One of the sillier organized runs is the Banana Chase 10K, which I completed in 57 minutes this morning. Banana Chase? Yes, the gimmick is to beat as many of the runners in banana costumes as you can; the more bananas you beat, the more entries you get in a post-race raffle.I beat several bananas, but was unable to win anything (or even get a t-shirt) because I was late getting to the Golden Gate Park event, and did not have time to register. Finding parking is always a challenge in this city. By the time I ran to the Starting Line, it was 9:00 AM. The gun was fired, the race began, so I kept on running. No time for warm-up stretches!
This race is a fundraiser for UCSF Children's Hospital, and there's a separate, special race for the kids, so the silliness of chasing runners dressed as bananas is excused.
10 comments:
There's evidence that shows that stretching before a race decreases your performance. While stretching is good in general, it turns out that your movements, for example in your legs, do not use the full range of motion, and keep to the centers.
The idea of stretching is that you pull on the muscles to the breaking point. This damages some of the tissue. Damaged tissue can be repaired in time, but not in the time from just before a race to the race.
Check out Quirks and Quarks.
Stephen ~ Thanks for the link to the interesting article. I admit that my own jury is out regarding streching. I try to do a quasi-yoga stretch routine every morning, and it does make me feel better during the day compared to when I don't do morning stretches.
However, I've done some good runs without stretching. Sunday morning, for example, I overslept a bit and did not stretch at all. I drove to the Banana Chase race site and found parking about a half mile away. I ran to the race start, just in time to begin the race. So my only running warm-up was more running -- and I made pretty good time in the race, with no post-race injury or soreness!
Sounds like it was fun! I used to run (only 5Ks) until my cartilage disappeared. I really miss it. I tried getting back into running earlier this year and did more damage to my knees. *sigh* Surgery is my only option but I'm avoiding it.
Nice work on the 57 minute time! This was my first Banana Chase -- pretty fun :o) Are you doing the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot?
Dude! I miss you! The city was amazing and better than I remembered! I'm posting photos and highlights from the trip all next week- I covered so much in those few days. Napa rocked it too. Now I want to come out there at least once every other year!
the word is "missed"
Well, following a yogic philosophy, just plain stretching does more damage than good... the ideal situation would be some yoga and then running, as practiced by the runners at the New York Runners club and advanced yoga practitioners Tom and Beryl Bender Birch...
But I digress...
Hey, hopefully I can join in on the banana race fun next year! *cheeky grin*
I beat several bananas
Are we still talking about the race? ;)
The key to winning this race is not to slip on any banana peels.
VV ~ I hope you find your missing cartilage! Until then, how about swimming?
Heather ~ Yes, I plan to do the Turkey Trot too (I was shut out last year because the registration reached its limit by the time I registered). This is another "different" race -- running on compacted sand at low tide is easy on the feet!
Sabatkes ~ I miss, I mean, I missed you too! I knew you'd like San Francisco. Now you see why I've made it my home. Come back soon!
Miz B ~ I need your yogic advice ... can you set up a yoga studio when you return to The City? I'll be your first customer! (My Rodney Yee Yoga DVDs are helpful, but basic, and not geared towards runners.)
Radio ~ Heh heh heh heh ... You said ... that was cool, Beavis!
Mugsy ~ Yep, the key is to beat 'em! (See above, heh heh ...)
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