Metafilter Runs: RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!

April 30, 2009 7:09 PM

Metafilter Runs: RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE! (Anyone up for a run?)

Hi everyone, I'm Jinkeez!

I haven't created a post here before, so I hope I'm doing it right! I wanted to talk to you guys about Metafilter Running Challenges. After extensive searches, I found evidence they were well received, but it doesn't look like there's been any activity on the Runnerplus group in at least six months, and nothing's been posted here on MetaTalk recently, either. And yet it's still listed over there on the right in that Meetups column thingy!

So, as I do want to get into shape this year, and as my penchant for finding new and dorky ways to integrate my iPod Touch into my life has led me to buy a Nike+ sensor thingy to attach to my shoe, I was wondering if there's any possibility of resurrecting the venerable Metafilter Running Challenges or something..? (I promise you'll beat me, I'm way out of shape and I can't really even run for a mile yet!)

Anyway, if anyone is interested, I'd love to somehow get things rolling again with the group. Care to run with me?

posted by Jinkeez to MetaFilter-Related at 7:09 PM (43 comments total)

Sure, I'm in.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:16 PM on April 30, 2009

So this isn't about video games, then?
posted by boo_radley at 8:09 PM on April 30, 2009 [2 favorites]

I run but I don't have a Nike+ sensor thingy.
posted by fieldtrip at 8:15 PM on April 30, 2009

Sure, why not?

And heck, if anyone around PDX is up for joining Team in Training with me, insanity loves company...
posted by oreonax at 8:17 PM on April 30, 2009

You don't need a Nike+ thingy to use Runner+, fieldtrip.

I'm in! I use Runkeeper on my iPhone these days to track my run via GPS, but I can enter them manually on Runner+ to compete with y'all. Start up a challenge and I'm there.
posted by web-goddess at 8:31 PM on April 30, 2009

There are some MeFi runners still keeping things competitive at We Endure, too. Top mileage for April: jerylaman at 73.15 miles, with notsnot leading for the year at 253.78 miles.

If you cross-train, there's cycling and swimming tracked there, too.
posted by maudlin at 8:47 PM on April 30, 2009

I thought this would be a thread about zombies.

shuffles away disappointed
posted by goshling at 8:51 PM on April 30, 2009 [2 favorites]

Running? What would I do with my laptop?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:04 PM on April 30, 2009 [2 favorites]

Actually, I've kept up the last six months of Runner+ Mefi challenges. It's just that the site kinda sucks and doesn't list recent challenges on the group page.

For example, here's March, the last one I put up, where we only had two challengers. (And I was out for half the month recovering from an injury.) Here's February, where we did a little better -- three!

Here's May. Have at it.
posted by liet at 9:10 PM on April 30, 2009 [1 favorite]

liet, that's great! I'm glad the challenges weren't dead like I feared! Also, you've saved me from having to figure out how to create and organize a challenge, and who knows how many other things... I've signed up for May-- looking forward to seeing the challenger list grow!
posted by Jinkeez at 9:22 PM on April 30, 2009

I signed up. fyi for anyone else who hasn't used Runner+ you need to join the Metafilter group first before you can sign up for the challenge. Thanks liet and jinkeez for setting this up.
posted by fieldtrip at 10:01 PM on April 30, 2009

Cool, I'm in! (And it's really annoying that the list of challenges for our group is more than a year out of date. Is any development still happening over there?)
posted by web-goddess at 10:03 PM on April 30, 2009

I'll jump back in. I've been running, just not tracking.
posted by peep at 10:33 PM on April 30, 2009

So this isn't about video games, then?

Nah, it's a follow-up to ShouldIEatThisFilter.
posted by pompomtom at 11:23 PM on April 30, 2009

Is this something I'd need legs to understand?
posted by grouse at 12:11 AM on May 1, 2009

LOL IRL
posted by bardic at 1:09 AM on May 1, 2009

oh good, I just started running again after pregnancy and then sleep deprivation has make me into an unfit chub. I was looking for the latest challenges on runner+ just yesterday. So I will suck, but this will be good motivation.
posted by gaspode at 5:21 AM on May 1, 2009

I just signed up at work for the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge (just 3.5 miles), which is on June 11th I think...and I haven't run almost since I did it last year, so I will definitely be looking into this. I had even planned on starting my training for it today!
posted by Grither at 5:38 AM on May 1, 2009

I thought this would be a thread about zombies.

I thought it would be about diarrhea, or however you spell that crazy word.

Also, if I (finally) start running again, I'll join.
posted by inigo2 at 6:15 AM on May 1, 2009

I'm in. I ran 39.39mi in April, and I'm training to run my first five-miler (the awesomest five miler of all time) in the first week of June.
posted by Plutor at 6:23 AM on May 1, 2009

I thought it would be about diarrhea, or however you spell that crazy word.

What do pirates get when they visit Mexico?

Diarrhea
posted by Pollomacho at 6:35 AM on May 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Oh, this is great. I'm training for my first triathlon, and I've been looking for a place to track everything. I signed up for both WeEndure and Runner+, so I'll see you guys there!
posted by Who_Am_I at 6:43 AM on May 1, 2009

What do pirates get when they visit Mexico?

