PLATFORM FOR WHINING
- By loramarie03
- 27 March, 2012
- 16 Comments
Yesterday NYRR finally opened registration for the Brooklyn Half Marathon. And then they closed it.
After much drama on the Facebook page, NYRR opened it at noon, and of course, the website crashed. I was lucky and was registered by about 12:20 p.m. Around 1:30 p.m., they said that it was nearing capacity (which rumor has it, when they make that announcement, it means there are less than 1,000 spots left). By 9:30 p.m., sold out. Perhaps it’s a lesson in proper marketing — i.e., create such a frenzy around an event that people feel like they have to be part of it or they won’t be able to survive. Either way, they tripled the field (to 15,000) and nearly doubled the price for NYRR members (from $25 last year to $45 this year), so I know the execs over at NYRR are very happy right now.
But it’s kind of funny, Facebook has turned into this giant platform for whining. For the past few weeks, if you logged onto NYRR’s Facebook page, it was filled with complaints: “When will registration open?” “I can’t start training until race registration opens” and “How can I book my travel arrangements if I don’t know when the half will be?” You would think that, now that registration is open (and closed), people would quit their whining. Nope, last night, people were complaining about not being able to get in, the fact that the race doesn’t give a medal and well, how ugly the shirts were last year (which I kinda agree). How did people get all these complaints across before Facebook? Or has Facebook made us into uber-whiners who complain to companies and organizations more because it is so easy to do so (no longer do you have to call a random 1-800 number only to be put on hold for 15 minutes).
At least I’m in. That’s all that matters, right?
This morning was chilly… like hello winter. I think it was in the 30s but I decided to be a rebel and run in shorts anyways. Living on the edge! I did grab some gloves and a headband which made it seem much warmer than it was. Unfortunately, my IT Band was acting up again. This is such a rollercoaster, and I’m so sick of it — as I’m sure you are sick of reading about it! However, I decided to try using The Stick before my run this morning so perhaps that’s why? I also did my hip exercises last night after a brief hiatus so that could be a contributing factor. This week is a short training week — I have one more run tomorrow, rest day Thursday and my last 20 miler on Friday (I have a busy weekend so a run on Saturday is out of the question). That means I’ll have a two-day rest this weekend; let’s hope that helps.
Do you think Facebook has made consumers more whiny? Have you ever had an injury that put you on a rollercoaster?
Copyright © 2013
Everyone I've ever known who's had IT band issues has struggled with it for quite awhile, so it's probably going to stick around until you run Boston and scale back on your mileage a little. I had it only once and had to stop running completely for six weeks to get rid of it, so I completely understand your frustration. I had plantar's for about a full year before I finally shook it off. I refused to stop running, and eventually it just went away. Sometimes you just have to get stubborn!
That's a good point! I'm hoping that the taper phase will help too, since that will definitely be scaled back mileage for a good two weeks. I just have to get through the next three days.
Wow, plantar's for a year?! I'm glad that it went away.
It's nuts how quickly the BK half filled up! Luckily we got in
I can't believe you went out in shorts this morning! I was decked out in full running gear. I only did 3 miles, but my hands were frozen afterwards, even with my Brooks Mitten/gloves (I have bad hand circulation apparently haha). My IT band was acting up today too, after only 2 miles! Luckily I managed to not get too upset, but now I am a little more worried about being able to run a half in 2 months. Maybe it's the cold?
Yes I am saying that it's the cold… weird that we've been fine and now today we've both had issues! That sounds like a reasonable explanation.
My legs were a nice shade of red afterwards, so probably not the best decision — haha.
ah ha! I found this:
May athletes fail to protect the knees adequately in cold temperatures. The IT Band is particularly susceptible to the cold and experts recommend that athletes keep the knees covered during sports when the temperatures are below 60 degrees.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/kneepainandinj…
Ooh! This is good! I wore capris this morning and it felt much better!
I sure am glad today was a cross training day for me! Haha. But good for you for getting out in the cold. It's so hard for me.
I totally think that people just complain on Facebook because it's easy. I hate reading the mass list of complaint comments because it puts me in a negative mood. People complain about the stupidest things sometimes. But YAY we are in!!! Tell your IT band to get it together, you have races to run!
Yeah soo glad we both made it in!!! Woo!!!
IT band injuries are a pain in the butt, that's for sure!
Hahha and in more ways than one!!! (lol, sorry, I love corny puns!)
Sorry about your knee!! You probably already do this, but make sure you do LOTS of stretching. When I feel my IT band start to tighten up, I will do at least 20 minutes of stretching after my run. Also, I usually don't stretch before my runs, but when I feel an injury coming on, I will warm up inside slowly if it's cold out to get my legs warmed up and loose first, and then throw in a quick 2 minutes of stretching before heading outside.
I am the worst person at stretching, but I'm getting better. I can touch my toes now (before I couldn't) so I think it's helping!
I signed up too!! It will be my first 1/2 marathon. I'm nervous if I'm being modest…
YAY!!! That's awesome, and I think a great choice for a half!! You'll do great!
The NYRR facebook page is very entertaining.
I made sure I signed up early-didn't want to take any chances!
I'm honestly not surprised it filled up as fast as it did-especially given the 2-month+ long buildup. Plus there are other factors going on: it's a club points race, it's part of the 4/5 races for NYC Half guaranteed entry, it's a reasonably priced half that does not consist of 4 loops of Central Park, with the Manhattan snowout and Queens downgrade, again it's a chance to get a half-marathon in, and finally it's the last chance for people to get a qualifying time for the NYCM before they tighten the standards (I know there were people hoping to use Manhattan and that got snowed out!)
I had ITB issues 2 1/2 years ago-and even though they have stayed away for now, I always can't help but feel paranoid that it will rear it's ugly head again, especially when marathon training…
Yeah those are good points! I don't understand why they made Queens a 10K? That doesn't even make sense. I suppose with 8 million people living here, 15,000 is nothing.
Ahh fingers crossed your IT Band stays healthy!