Running tip #44
Several of my high school runners have been suffering from winter colds with congestion and seriously stuffy noses this season. At an indoor meet last week, I encouraged my miler to be sure and blow a good “farmer’s shot” before her race. Her blank-eyed gaze registered zero knowledge of my terminology … so I demonstrated (or, rather, I mimed) the one finger/one nostril technique for clearing your nasal passages.
I’ve always called this The Farmer’s Shot but when I went online to look for a graphic (ewwww!) I see it is more commonly referred to as The Snot Rocket. So, for tip #44 I say learn to master The Farmer’s Shot on a run. If you have already established that you are a Fancy Cat, go ahead and stuff those lady-tissues up your sleeve. Or, if you must, sacrifice a pair of gloves to the laundry pile. But, please God, NEVER pull up the bottom of your shirt to blow your nose like a giant tee-shirt hanky. Simply drop back from the group to discretely shoot left and shoot right … then sprint on back to catch up … no harm, no foul. And no stuffy nose.
After a couple decades of practice while running and riding bikes in the winter time I’ve gotten quite good at this. Beginners often end up with a “farmer’s spray” which is no good for you or the people you’re running with.