QOTD: Do you find this thread informative and helpful with regards to running topics? Do you come here for the QOTD and answers or for other reasons? Do you think the thread needs more content or could we use fewer QOTD's?
I am having a hard time keeping up lately for various different reasons. I am debating if keeping the thread going is doing good for anyone or if I added less content would people still check in and reply?
I used to ignore this thread because I falsely believed that it pertained to much faster and more serious runners than me. But one day I jumped in and opened myself up to a whole new perspective on what it means to be a runner. There was a time when I
never even considered running a marathon. This thread and so many helpful posters here inspired me to consider the marathon. When I got cold feet about registering for the marathon, this thread helped me work through my fears because I was able to give voice to my fears and receive tremendous feedback from other runners here. In short, I never would have signed up for the marathon if I wasn't participating on this thread. And when I hit a very rough patch during marathon training, I knew I could come to this thread and this community and find people who would listen to my fears and help me work through them. I've said it before and I will say it here now. While I almost always run races by myself, this community helps ensure that I do not run them all alone. And a lot of that comes from this thread.
As others have said, I learn so much about running from this thread. I enjoy running so much more now than I used to precisely because of what I learn from this thread. And I am completely confident that I had a much more enjoyable first marathon in large part because this thread taught me more about running so I had a better idea on how to handle the wall.
Now, I also understand that this thread can be time consuming for one person to keep on top. I want to see it continue, but I have no problems if we community source the QOTDs. When it comes to the upcoming race posts, I feel like it's perfectly okay to just make a post saying good luck to anyone with a race this week instead of having to take the extra time to list all the people with races. In this case, the thought truly counts and I certainly do not want to see anyone feeling additional stress because they have to keep on top of this thread and/or come up with new content every single day.
Another idea is maybe it can be changed to Question of the Week. A lot of people seem like they can't get to the thread every day anyway. This way people can chime in and answer the question any time during the week and of course, the various related and unrelated chatter can continue as well.
I like this idea too.
I do find the thread helpful. I don’t think a daily question is necessary all the time but it’s a great place for people to ask and discuss running in general.
Absolutely. In my family, only my little sister is a runner. Since I'm a guy and am also 11 years older than her, we face different challenges. So this thread gives me an outlet to ask questions, receive feedback, and learn from others more experienced and faster than me. And speaking as a slower runner, I am very grateful for the more accomplished and/or faster runners in this community who view me as a fellow runners and assist me where they can. I know I never would have signed up for the marathon without this thread. And I know this community helped me to finish the marathon having had a great experience because so many helped prepare me. While I did not know and could not know what the wall would feel like, I was prepared to deal with it thanks to things I learn here.
(basically to meet each other and then see who is going to melt into a puddle first.
If yall could so kindly, re post your results and upcoming races I will add them to the OP when I get a second chance.
