I’m not so mature
I ran this morning. We had nice weather for the first time since last August, so I went running while the family slept. It was hot and humid, which is a really strange feeling for April and even stranger since it hasn’t been hot and humid since, well, last August.
I ran for an hour. I didn’t want to base it on distance, just time. I know I can do OK with a 1 hour workout at the gym, so figured running an hour was ok. I kept the pace easy and slowed when I felt I was working too hard. Just an easy hour of exercise.
Its a strange feeling running in sunlight. All those things I used to pass in the dark, look so strange in the light of day. I noticed the dogs don’t bark during the daylight. I watched a hawk being chased by a crow. The road was a little wet and I had to dodge a few puddles because my running flats soak through very quickly when its wet.
On the way back, as I ran through an intersection, I spotted a woman running towards me. She came up behind me a little while later. I could barely hear her steps and she wasn’t breathing very hard. She made a remark about it being so nice out as she passed by.
For some reason, I wanted to trip her.
I don’t know why. I mean, we are both out just running, but something about young kids running along effortlessly, passing me like they are passing a damn mailbox, just gets my annoyed angry side jumping. I know they don’t mean to be smug (mostly), but I hate being passed in races (let’s face it, that happens most of the time), and I especially hate being past by the young ones. It was like that 8-year-old in racing singlet that passed me in the last 5K and said “Good effort!”. I so wanted to smack her. If I had enough air in my lungs, I would have to.
I just feel so old when I run slower. And young people passing me makes me feel 10 years older than that. I just feel like they spot me from a distance and say “Ok, first one to pass the guy with the bald spot wins.”
The worst part was, as I was walking back to my house cooling down, I spotted that woman on her porch stretching and checking her time on her watch. She a neighbor! Great. “Hey, honey, I passed that guy with the bald spot while I was running!” I’m going back to running in the dark.
My legs are a bit sore right now, which means they will be sore tomorrow, which means I’ll feel grumpy about going and running. Maybe I will go to the gym instead. There’s fat old people at the gym like me.
April 12th, 2008 23:31
Jon, the good news is that you’re running again. Get out there in the light of day for all the world to see! At least you’re not just sitting there doing nothing like the rest of us. And maybe your neighbor is saying to her husband, “hey, I didn’t know our neighbor was a runner. I saw him out today.”
Want to hear what happened to me? Five years ago, no less. I was downtown and bending over to pick up something. A guy walked behind me saying “Man, I didn’t need to see THAT today!”
Yep. Thought that would make you laugh.
April 13th, 2008 07:08
You crack me up. This post is too damn funny and reflects me running life anymore..
April 13th, 2008 07:43
I suspect those other runners (maybe not the eight year old) are thinking how impressed they are that you are running. I know when I was running, it didn’t matter how slow the other person was going, I was just always delighted to see other people doing it. Even more so when they were of a finer vintage - just goes to show how dedicated and strong-willed they are! I’d give up if I felt slow!
April 13th, 2008 09:33
When I was a teen there was this old guy who did laps around the football field, and I thought he was nuts. Later he married my mom and he became a real person, but I still thought he was still crazy to be out running at his age.
Later in life when I became a runner that perspective changed. Now when I’m out and see older people running I hope I can still be a runner when I get old, too.
But you’re not old, goofus. So snap out of it, and enjoy the sunshine.
April 13th, 2008 12:06
Yup..I agree THAT was a mature response..;-)
April 13th, 2008 17:25
I hate the little pukes that pass me in races. I say let’s smack em next time. If you smack em, I will.
April 13th, 2008 19:45
…but you’re running again! You ahve to start somewhere. Just tell yourself that you can beat her at endurance anytime…which is probably true. That makes me feel better whenever someone passes me.
April 14th, 2008 07:49
My 80 year old dad was a fast runner when he was young. He’s slowed down a quite a bit since then but he stills go out for a run at least two or three times a week. He likes to joke about the his one run in which he was passed by a sweet little lady out for her morning walk. No matter how fast you are, there’s always going to be someone somewhere faster. I always try to remind myself that I’m running for myself, not to beat anyone else. But I would have wanted to slap that little punk 8 year old too!!
April 14th, 2008 12:03
Actually, I was just stunned when I realized he was talking about ME. Then I started laughing. He was some young guy, and I thought, “yeah, well, wait until your wife has a big old fat ass.”
April 15th, 2008 11:00
you’re running!!!!
i want to smack most people most of the time.
it’s my cross to bear.
April 18th, 2008 22:21
Hey, at least the mailbox didn’t pass you!
Me? I am older than you and when I see guys older than me running faster than me I wannt to slap ‘em. If they’re younger and I pass them I just smile and run on by.
Any other situation is just something to accept with the gracious all-knowing hidden disdain you’re famous for. Just don’t let them see it.