Me: Yeah, I"m going to get a run in before I get some things done.
ATWKGTTSDAMK: You're going to run in this?
Me: It's not snowing yet.
ATWKGTTSDAMK: You're insane.
Yeah, we are, aren't we? We're all nuts. I'm tellin' ya, runners could be classified somewhere between "cult" and "obsessive" on the crazy scale. And the needle leans more towards cult.
When the forecasters called for a good amount of snow, most people would:
A) Stay home
B) Go to the grocery store before the storm hit
C) Both A and B
Runners on the other hand would:
A) Get the run in before the storm hit
B) Suck it up, put on the YakTrax or Screw Shoes and get out there during the storm.
That's it. No "C: None of the above". We just get out there because we are insane.
At some point in our running lives, most of us (save for left coasters) have made this statement, or a variation thereof:
"I got my 11 miler in yesterday morning. It was windy and snowy, but I had my YakTrax on. It felt good to get it in!"
A normal person might have these types of reactions:
- "11 miles? I can't even drive 11 miles without getting bored, tired, or both!"
- "In the morning? That's why God invented coffee and the Sunday paper."
- "Windy and snowy? Forget it.""YakTrax? What the hell are those? For traction? You're insane!"
A runner's reaction?
"11 miler. Good for them."
And there it is. It all comes down to a debate about our sanity. Here's the thing, though: I like the fact that I'm a little bit nutty. It makes things interesting. No one marvels at the athlete that gets the first tee time or plays a game of pickup basketball. Tell them that you got up early to go run and they look at you like you just told them that you should be fitted for a purple shroud and some Nikes.
The problem is....I'm an Asics guy.
P.S. - The new episode of LaughTracks is available. Amy was MIA which meant that Ian, Mike and I took our shots at her. That, and I didn't have to edit it down to a PG-13 rating. Enjoy!
12 comments:
And that's why as a population, runners are more interesting. And why our blogs are better to read.
Crazy is good. Well, sometimes.
Liked the 'cast, but missed Amy and her R-rated verbiage.
Living where I do (Michigan, about 40 miles due southeast of our friend Nitmos) I've heard "You're crazy" more times this winter than I ever have in my life. I just shrug, as if to say, "How else am I supposed to get my runs done?" Yes, I run outside in this weather. I'm training for a marathon in May, and it's either suck it up and deal with the wintry conditions or...THE DREADMILL AWAITS. I'll endure frostnipped fingers over six miles on a treadmill.
Too funny. If I didn't run in the snow I'd be stuck inside all winter. Besides, I like running in the snow. :)
And yeah, I like that people think I'm a bit nuts. Over course, they knew that before the running thing.
Didn't the Halle-Bop dudes also have rolled quarters with them? But, in this economy, you could probably go with rolled pennies.
Clearly though, we need this insanity in order to maintain our sanity. It's a catch-22.
Lovely post. I remember the first time I said, "I have a short run tonight- only 10 miles" and the reaction it got.
Hey...this post ties in nicely with your motivational podcast. Finally got around to that one as I was out doing 12 miles in the dead of night.
Hmmm...yeah, i guess that doesn't sound as impressive.
You are right, we are all a little off. We had a big ice storm hit the midwest a few weeks ago....we lost all power and heat for a week...but on the day of the storm I went out for a run....on the way back the ice began to come down. Upon my return, my wife (who has only known me as a runner) just gave me THE LOOK. Friends at work, upon hearing the story, all said the same thing: YOU ARE NUTS.
great observation.
Just another reason I live in Florida. We freak when it's below 62 degrees and windy. It's no wonder I never thought of running when I lived on Cape Cod.
Nothing makes me smile more when I tell my friends that I woke up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday and ran 10 miles and I see the reactions....I swear half the time that's what gets me out the door.
LOL this is sooo true, we are a crazy obsessive bunch :)
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