Also swine flu [NOT H1N1-IST]
posted by Mister_A at 7:05 AM on May 1, 2009

That is a pretty awesome race on account of the beer, plutor.
posted by Mister_A at 7:06 AM on May 1, 2009

Sweet! I'm the best! I'm ahead of ALL Y'ALL. (*takes screenshot*).

I'm sure this will not last, as I'm just getting started running with this super lightweight ultra beginner program. Gotta start somewhere.

Thanks for getting this set up liet & company!
posted by JDHarper at 7:40 AM on May 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

Why run when you can lounge about in your favourite computer chair eating Cheetos?
posted by deborah at 10:55 AM on May 1, 2009

AND RESCUE MY DAUGHTER.
posted by the aloha at 11:12 AM on May 1, 2009 [2 favorites]

Ok, I'm starting back up. I thought I would be hot shit last year doing this while training for a marathon, then OmieWise kicked my ass training for his *ultra*marathon. Anyway, I went running today for the first time in a while and was unable to go further than 2 miles. I'm going to use gaspode's excuse, does it matter that I wasn't the one who was pregnant?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:38 PM on May 1, 2009

the aloha, that was implied, as the game didn't actually make sound for that part.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:20 PM on May 1, 2009

I'm in. I prefer to use mapmyrun but I see no reason not to plug in my data to Runner+. I already have an account and everything! 19.96 miles in April for me, though to be fair I started last week...I expect May to be filled with much more mileage.

Thanks for posting this!
posted by nonmerci at 2:22 PM on May 1, 2009

filthy light theif,
that's true, but i figured that metafilter runs did not need to be welcomed to its doom.
posted by the aloha at 2:24 PM on May 1, 2009

Hmm, is this something slow and has-been-runners-turned-sedentary-butter-eatin'-sloths can participate in for motivation?

I'd click through the links but my hands are filled with cheetos at the moment...

(but seriously, if there's any metafilter sub-groups for those only getting back into working out, that'd be cool to know about. otherwise, i'll sign up and just try to log something, period.)
posted by NikitaNikita at 5:48 PM on May 1, 2009

I don't run but I cling to a self-image of myself as a runner from the days when I was in the high school track team. Also, I'm pretty sure my sister doesn't use the Nike+ thing I gave her, would it be rude to ask for it back?

IOW, I miiight get in. Other 'not really runners' should totally sign up and log something, then I'll be more likely to join in.
posted by jacalata at 5:56 PM on May 1, 2009

It's for everyone, guys--join in! I have never run before, I'm out of shape, and I can only make it about half a mile before I need to slow down and catch my breath, but I'm really liking it so far... Also, you don't need to have the Nike+ thing, you can log your runs other ways (I used mine for the first time today though and thought it was neat). Create an account on Runnerplus, join the Metafilter group there, and get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather! :)
posted by Jinkeez at 6:27 PM on May 1, 2009

JDHarper: I'm sure this will not last, as I'm just getting started running with this super lightweight ultra beginner program. Gotta start somewhere.

Thanks for that link JDHarper. I had knee surgery recently (torn menscus), and I've been searching for something this well thought out and easy going to get back into shape again once the doctor gives the thumbs up hopefully in the next couple of two or three weeks.

This Nike-robot shoe clicker thing people are talking about...

...does it vibrate?
posted by Skygazer at 8:23 PM on May 1, 2009

Hmm, is this something slow and has-been-runners-turned-sedentary-butter-eatin'-sloths can participate in for motivation?

Absolutely. Past challenges have had one or two people who are hard core way at the top and then a lot of 30 mile per month people in the middle and a few newbies bringing up the rear. Always, people have been encouraging at every level and it is really fun to see people progress. I myself expect to log 2-3 miles per day 3 times a week. You can totally do this Nikita.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:22 PM on May 1, 2009 [1 favorite]

This Nike-robot shoe clicker thing people are talking about...

...does it vibrate?

Nope, it just sits there. You just attach it to your shoe (I used tape, like this guy) and then link it to your iPod and it keeps track of how far you run.
posted by Jinkeez at 5:12 AM on May 2, 2009

Count me in! This is great timing, just started recovering from a couple of weeks off due to non-porcine flu.
posted by smoke at 6:28 AM on May 2, 2009

I just joined - trying to run regularly this month, for once. I'm entering the data manually for now but maybe I'll look into getting the Nike robot thingy.
posted by yarrow at 2:10 PM on May 2, 2009

count me in as another robotless newbie
posted by heyforfour at 6:59 AM on May 3, 2009

Cool. I'm in...
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:11 AM on May 4, 2009

Hey, wow, looking good! The MetaFilter Runner+ group has like 12 new members, and there are 23 challengers for this month's challenge!

Once again, thanks to liet for organizing the whole thing and keeping it alive this whole time--way to go!
posted by Jinkeez at 10:26 AM on May 4, 2009

I signed up for this challenge. Thanks for getting everyone started again.

Anyone know if there's a way to get the data from SportTracks into runner+? That would be nice as I no longer use the nike+ thing in favor of the garmin forerunner my wife gave me. I upload data from the gps to sporttracks and then send it to runsaturday.com. It could probably send it to runner+ too, right?

Grither, I am also doing the JP Morgan Challenge on the 11th. See you there. Sorta. (You know, if I knew what you looked like and could find you in the crowd of people who do the run.)
posted by bDiddy at 9:02 AM on May 5, 2009