A commonly asked question by runners is “what do I do about a runny nose during a race? What is the proper etiquette?” An extension of that question is “should you get mad when someone else blows their nose and it hits you?”
For those of us that have run a race before you’re probably well aware of the amount of nose blowing that happens during a race. And if you’ve ever been a race spectator you have likely witnessed snot rocket after snot rocket as runners go whizzing by. The snot rocket is the most effective technique for any runner. You simply plug one nostril with a finger, turn your head to the open nostril side, then forcibly expel air out the open nostril and let the snot fly. It gets almost everything out and you don’t have to break stride to do it.
It may be gross and personally forgettable (especially if you get crop dusted by someone else’s snot rocket) it’s an essential part of running. Runners build up a lot of snot. Why? Well, for several reasons. Races tend to start early. Early typically means cold temperatures. Cold temperatures means a runny nose. Running also builds up a lot of sweat that sometimes gets in or around the nostril, moistening particles that may already be in your nose. Combined they make a snot rocket cocktail (gross but true).
Race day etiquette suggests you do a couple of things as the nose blow’er. First thing, check to your left and to your right and immediately behind you before you launch a snot rocket. If there is someone behind you please make sure they are at least 3-4 strides behind so that they don’t run through the mist of your nose blow. If you are crowded in during a highly populated race, then you can always take the sleeve of your shirt and blow/wipe accordingly. If you end up running into the path of a nose blower please don’t lose your cool. It certainly wasn’t intentional and running is a friendly, community oriented sport. Let them know to be a bit more careful next time and go on your way. Lastly, if you decide to run with a cold I would recommend stuffing some tissue or a hankerchief in your shorts pocket so that you can wipe or blow frequently without disrupting others.
Image compliments of askadri.com
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this article made me laugh. happens on the bike all the time. I used to kind of snort up my snot and spit it out my mouth but have found the snot rocket to be more effective although it tends to get on my sleeves.
next maybe you can write about peeing while running. that I have yet to master.
Peeing while running…. wow, I’ve never seen/heard of that. But something tells me it’s happened before both intentionally and unintentionally ;D I’ll slate that for some research and a write up! Glad you enjoyed the article.
Great article. I have to do this all the time and always feel gross. Its good to know I’m not alone and shouldn’t be ashamed.
Don’t feel ashamed my friend
It’s all a natural part of running!
blowing the nose while running creates more space in the lungs and you
can run faster.It helps to clear nose blocks.
Thank you. What about if i have to pee and don’t want to stop or slow down?
[...] lesson of the past month or so: Always bring tissues when running! I am not proficient at blowing snot rockets and I don’t want to do it on my shirt, so I need the [...]