Running On

Marathoners' continuing saga.


What I’ve Learned: Running Edition


I’ve been running for years. YEARS, people. 40 plus, to be exact.

~Cue HIGH-larious dinosaur jokes here~

As a runner with that many years behind me, I’ve learned a few things. Some even about running!

* The elements (heat/humidity/rain/cold) always win. Period. Dress/hydrate/fuel accordingly.

* You may be running on the correct side of the road (runners ALWAYS face traffic), but if you point out the error of a runner passing you on the same side of the street (because you care about their safety), they WILL glare, believing you’re on the wrong side. It’s a losing argument; stubbornness trumps safety for some peeps.

* Kids on a playground WILL race you along the fenceline. Let them win. If we’re lucky, it will be the start of their running addiction.

* You don’t have to break the bank on running shoes. $60 can buy you a decent pair. Although, draw the line at $15 Trac shoes from Kmart.

* Your neighbors are watching you, even if you don’t see them. While on his nightly walk with Dexter, Husband happened to stop and talk with a neighbor seven blocks away (someone he didn’t know), and the neighbor asked if he knew “that girl who runs all the time.” When Husband revealed we were married and that I had once said it was nice to see different neighbors out when I run, the guy offered this: EVERYONE on this block knows who she is (a block that covers 10-15 other blocks). He indicated they keep an eye on me. ~gulp~ I will say this, I have the nicest neighbors one could ask for as a runner. It’s nice to know folks I might not see are looking out for me.

* Non-runners will never understand why you run. They’ll ask you all kinds of questions, listen to your passionate answers, but won’t be able to grasp the fever unless they themselves start running.

* Some runners like to run in packs; some runners like to go it alone. There are no rules. Well, other than ALWAYS facing traffic.

* Some runners love talking about and comparing their injuries. Kinda like that scene in Jaws:




* It’s true, many runners run so they can eat. Generally, we lurv our food and drink. Please don’t hate on us for being able to get away with it; we’ve earned it with sweat equity, baby. If you think it’s easy, come join us during a run when it’s hot and humid, or rainy, or cold, or…

* Runners are generous. They will share everything they know in order to help you get the most out of the sport. They hold nothing back.

* Runners are annoying. They love to run so much that they want you to run with them and will never stop asking. COME ON! Wanna come run with us?!

No seriously, come run with us.


Follow me daily on Twitter, “like” me on Facebook, and come along every Thursday.

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Patti Tucker