Got some late responses to Friday’s question about the weirdest thing ever found on the road while running:

As I was running in Alaska, I turned a corner and almost ran into a moose. Very large creature up close.  Luckily, she turned and fled!  — Jamie M.

An old wrecked airplane — Randy Harris

Many things, including a switch blade knife, $5 bill, used syringe. black bear (in West Virginia). — Randy Kulesza

A torn grocery bag with a half eaten cherry pie, a carton of melted ice cream and a full quart of milk in it. All this sitting on Oliver Road. — Linda H.

Next question….

What is the weirdest/strangest/most shocking thing you ever saw laying in the road/trail on a run?

A fat raccoon ….. the biggest that I’ve ever seen. I was running on the multi-purpose trail on the bay side @ Presque Isle and it was sitting there just off of the trail, and showed absolutely no fear of a human running so close to him. — Ramon Patron, Jr.

You asked, so…. the weirdest/strangest/most shocking thing I saw was a (presumably) used condom. — Mike Lawrence

A raccoon with a helium balloon tied around it’s waist, earlier this week on Norcross Rd. — Patrick Dwyer

At the Cleveland Marathon, I saw a woman just off the side of the road, peeing standing up. It was just weird. — Dan Cass

A giant man o’war swimming along side while running on seven mile bridge in the Keys. We maintained the same pace for more than a mile. — Paul Bressen

Dead red fox next to sidewalk at PI before ranger station pond, looked healthy, told ranger. Never saw one before. — Tom Twohig

A lynx, right in the middle of the trail a couple miles from the house…beautiful animal! — Michael Morris (who lives in Alaska)

I once found 17 pairs of bras and panties spread along RT 97 between Waterford and Pennbriar. They were obviously tossed out by someone trying to make a point as they were pretty evenly spread out. Also, when laying a hash trail one time, we found a dead guy in a car. — Chuck O. (OK, you win with the dead guy, Chuck!)

I’ve seen plenty of disgusting things, but the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen was a porcupine on U.S. Route 62 in Warren. It was dead, so I spent plenty of time looking at it….and then felt really weird about examining roadkill.

What’s the best or most memorable spectator sign you have seen at a race?

* “My mother’s faster than your dad.” — Mike Vieyra

* “At the Richmond Marathon, little kid was holding a sign that said ‘This is the worst parade ever!’” — Tom Grant

* “Run like you stole something,” — Amy Cronk

* “‘Hurry Up Mom! Daddy didn’t give up breakfast and we’re hungry!’ Full disclosure- this one was designed and held by my own children.” — Rhonda Berlin

* “‘Run like you stole something’ …that one gave me a chuckle” — Amy Davis

* “‘It could be worse, you could be giving birth!’ When I saw that I was like yeah that probably hurts worse ill keep going.” — Jessie Zahner

* “The sign read: ‘Tracy! Don’t poop!’” — Tracy Jenks

* “At the Forget the PR25K, going up this gigantic hill, there was a sign half way up that said ‘Big ass hill, don’t hate the race director.’ Finally got to the top & there’s another gigantic hill with another sign saying, “Oops another big ass hill.” — Linda Young

* “It’s OK! You aren’t last!” — Lisa Shade

* “Way to go James Monroe!” — Eloise Hawking

* “The WORST race sign in a marathon is ‘Almost there.”” — Dan Cass

Here are a couple of my favorites from last year’s Cleveland marathon.

This guy below made me laugh out loud at the 12th mile:

And, this sign is awesome because of the girl holding it:

AND….some fun ones I found on the Internets at this whole blog dedicated to race signs:

What gets you through the tough part of a race/run? Where/how do you find the inner strength to power on?

In the 50K with long stretches of being alone…Aid Stations…knowing friends will be there to help you out & cheer you on…and the food is nice too.  — Linda Young

I engage in lengthy detailed daydreams about whatever I’m planning to eat later. — Rhonda Berlin

Coffee…wondering if I will get back from the race fast enough to get some before everyone else drinks it! — Lisa Shade

I think about the various training runs…. Anything that I did that seemed slightly stupid at the time…running in 5 degree icy weather…running at 4AM cuz that’s when I could run. It always makes me laugh and realize I wanted to get myself into this prediciment. — Christine Vassen

Sometimes I’ll just swear at myself.. or I’ll yell things inside my head, like “BEAST-MODE!”. And sometimes I just give up and walk. — Pat Krott

A great song with the volume turned up! I’m the crazy lady mouthing the lyrics while bopping her head and running around the Y’s track. And I don’t care. (Okay, I might care a little that I look nutso, but the track is borrrring.) — Kristen Comstock

As for me, I follow the rule below. I get pissed off — really MAD — and I run harder because I just want the &*%#@ race to be over.

