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4 Ways Runners Can Avoid or Correct Timing Errors on Race Day

By U.S. News & World Report

When I crossed the finish line at the USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships a few weeks ago, I felt proud of achieving one of my best times — or so I thought. But when I checked the results, I found that I had recorded no time at all. What went wrong? Turns out, my timing chip had recorded my times, but had been disconnected from me in the system. Apparently, another participant had lost his or her chip and sorting that out had accidentally deleted my records in the process.

What’s the big deal? For runners around the world like me, the times we record in races are a source of pride. We relish not only the memories in our heads, but also the tangible records in the history books that provide proof of what we’ve accomplished. But as I’ve learned time and again throughout my running career, even the best timing systems can fail. Still, all hope’s not lost. I was able to get my time snafu sorted out and you can too. Here’s how you can prevent a timing error — and help the timekeeper out if one occurs:

1. Make sure your timing chip stays in place.

Perhaps the most important factor in getting a time at all is not only making sure that you start the race with a timing chip, bib or band, but that you also end the race with one of those items on. So before even crossing the start line, make sure that your timing chip is securely tied in place on your shoe and that your timing band, if you have one, is securely closed. If you wear a strap for your timing chip, you can tuck it under your sock to help it stay put. When I reported my issues the other weekend, the timekeeper first asked if I was still wearing my chip (I was) and then told me to keep it in place while he checked the records. Race organizers often say, “No chip, no time,” and by that they mean that the best way to get your time recorded is to keep that chip on from start to finish.

[See: 12 Psychological Tricks to Get You Through a Tough Workout or Race.]

2. Time yourself.

Whenever I’ve had issues with race results, the best piece of data to have handy has been my own record of the time to show to the timekeeper. If you spot an error in the results, go directly to the timekeeper and show him or her the time you captured on your watch. Generally speaking, this tactic will go a long way in getting the records corrected. Race finishes today are often recorded on video, so if there is a real dispute, the timers can watch the video to verify you came across the line.

[See: 10 Themed Races to Make Getting in Shape Fun.]

3. Finish with a buddy.

A second handy piece of information to remember is the name or race number of a person who crossed the finish line around the same time as you. When you say, “I came across with number 292,” the timekeeper can then see where you would fall in the finish order and slot you into the correct place. Don’t worry about remembering this information long term; you only need it until you see that the results are correct.

4. Address the topic right away.

It’s best to check the results while you are on-site so you can talk with the timer before the event ends. Typically, results are considered final once they’ve been published, so your best bet is to make sure that any mix-ups get sorted out before you leave. If you do notice something askew later on, you can contact the race organizer by email after the fact, but make sure you know your bib number, finish time and any other information that will be helpful in sorting out the situation when you make that contact. And treat the race officials with respect: Not only is it the right thing to do because chances are they’re working hard and trying their best, but they also have the power to disqualify you if you’re rude.

[See: 8 Reasons Running Now Will Help You Later in Life.]

Timing systems today are very accurate, but human and technical errors can still happen. If having a properly recorded time is important to you, make sure you at least capture your own time and then promptly follow up to get it sorted out on race day.

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4 Ways Runners Can Avoid or Correct Timing Errors on Race Day originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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