FAQ: June 2014
Question
I registered for a race but now I can’t do it. Can I just give my bib to my friend? I don’t care about selling it, but she has offered to pay me for it.
Answer
In general, most race entries are not transferrable. That means you have to take the “DNS” (Did Not Show, in race parlance) and eat that registration fee. That’s why many people simply opt to sign up as late as possible; sure, you pay more money, but you’re not paying anything if something comes up and you can’t participate.
Some races will allow you to transfer a bib or even defer to another year. If you read the fine print on the registration form, it will have language that makes this clear. You can always contact the race director and state your case. Race directors are regular people who are nice and, with the right circumstances, they’ll work with you.
Question
I’m training for an upcoming goal event on a limited budget. There’s a race coming up, and I need a training run of approximately that distance. Since the course is already there, can’t I just jump in and run it, as long as I don’t cross the finish line? Seems like no harm, no foul to me—I won’t take any water.
Answer
There’s a word for this: banditing. If you didn’t pay the fee for the race, you don’t belong on the course. It really doesn’t matter whether you’re crossing the finish line or not drinking from the aid station—your physical presence is one body’s space, moving along among many. What’s really offered in a paid event is the dedicated space to freely participate, and that’s made possible by the efforts of many people (race directors, course certifiers, volunteer planners, city workers, medical support). Somebody pays for all of those parts, and if you want to take advantage of the benefits, you need to contribute.
Question
I wear my contacts while swimming, biking, and running, though I’ve heard you’re not supposed to. I’ve heard you should instead get prescription goggles or sunglasses. Should I stop wearing contacts while I exercise?
Answer
If you’ve been wearing contacts while exercising with no problems, proceed with caution. Know what works best for you. Be sure your eyes are nice and dry in your air-tight goggles, especially when swimming in open water. If you have leaky goggles, you run the risk of getting harmful bacteria in your eye, which can latch onto your contacts.
As for biking and running, a good pair of sunglasses should do the trick. They’ll keep your eyes protected from wind, bugs, and other debris. If you’re prone to dry eyes, keep contact solution or eye drops in your gym bag. You never know when you might need it.
Do you have a workout question that needs addressing? Submit your healthy conundrums to FAQ@austinfitmagazine.com (please include your name, email address, and phone number with your question).