Finish this sentence: If I didn’t run I _______________

…would gain weight. — Linda Straub

…become a pretty crabby person to be around. — C.V.

…my family would hate me. — Ange Eberlein

…would definitely do some other form of exercise. — Tom Toale

…would not have real girlfriends to run with; it’s just not the same running with a guy. — T2

….would be locked up in some asylum somewhere. — Jennifer Bach

…would walk. LOL! — Jodi

…would never be truly happy. I need to run. — Sandie Sweet

…would be SO stressed out! — Gina Klofft

…would ride the bikes in my garage that have been gathering dust. — Pat Krott

…would lose my mind. — Dennis Albrewczynski

…wouldn’t have met a lot of great people!! — Karen Manganaro

…would just sit on the couch and get fat again. — Theresa Konzel

…would combust. — Eloise Hawking

…get very cranky. — Pat Bruce

…would be committed. — Suzanne Clickett

…wouldn’t be able to dip chocolate in coffee every Saturday and Sunday morning. — Cyndie Zahner (Editor’s Note: Damn Cyndie for teaching me this because now I have to go home & dip chocolate in my Saturday post-long-run coffee. Love it!)

As for me, if I didn’t run I seriously don’t think I would enjoy life as much as I do. It keeps me healthy, it makes me strong, it empowers me, and it keeps me sane.

Also, if I didn’t run I wouldn’t have the awesome network of friends that I have now. Runners are blessed with a welcoming, accepting group of people from every walk of life.  We’re all very different people who share this one trait that makes us all family. That’s pretty cool.

I asked local runners: What are your running goals for 2013?

Silver buckle at Western States (sub-24), and a Boston Qualifier. — Pat Krott

To still be running at the end of 2013. — Jan Comi

To get back running – to where I was in July of 2012 – maybe even stronger and better. — Tim May

Simply to get back running after a bad injury. —Christine Vassen

I am still trying to get under a two hour half! — Lisa Shade

To successfully complete series of snares and trip wires so I can beat Heather Cass in a race through Harborcreek Community Park. — Eloise Hawking (LOL, Eloise!)

To not quit just because of no one to run with. — Tom Twohig

I want to try to do at least one half-marathon a year, and find neat places to do them. This year, my goal is the Shiner Beer Run half marathon: http://www.shinerbeerrun.com — Matt Madurski

Well since I just recently took up running and am only a beginner, I would like to get up to a mile under 7 or 8 minutes. My best was 8:26 in my sophomore year of high school and I’d like to get back to that or better. — Courtney Giordano

Stay injury free! — Ginny Sackett

Half marathon! — Theresa Konzel 

365 miles run total for 2013. — Kristen Gehrlein

To run at least 2 events this year. One at my own pace. One keeping up with Dale. — Lisa Zdunski

To not injure myself.  — Amy Morrow

To run. — Jim Lang

My goals? Meh…been there, done all that.  I’m going for a year of ordinary achievement. My only real goal this year is the help some of you reach your goals.

In that vein, check out this Runner’s World story listing the 10 Most Popular Running Resolution (all mentioned above) and how to achieve them!

It was like running in a winter wonderland at Presque Isle State Park this weekend:

This week’s question:

What are your running goals for 2013? Comment on this post or Email me at zipdang22 at aol.

After reading SAUR’s 15 Unwritten Rules for Runners, I asked area runners to ask me what they would add to the list:

When running a country route, do a drive by first–not for mileage—to look for unleashed farm dogs. I have found people with shepherds and pitbulls rarely put them on leashes….and they aren’t interested in the least in dog biscuits. — Eloise

Don’t draft—-running so close on my heels that I feel the need to pick up my pace even more to get out of your way! Kept it up in one training run only to have that person tell me they “loved” my pace after I got to the end of my run—thought I’d choke them if I had any energy left! — Sarah Rose

My addition would actually be directed to walkers who walk the same race that runners run in.  Walkers, please…..don’t walk 4 and 5 across during a race where people are also running.  Nothing sucks worse than having to slow your pace or stop completely because walkers are hogging up the lane.  Actually this can apply to runners as well, I suppose.  Thank you. — K

I asked area runners, what’s the best running advice you’ve ever gotten?

