Best motivation whilst running a race

gigglemachine

Hey everyone I am volunteering at a 5k race tomorrow. I am just wondering what I can shout at the competitiors to keep them motivated.

The competitors vary from professional athletes right through to families and walkers and there are 3 long HILLS on the course.

The best thing i have heard whilst struggling up one of the said hills was "this is NOT a hill, this is flat keep going!" and astonishingly it actually worked and i made it to the top (perhaps it was the fact my mind was concentrating on the absurdity of the statement instead of concentrating on how much my legs hurt!).

Anyway, what statements have you heard or would you like to hear when you feel like stopping or want to push yourself harder?

Thanks in advance

Rosbrook1985

How about 'Free chicken wings at the finish line?'

That would do it for me....

animatorswearbras

Pretend you have a collar round your neck with a similar device in it like the bus from the film "Speed", if you stop, the collar will explode and blow your face in, if you keep on going you get to snog Keanu Reeves at the finish line and make him less sad.

animatorswearbras

Just realised you're in the crowd motivating people rather than running, in that case just hysterically scream "BEARS!!!!"

shenanigansmo

When I run races, the best motivation for me is just someone telling me I'm doing a great job. It's nothing fancy, but it works wonders.

diligentjosh

I am also doing my first 5k charity run on Thanksgiving, So I am interested in this!!! I am about to honestly give to charity for my town for the first time in my life. I will also feel better about stuffin my face with stuffing, turkey and gravy, and beer during football! I can do it! My goal is 40 minutes ( I know that is alot, but I am recovering from smoking).

diligentjosh

Just realised you're in the crowd motivating people rather than running, in that case just hysterically scream "BEARS!!!!"

Not to be confused with "Bomb".....that may not end well.

NJL13500

I have also been on both sides...as a runner and a volunteer. I usually stick with the safe. Looking good. Nice job. Doing great. I do find it confusing though when people say my bib number and tell me things. I usually have no clue what my bib number is! Some races I've done actually print your first name on your bib. That is fun. Your own personal cheerleaders. I've written my name on my bib a couple of times too. I'll be doing a 10k on Sunday and I always thank the volunteers, especially the police officers who help keep us safe and give their time to hand out water and give race support.

gigglemachine

LOL thanks guys!

danimal5867

I will be running my first race in 30 years on Thanksgiving. My plan is to just shut out all sound and find my happy place. It works for me in my regular training so I expect the same thing in my race. Unless I recognized my wife's voice I would just assume they were cheering someone else anyway.

justal313

When I run races, the best motivation for me is just someone telling me I'm doing a great job. It's nothing fancy, but it works wonders.

I get "not far now" "you can do it" and the like. I'm hoping to get faster and move into the "good job" crowd

Lisah8969

Well first off...best NOT to say the finish is right around the corner unless you are standing at mile 3.09!

If they have their name with their bib number, it is truly awesome to have someone yell your name at you with just a "looking good". If there is no name and they are wearing, for example, an Ohio State shirt, you can still yell "looking good Buckeye." Also make eye contact if you can while you are doing this. It will make the person feel all that much better that you are speaking right at him/her. You may not be able to do that for everyone, but it will mean more to those you do.

And there is also the old stand-by of "you are awesome, you total stranger!"

nturner612

how about "HURRY!!! THE PERSON BEHIND YOU IS THE LAST PERSON AND HE'S 2 FEET BEHIND YOU!!! RUNNNNNNNNNN!!! " lol

rachmaree

I ran my first race last weekend in Istanbul, and the only people that turned up to cheer were all foreigners, no Turks really. It was amazing just to see people cheering, hearing 'you can do it' and 'come on' 'keep going!' really helped, I wanted to say thank you but had no energy

geebusuk

The three Asians infront of me when I was doing a 10k found it quite motivating that I had my St Bernard/rottweiler cross running with me (in reality he's a big softie that'll just slobber on you - but they remained unconvinced and made good progress down the alleyway we were in ).

Me - I don't really care what people are shouting as far as motivation goes - I'm doing it for me.

miracole

I love it when people yell "I think you're being followed"

Lisah8969

I love it when people yell "I think you're being followed"

That's a good one!

blues4miles

"Lookin' good", "Keep it up", "you got this." I guess as a slow sometimes struggling runner I prefer "lookin' good" or "you're looking strong, you got this" something along those lines. It's got to feel natural though. I think so many of us (me included) are self conscious about our running. I don't want to feel like anyone's patronizing me at my slow pace. Telling me I'm looking good/strong has a positive effect, as often I am thinking I must look terrible or slow.

You can google funny race signs and maybe make some. It's nice having something to chuckle at while running.

shenanigansmo

I always thank the volunteers, especially the police officers who help keep us safe and give their time to hand out water and give race support.

^this! I ALWAYS thank the volunteers at the water stations. I even make sure to take my headphones out, look them in the eye, and say thanks.

I also wear my GPS watch during races (even though I know it's 3.1 miles haha, I do it for pace). So I always know exactly how much farther I have to go. when I pass other people or see others around me that don't have watches, I'll tell them "Hey we're at mile 2! One more to go!!!"