and great advice. I am new to jogging (I joke to myself that I am about 1 year behind you, with less ambitions!) and up to about 3 miles. I read a great article on learning to run a marathon, even though that is not my goal, and the ending line was ‘remember a marathon is just 1 mile – 26 times’. So, just remember that all you have to do is run a mile, and you know you can do it! Just 13 times, which I know you will do with ease!
On May 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am Dani said:
The best of luck to you on Sunday. Run like the wind!
On May 29th, 2009 at 4:54 pm Erika said:
Having done a half marathon and planning to do another and a marathon in the future, what is most important???? HAVE FUN and enjoy it! As for the food question, don’t change how you eat , eat as you have been the night before your longer training runs. happy Run to you :)