10 things I hate about running 10Ks
1. People who run a few miles before the race to warm up show off.
2. People who run a few miles after the race to get a ‘real’ workout.
3. Overly cheerful people. Why are you so happy? You’re back here running with me. Now you’re a bit behind. Hmmm, if I stay just a smidge ahead of you, I can’t hear you. Ok, keep it up, just a little louder. Louder.
4. Old people with hand tremors who are much faster than me. Old people who are ahead of me. Walking.
5. Overly cheerful people who patronize old people wearing Pike’s Peak Marathon (”America’s Ultimate Challenge”) t-shirts.
6. People who spit when I’m right behind them.
7. Size 2 people wearing itty-bitty shorts and tanks in 29 degree weather (”ooh, look at me, my body is an energy-efficient running machine”).
8. Getting my second wind halfway through mile 1 and realizing I’m gonna need a lot of second winds.
9. My awesomely sculpted legs . . . wait, what? is that . . . could that be cellulite and stretchmarks? Still?
10. My knees, oh my knees. Dad assured me at twelve that big thigh muscles boded well for strong knees. Thanks, Dad; I’d rather have tiny thighs and aching knees rather than large thighs and aching knees.
I could have summarized most of those as all the other people, but that might point to some deep-seated (but well-hidden) jealousy and misanthropy on my part.
10 things I love about running 10Ks
1. Really. Why else would I run 6.2 miles on an otherwise-nice Saturday morning?
2. Beating my goal time (75 minutes) by 8 minutes and 9 seconds. Life lesson: set ‘realistic’ goals, or just have really low expecations.
3. Hare-man. He speeds past me and then stops to walk. I pass him. Twice. Thrice. Frice? Slow and steady, baby.
4. One mile to go. I am awesome. I rock. I’m the best. I’m number 1. Number 1 thousand fifty-six, that is.
5. Exercise that doesn’t involve cute, coordinated arm movements.
6. Free food at the end, even if it’s all really healthy crap. C’mon, don’t we deserve a donut or three?
7. Cute guy telling me good job. He would never guess I’m the mother of three, right?
8. It’s like giving birth. Once you start, you can’t stop until it’s over.
9. Cool, LOUD running songs like Shake It by Metro Station.
10. It’s a lot shorter than a marathon. A lot.
I guess there should be something on this list too about all the other people. Without them, quitting in the middle would seem a lot less shameful. Oh, and Utah is beautiful to run in. Even in the winter (maybe especially in the winter because the lake is too frozen to stink). But those mountains, blue and white, some in shadow, some not, they hurt me. Hurt me good. Kinda like running.
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The only way I could do a ‘thon of any kind is if I could do it in a motorized cart of some kind. People are always having these running things to raise money for causes and such. I’d much rather raise money in a golf cart race or something. So you’ll probably outlive me.
Way to go Shannon! You are our inspiration. ‘Course I get tired just thinking about all your exercises and races.
Congrats! I knew you’d beat your goal time. You’ve been running like crazy the last few weeks. Another few weeks and I’ll take some inspiration from you - just like always! And of course, the 10 things format makes it so much more interesting to read about.
okay, this post made me tired. this is why i don’t run:-) no, seriously, it’s pretty inspirational to hear that even someone who *can* do it has things that she hates about it too!!!!
i wanted to let you know, also, that i wrote a post about that house episode, at http://rabbiphyllis.blogspot.com/2008/02/was-house-episdoe-anti-semitic.html
thanks for visiting me and inspiring me to write about it!
I don’t know how people run but it’s quite impressive. I just can’t do it. Well, sometimes I run across the street to beat the traffic but that doesn’t quite seem to be the same thing.
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’ve always wanted to run a marathon. I’ve run a 5K but that is it. Someday I might do it but until then I’ll just be impressed by everyone else that does it.
I’ve done a 5K before and that felt good. A 10K would be cool. I would never ever do a marathon. Way too strenuous for me.
Hello, i just discovered your blog!! Amazing! I love lists and your list here is just so spot on!!! It’s been a while since i ran a 10K but i do remember the days when i did run 10K’s and i agree with every single thing on both of your lists! Thanks, you made my day!!!
What great lists!