Rather than tell you which three actual things are rocking my running world lately, I want to tell you the three things I dream about for my next race. Before I can do that, you need to know this: my newest obsession is Formula 1. Yes, the very flashy cars that go around and around and around tracks in places like Monaco, Azerbaijan, the U.K., and Singapore.
I know. I didn’t see this coming, either. But Netflix suggested I might like Drive to Survive, which is a docu-series that goes behind the scenes. I thought Netflix’s algorithm was out of its digital mind. Still, I watched the first episode of the first season with the expectation that I’d nope out of it ten minutes in. Instead, I am obsessed, so much so that I’ve started watching the actual races and have, like, opinions about the teams.
Well played, algorithm. Well played, indeed.
While I don’t give a hoot about the cars — my main criteria for a good car is one that starts — I do give all the hoots about the drama. There’s so much money and prestige on the line that all of these guys (and it is mostly guys) are quirky in interesting ways. It’s a study in different kinds of management styles and coping mechanisms as well as a real life study in what crushing levels of pressure can do to someone whose only job is to go really, really fast.
Plus, the scenery — both in terms of location and of F1 drivers — can’t be topped.
I’ve adopted some of the F1 lingo for my own amusement. Warming up is now “getting some heat in the tires.” “Box, box,” which is what the drivers are told when they need to hit the pits, is what I mumble to myself during an unscheduled bathroom break.
Unlike an F1 driver, my racing life does not involve going really, really fast. But there are three things from the sport I’d love to see.
- A pit crew. In less than two seconds, these teams can change all of the tires. What runner wouldn’t give up two seconds for a change of clothes and a new water bottle. I’d even give two more for a total wipe-down with a cool cloth.
- Replacement parts. Every team has back-ups of every component of the car. Damage your front end? Let’s just snap another on during a pit stop. Need a new engine? We’ve got one right here! Have plantar fasciitis? Here’s a new foot made just for you.
- A race engineer. A whole team keeps an eye on the car’s performance, the optimal strategy, and the driver’s morale. All of that is funneled to the race engineer, who is a calm voice in the driver’s ear. I want my own race engineer, one who will remotely monitor my hydration, motivation, and heat levels so that I don’t have to retire from the race prematurely.
Those are the three things that only exist in my running dreams. What would you add?
A crew to fix any technological issues you have on a race.
My watch loses power? bam a new one replaced!
Playlist gets weird? bam a fresh new one with all your favorite songs (in the order you want) is there!
Favorite Podcast (AMR of course!) wont upload from the cloud? bam, Wifi is immediately restored and you dont miss a beat!
Another great article Adrianne! I love your writing!
I developed a secret passion for the Indy 500 in high school. For years I wanted to be on the Penske pit crew. Fast forward 30 years and my kids found me watching this year’s race. “Mom, are you okay?” they asked. (“Dad, what’s wrong with Mom?”) I may adopt your new vocabulary. :)
This is great! I started watching Nascar after joining a neighborhood betting pool and it’s been so much fun! And there is still so much drama. And it’s not even a docu-series! Just watch one of the Busch brothers stomp around and push pace cars is entertaining. Of the three, I would love to have a little race engineer in my head to guide my races in that soothing confident voice.
I soooo need a race engineer to speak words of comfort and encouragement in my head, instead of the evil left brain voice who is always hissing at me, “stop, just stop now, and I’ll make the pain go away.”
Love Formula 1 it’s so much fun my driver is (Max) he has had a rough couple races lately. I would also love a race engineer in my head while I’m running. I have done a lot of Nike runs with Coach Bennet and it is very helpful and keeps me going try it!
Box box! 🤣😂. Funny because we use the phrase “go empty you potty box”. Happy TMI Tuesday!
As a fellow lifetime F1 fan, gotta say this article speaks to my heart! Races are often on at 7:10am my time and conveniently the gym opens on Sundays at 7am. I will show up at 6:55, stand at the door with my bag to RUN to the treadmill in front of the TV. The Old Man Sauna club thought I was crazy. Box Box is a phrase we float often at home. Same with PitWall, Crew, and “I’ve got a puncture!” (Poopy diapers). My toddlers love the races and my husband and I love the sport in general.
I am 100% in love with this. My husband and I fell in love with the series, and he is watching races now. Races fall during my long run, but I look forward to the drama and scenery of a new series!
My husband and kids started watching F1 during quarantine because it was the only sport like thing to watch. But since then my 7 year old daughter has become an expert and now the entire family loves F1. This definitely is something that we discuss often, terminology and relating it to the realworld. The 2 second tire change in the pit would have been really helpful for changing my flat the other day. Hamilton would have been disgusted at my 15 minute change lol