Why Running Sucks

The Shirt.

This morning I saw a guy walking the opposite direction I was running. His shirt said, "RUNNING SUCKS." I've heard of people wearing this Nike shirt while running to emphasize the fact that running does indeed suck, sometimes. But this gent wasn't running. He was probably ~50 years old, and at least 100lbs overweight. I'm guessing that for him, at that moment running would suck, big time (no pun intended). I was in awe of him for wearing that shirt---clearly not a runner, but still telling it like it is, perhaps?

That made me wonder...What makes running suck? A couple of things come to mind. The first thing that makes running suck is running while you are in denial.

Denial. It's not just a river in Egypt, folks.



Nice for massaging the bad foot.

Since April, I've been in denial. Big time. I have a clear conscience now that a few weeks ago, I finally came to terms with the fact that I have the dreaded enemy of runners---AN INJURY! Tendonitis is my usual foe, so I could accept the fact that the nagging, yet intermittent right arch, and heel pain was indeed Plantar Fasciitis. It hasn't changed my training plans, too much. I am doing the mileage, but without speedwork. I am actively treating it with ice, foam rolling, massage, and even tried a little tape. We have this little ball that works really well.


You know what doesn't suck, though? SUMMER!!! Now that it's August here in Oregon, Summer has finally arrived. Summertime and living is easy...Bradley's on the microphone with Ras MG.

Oh, sorry. Distracted.

The long summer days are an inviting time for getting lost in a good book. I am planning to do my first Ultra in October (Autumn Leaves 50K), so I have been reading a ton of books about people who run really, really far, and the awesome places where they run. The books have been a mix of stories and narratives, infused with training and nutritional advice. For the most part, the ultra running community is very friendly, not super competitive, as they know they are all going against the course, not each other. I LOVE this mindset! I've been feeling greatly inspired by the stories I've read, but still a little worried, and apprehensive about going the distance.

My hope is that finishing a training program help calm the my internal worry-wart. Yesterday, I set out for 24 mile training run. This was my longest run since the Vernonia Marathon. It was a nice day, cool and comfortable and the route was a mix of back roads, and suburban streets. That brings me to another thing that makes running suck---runners who are looking to compete (with me!) during regular training runs.

Yesterday, at mile 22ish, I met up and ran along with another runner for about a mile. Actually, I passed him, then he passed me before we talked for a little bit. He was wearing a head lamp and a waist hydration belt. I figured from the gear that he must be running at least 20 miles, maybe more. Nope. He was running 12 miles. I think his head almost exploded when I said I was 22 miles into a 24 miler. His response, "And, you're running this pace?! Boy, I've got some work to do." Competitive much?? Really, man, it's best not to compare yourself with other runners. After reading all summer about Ultra Runners, I've embraced the concept we're both running against the course or in this case, the slope on Murray Blvd., NOT each other.

That reminded me of 14 miler I ran a couple of weeks ago. That day, I was running along listening to a podcast, when I noticed a guy running up along a side street that was going to intersect with the street I was running on. A little while later, I stepped into the grass of the parking strip to change my iPod to music since the podcast had ended. When he ran by, the guy said, "I knew I'd pass you, eventually." I suppressed the urge to say something smart-ass back, like-- "Really, Dude? I was stopped when you passed me." Instead, I just thought, "just run like normal." Music always makes me run faster--usually 30 seconds per mile faster. Obviously, I passed him again.

He caught up to me at a traffic light a little while later, and I decided not to trash talk. For what reason? Trash talking works in some sports, like Basketball, Football or even Bowling---think of Walter in the Big Lebowski. In the world of running, it just seems out of place. I never saw him again...but, I think that the proof was most certainly in the pudding. Eventually passing me didn't happen.

So, yes, running can suck. To me, it sucks a whole lot more when people get all competitive. That takes the enjoyment out of it for me. Granted, being injured makes running suck pretty bad, too. I guess I'd rather have no assholes and no owies...Is that too much to ask?