You can run through any injury as long as you use common sense and moderation. — Tom Toale

My dad told me alternate hard day, easy day and take Sundays off. Don’t run over 1000 miles a yr. I don’t even run! Lol — Karen Vrenna Coccarelli

Have fun. — Pat Krott

Everyone is welcome / invited — Christine Vassen

Increase mileage by no more than 10% a week or you’re looking for an injury!! PLUS–the most helpful invention for runners—Body Glide!!!!!! — Sarah Rose

To start! It’s life changing! — Karen Groshek

Poop before you run!  LOL — Tracy Jenks

Never start a race at full speed…save your energy. — Michelle Hetrick

When running in the woods (where there could be bear, coyote, etc.) make sure there is at least one runner slower than you. — Cyndie Zahner

Enjoy your friends or those you run with, but know how to be alone and trust yourself while you push. — Greg Cooper

Listen to your body…easier said than done, but great advice. — Ginny Sacket

Don’t stop to walk unless you have picked out the point you are going to start to run again.  — Amy Cronk

Run barefoot! I would have quit running years ago if I hadn’t given up the shoes. — Tom Madura

Have fun! — Dennis Albrewczynski

I’ve gleaned lots of useful tips from runners, doctors, magazines over the years, but one of the most important lessons came from a running partner who had many more years (and miles) on his running shoes than me who insisted I take rest days when I was training for a marathon.

There was a time that I never took rest days. Never. Like never ever (sorry, listening to a little too much Taylor Swift lately) On my “rest days” I’d walk — 4 to 6 miles — because I was afraid I’d gain weight if I missed workouts.

Exasperated at my refusal to take a real rest day, he simply said….”Why are you running a marathon? Is it to lose weight or to accomplish 26.2 miles? You have to decide because you really can’t do both. Which master are you serving?”

Some of the other sage advice I’ve gotten:

* Write the date you bought your shoes on the tongue of your shoes with a Sharpie marker so you know when to replace them.

* Buy two pairs of shoes if you run consecutive days so you can switch them out (and you often get free shipping).

* When it’s dark or at twilight, sunset….Wear a reflective vest/coat or consider yourself roadkill.

* Carry a flashlight. When a car comes, turn it on and aim it at your feet, so the light shines on your moving feet and doesn’t blind you or the driver.

* “Real” running clothes are worth every dollar.

* Yak Trax work.

* Listen to your body…it will tell you everything you need to know (But, like Ginny said above, heeding what your body says is the hard part).

* When you run in a group, establish an order so you know who jumps in front of who when a car comes and you have to go single file.

*Big race at PISP? Stop at the Ranger Station for your final pit stop (and avoid the porta-john lines).

* Run your own race.

* You don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself.

* Shake out your shoulders/arms in a race. Runners have a tendency to tighten their muscles and “hunch up” when under stress. Shake out every mile or two.

* Train at a pace that allows you to talk, but not sing. Race at a pace you can’t  have a conversation.

* Never engage (flip off, yell back, etc.) an angry driver. They have a 2,000-lb. vehicle that can definitely outrun you.

Mmmmmmm……Let’s talk about food. What’s your go-to breakfast on a race day and how early do you get up to eat?

Banana and spoon full of peanut butter. I Wake up at least. 1 1/2 -2 hours before race time…..but I still consider myself a newbie at races so I get nervous I am going to forget something etc. — Linda Straub

About an hour before I leave the house, I have a protein shake and a cup of tea. — Tom Toale

When I was in my 20s & early 30s I had nothing but water. Now that I’m older (and theoretically wiser) I’ll have a half of a bagel with nothing on it. If the race is longer (like a half marathon) I will also have a small banana to top off my glycogen stores. And water – always water. — Sandie Sweet

Short race: bagel with peanut butter.  Long race, add a banana. — Patrick Krott

Banana with peanut butter one hour before. — Amy Morrow

Banana and water 1hr before race — Kristen Gehrlein

Whole grain waffle with peanut butter on it and some sliced banana. I fold it like a sandwich & eat it in the car. — Rhonda Berlin

A Cliff bar, one cup of coffee and water. — Lisa Shade

I eat 2 hours before, usually a bagel with peanut butter or a chewy almond trail bar! Oh and coffee!! — Karen Groshek

I try to eat a bagel before my annual marathon, but am usually nervous enough that I can’t even finish it. I really wish more races were in the afternoon/evening, I ain’t a morning runner. — Michael Morris

Either oatmeal with honey and cup coffee, or English muffin with honey and cup coffee. — Ginny Sackett

Peanut butter on half a bagel and a banana—–PLUS a couple cups of coffee—-all a few hours before the run! — Sarah Rose

Greek yogurt and an English muffin! 45min before — Suzanne Clickett

Like many of you, my pre-race meal depends on how long the race is. For a shorter race (anything less than a 15K), I usually just grab a banana.  For a 15K or half marathon, I try to eat 2 hours prior and stick with a bowl of Cheerios or a bagel with peanut butter and water, of course.

I rarely eat before training runs — even long runs — though I sometimes eat a banana if I had dinner early the night before.

Marathon Morning Meal  Advice

Check out this Runners World video for tips on what to eat on marathon morning and what to look for on room service menus for breakfast on your big day.

Autumn recipe

Speaking of food — check out this recipe I’m loving this week for Butternut Squash with Apples . While it’s a pain to cut up the squash, this is one delish autumn dish.