I’m not in love
with team sports. Because I’m an adult
and that makes opportunities for organized team sports both minimal and
awkward. Because I’m not that good and
hate to drag others down to my level. Because
I’m not a fan of the team mentality that leaks into competitiveness no matter
how low key the game.
So running is
perfect for me.
The only person I’m
running against is myself. If I choose to race, since I’m not at the
front of the pack by any measure, I run to better my own time, to set a new
personal best/record. No one to drag
down, no weird “be in it to win it” mentality.
It’s all on me.
But running is not
me out there all on my own, either.
There’s the Runner’s
Nod. The chin down mid-stride
acknowledgement of another runner on your route. No smile required unless a jog stroller is
involved. Even I understand the
unwritten rule that you must always smile at babies. And since I run where I live, I see the same group of people. We've gotten to know when we run and where. We wave to each other at races and say hi in restaurants.
There are the
Races. Go to a few and you’ll start recognizing
faces. Look at the results and you’ll
get names. Stick around for the after
parties and you start to make friends.
Be honest about the times you run, how often you train, and when you’re
running again. These people are on an
endorphin high and they love what they do.
They want to talk about it.
There’s the Running
Store. These are places to meet up, talk
pace times, sign up for races, bitch about your stride, and exchange best
routes. They are also good places to
find groups to run with. These often
have fun, helpful hint sort of names like “Joggers and Lager1” or “Early
Birdies2” or “Daddy and Me3.” The people who work in these places, unlike
in Sears, are almost always runners, and they really can help you. Yes, some of them are subsidizing a running
career with minimum wage employment, but most are just enthusiasts. They want you to like running. They will not taunt you.
In fact, that’s one
of the things that never ceases to amaze me about running. It’s like a cult of
crazies who want nothing more than for you to drink their KoolAid.
Try to get into
volleyball; all the players want is someone who already knows how to play. Take up tennis and welcome to the cold
reality that a match against a craptastic newbie is irritating and long. Really, really long. My all time favorite is ultimate Frisbee. Those kids are crazy, and not so open to
teaching as they go. It’s hard core go
hard or go home out there. But
runners? Not so much. Since everyone already thinks they’re crazy,
they’re intrigued by the idea that you might become one of them rather than
assuming that you’re competition. Now,
there will always be assholes in any sport.
People who think that because you run a 30 min 5k you’re a looser. Or don’t do full marathons. But these people are A: asshats, B: few and
far between, and C: going to have a come to jesus moment if they keep with the
sport long enough. No one runs a sub 2
hour marathon forever. Besides, it’s
pretty easy to steer clear of the folks trying to make it to Boston.
I was talked back
into running by a marathoner. Encouraged
to keep at it by a 1st place finisher at a 5k. Had my stride improved by a guy from four
states over as he blew by me at a ½ marathon.
These people had nothing to gain from encouraging me.
The reason I’m a
runner? They understood that they had
nothing to loose either.
It’s why I think
you should be a runner to. Get out, see
your city. Get some exercise. Sign up for a charity race. Don’t worry about your time. You’ll get there.
1Guess which one I joined?
2Yes, runners are freaks and many of them
think it’s totally good times to go 10 miles at 5am.
3How bad of me is it that one dad with
stroller is cute, but a herd of them is freaky?
That bad, hunh?
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