Wednesday, August 5, 2015

10 Things That Give Runners the Reputation of CRAZY

There is this 1/3 mile hill in my neighborhood I’ve been using for my hill repeats. This morning I was out there running up and down that bitch 6 times. The hill goes by at least a dozen houses. Although I don’t care what people think (after all at least I am out there getting my heart rate up unlike some people), it did occur to me that it must be amusing to watch someone run up and down the same damn hill 6 times. I can just hear Aunt Gertrude now commenting as she eats her All Bran, “Come look at this Howard! This girl keeps jogging up the hill again and again. Do you think she is deranged? Should we call someone?”

When you think about it, runners can look a bit delusional and slightly masochistic at times (or is it hedonistic?). After all, running up hills is the devil’s work and not that much fun at all. But…I do it because I SWEAR with each repeat I actually can feel myself getting stronger.

Because I didn’t really want to think about how pukish I felt running fast uphill, I started thinking about all crazy stuff we do as runners. Because I am a runner myself, these things all make perfect sense to me, but I can see why non runners might see it as ridiculous. I’ve had many a person say to me that I must enjoy torture and pain because I run so much. Whatever. But, I get it. Kind of. Here are some things that might get us runners labeled as masochists:

  1. Running up and down hills on purpose.
  2. Paying $60 to $100 so we can wake up at the ass crack of dawn, run a race and get a dry bagel at the end.
  3. Running until our toenails turn black and fall off.
  4. Running until we throw up or crap our pants.
  5. Stopping at 7-11 on the way home from along run to buy 20 pounds of ice to put in a bath.
  6. Getting on a machine that is kind of like a wheel for hamsters (i.e., treadmill) and running many many miles without going anywhere.
  7. Running for hours, not minutes at a time.
  8. After long races limping and avoiding stairs because they are so sore.
  9. Eating flavored gel the consistency of pudding mixed with toothpaste.
  10. Getting up early while on vacation to “just” run 10 miles.

Funny thing is, I don’t care that I sometimes look like this during and after races.

bethcolderboulder

I love all the craziness, pain, torture, and grit that goes along with running. Because right alongside of that comes accomplishment, joy, determination and success.

Am I right?

SUAR

38 comments:

  1. Often, I will do hill repeats in popular hiking spots while my husband walks with our dogs....The looks that I get from people when I lap them on the mountain is hilarious. Of course, I'm getting quite used to people thinking that I've lost my mind. A neighbor (who I had never met before) came up to me out of nowhere at the bar and said, "You make me feel terrible about myself. You're always running! And once a day doesn't appear to be enough - You'll run with your dog and then come back and do more. What is wrong with you?" However....another woman stopped me on the bike path that I often use to run commute to work and said, "You were my motivation for running today." And that made it all worth it.

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  2. My partner jist figured out we pay for races. Thought it was so painful they let us do it free. Facial expression was classic!
    Had a guy stare at me running by just tonite who asked if I was ok and needed a ride. We all look nuts and in need of medical care apparently!

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  3. There is a hill in my neighborhood that is my hill repeat spot. It is surrounded mostly be trees, only a few homes, so only a few neighbors have seen me out there, haha. Yeah, we're not normal and we do all those crazy things, but we also get to feel the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes with the crazy! Love your blog!

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  4. I had the same thought about running intervals yesterday! "What is that lady running fast, slow, fast slow?" I've heard, "Nice socks," when running in compression socks... don't think it was meant as a compliment!

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  5. I wondered what the neighbors thought on the saturday mornings that I spent practicing tri transitions. Run down the driveway barefoot, around back, put on bike shoes, run the bike out to the street, ride around the block, jump off, run the bike to the back of the house, put on running shoes and hat, run around the block. Then repeat, usually 3 times since I would test out shoe placement and sock/sock shoe/shoe vs sock shoe / sock shoe. But the truth is, since no one ever commented, I think they were still asleep.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRtcQz8Uqk

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    3. That would have been fun to watch.

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  6. Ha! I have speedwork tomorrow, and I was thinking about what all the walkers must think as I fly around the path at high speed, heavy breathing, grunting, and god knows what else. Then all of a sudden, I stop, walk for 30 seconds, and do it all over again x 5 total miles. It's all these old people walking...I scare half of them out of their depends as I come up behind them!

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  7. Sometimes when I see people running at 5.30 in the morning I think, "Geez, these people are crazy!" until I remember that I can see them being crazy because I also am out running at 5.30 in the morning.

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  8. My husband thinks I am crazy that I get up to run on vacation. We are an interesting bunch!

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  9. This was so funny! I have 2 hills right next to each other. I run up one, down, then up the other and down. They are behind a bank drive up and a McDonalds. I doubt anyone actually notices me but if anyone does, they must think I'm sort of nuts. I like running them as I can really measure progress.

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    1. I love the thought of people stuffing their faces at McDonalds while you do hill repeats.

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  10. This was a great Post. I've always thought the same thing when doing hill repeats! I live in MN, and I know people think I'm a nut when they see me out running in a snowstorm, or freezing cold temps.

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    1. I am from MN too. Nothing like running in freezing 30 mph winds!

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  11. Love this post. Unfortunately I am one of "those" that loves hills repeats. ( to the tune of 15-20 sometimes) I wouldn't trade one bit of our torture for anything. However..... I do often think what the residents who live on my favorite hill think about me by the time the 15th repeat comes around.

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  12. AMEN, SISTER! You are so right :) Love this and your blog in general!

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  13. What's the definiton of insanity - doing the same thin over and over again and hoping for a different result? That's hill repeats. Love 'em.

    GU reminds me of canned frosting. I got a 24 pack for my birthday - salted caramel. Nice.

    How about putting body glide on all your various and sundry body parts that you expect will chaffe? Why the hell are you doing something that's going to cause chaffing on those various and sundry parts?

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  14. El husbando calls me crazy all the time. Always while shaking his head. Mostly when I'm heading out for a run.

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  15. So true!!! The looks I get when I tell others on our Hawaii vacation that I"m getting up at 5:30 AM to run before beach day starts. They think you are nuts when you choose to run on vacation. IMO, I relish those runs! It's the perfect way to explore somthing new!

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  16. I'm training for my first marathon. Someone thought I was crazy when I said I had just a short run today, only a nine miler. They thought I was insane.

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  17. Your lists are the best. Overtime I tell people I'm a runner folks usually say oh I could never be a runner. Typically there is a neverending list of reasons. Then when I tell them how much I run they call me crazy. Thank you for not making me feel like I need professional help... everybody else thinks that I do.

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  18. Oh my goodness, that race photo cracks me up!! I just had a doozie taken, myself. I showed it to my dad, who responded, "Looks like you just swallowed a turd." Thanks, Dad.
    Yes, we runners are crazy, but that's what makes us kick ass.

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    1. LMAO, just swallowed a turd!! I do think that's what I look like in that photo. I love your dad.

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  19. You hit the mark!! You captured my feelings in running on an uphill, on a treadmill and on long-hourly conditions. Great article. Cheers!!!!

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