Friday, November 15, 2013

The Over Under

If you're a runner and you've turned on your computer, phone, or tablet in the past few days, you've probably seen the piece in the Wall Street Journal by Chad Stafko entitled "Ok, You're a Runner. Get Over It." If you have somehow missed it, go ahead, click on the link.  I'll be here when you get back.

*elevator music*

Ok, we all on the same page now? I have seen lots of responses to this article, including one from Mark Remy of Runners World.  People have called the original piece "stupid," "rude," "full of asshattery," etc, etc.  While I was out on my run yesterday morning, I was thinking of the article and how I am pretty much the exact opposite of the "typical runner" that he described.  You know, the one who wants attention?

I ran on a paved trail yesterday so that I didn't have to run through my neighborhood, because I didn't really want to be seen by anyone.  Some days, running through my neighborhood makes me self conscious - because of my weight, because of my speed (or lack there of), because of all the little things that make up my insecurities.  I prefer to run in the park or on the trail because 99.999999% of the people that I encounter in those places are also out there, running (or biking).  They understand why I'm out there, as I've said before, they are my tribe.  My  people.  I am not ashamed to be running a 12:30 pace and get passed by someone doing a 7:00 pace.  Doesn't bother me in the least - because I am out there, same as they are, and we are the same at that  moment.

Non-runners, however (like the illustrious Mr. Stafko), make me self conscious.  Why is that?  Why do I let someone who does not (maybe cannot?) do the things that I do feel bad about the way in which I do them?
Why is it that when I run through my neighborhood, I fervently hope that I don't see anyone that I know?  It makes no sense.

I'm not sure where I'm going with all of this, except to say that the WSJ "article" was a piece of junk, and that I run for me, not for any "pat on the back."   Also, I need to stop thinking negatively about myself when I run through my neighborhood!

I'm sure I had other, grander points to make, but I started this post on Thursday and it's now Friday and honestly, my blog post ideas can be fleeting. LOL

In other news...... I am down 1.2 lbs, which I am happy with, but if I continue to lose 1.2 lbs per week over the next few weeks, I will not win my DietBet.  So I need to step it up!  "Dieting" is not my thing, but I have been paying attention to what I'm eating, and getting back into running is helping, too.  The Girl Scout cookies that were delivered to my house on Wednesday, however.... yeah, they're not helping so much.  Though, for the first time in the history of the world, I've had 4 boxes of cookies (well, I had 5, but I gave one way pretty much immediately - thank you, Liz! LOL) in my house since Wednesday, and I have only eaten a couple of cookies.  Normally over the course of two days it would have been a couple of BOXES.  So I say that's progress! =)    It also helps that I went to the dentist yesterday and my mouth hurt for hours afterwards.  No eating for this girl! I even went to bed at 8pm yesterday, so I got to skip my usual 9pm snack when I'm up watching crappy t.v. =)

Fingers crossed I can keep up the reigned-in eating, and I can step up my running and working out.  We'll see.

Happy Friday, all!

5 comments:

  1. I'm not really sure where that guy was headed with his article. As a long-time runner (almost 30 years) I have seen a lot of changes especially in the number of people running now - I think it's awesome and that the main thing is every single person who runs (doesn't matter how far, how fast or how long they've been doing it!!!) is doing something good for themselves and should feel proud. If part of the proud is in a bumper sticker - great. If it is rewarding themselves with new running gear - awesome. I can't figure out why any of those things would bug someone but I guess everyone has something that they like to complain about.

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    1. I honestly think this guy had a deadline to meet and just had nothing to talk about, so he just started typing, and this drivel came out. Seriously.

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  2. That article is crazy! What about those people who put a sticker on their car for every country they travel to or those that put the fish on to show that they're Christian or those who have political bumper stickers...some people are showy, some are not. It applies to everything in life, not just running.

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  3. I worry about that, too. . .for the first 5 minutes then I start thinking about other things, like how awesome I am for actually running in the first place :) You rock and should not let non-runners (or anyone for that matter) ever make you feel insecure!

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    1. Aww, thank you! =) And you're right. I don't know why I worry about other people. Or why I'm so self-centered that I think anyone is even paying attention to me, anyway! ;-)

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