1. The races:
2. The race goodies:
Especially the race medals.
But the races are just a small part of it. There are also the personal benefits:
1. Exercise in the fresh air:
2. Pushing my body past its formerly accepted limits:
But, even those don't compare to my FAVOURITE thing:
Yup, it really is a thing
To me, there's nothing more satisfying than the secret-society-greeting you give and get when coming across another runner.
It might be a wave, a smile, or just a head nod. These may or may not be accompanied by a "hello". However, the important thing about the Secret Running Society is that you have to be cool, man. As such, I have devised the following tips to help you jump right in.
1. Smile:
But just tighten your lips and pull up the corners a tiny bit.
2. Wave:
Maybe just a quick, single hand raise.
3. Nod:
Once will do.
4. Say hi:
One or two words is plenty.
Got it? Great! Oh, but there's something very important you need to know about the Secret Running Society:
You'd give yourself whiplash and repetitive stress disorder, not to mention you would really throw off your breathing.
Sometimes people are in the middle of a really tough workout and the energy it would take to shift their focus to speak, wave, or make eye contact would cause them to fall on their face and possibly remain there for hours. (I am of course guessing this; I myself have never felt this way...)
Sometimes people are uh, preoccupied?
Maybe there's a butterfly up there.
There are plenty of reasons runners ignore other runners. Some will never acknowledge you for the simple reason that they are just too cool.
*It's elusive.*
Depending on where you run, you might not get a single acknowledgment.
Sometimes it's just logistics; for example there might be too many runners.
Sometimes it's just logistics; for example there might be too many runners.
You'd give yourself whiplash and repetitive stress disorder, not to mention you would really throw off your breathing.
Sometimes people are in the middle of a really tough workout and the energy it would take to shift their focus to speak, wave, or make eye contact would cause them to fall on their face and possibly remain there for hours. (I am of course guessing this; I myself have never felt this way...)
Sometimes people are uh, preoccupied?
Maybe there's a butterfly up there.
There are plenty of reasons runners ignore other runners. Some will never acknowledge you for the simple reason that they are just too cool.
I guess that's alright though, because actually:
So how about you? Are you a member of the Secret Running Society or are you too cool?
UPCOMING POSTS: LONG RUNS, A RACE REPORT
This made me giggle!!! I love it and every one of as so true! I usually do a small wave or if I'm not sucking wind I say hello :)
ReplyDeleteRight? And every place I go to seems to have either friendlier people or not so friendly people, almost as a rule!
DeleteI usually say "'Morning!" as my secret greeting - It's such a habit I even say it on the rare runs I do in the afternoon. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have done that many times! :D
DeleteMaybe people don't acknowledge your pleasantries because they are distracted by not dying. Perhaps that person you're crossing is not an accomplished distance runner is concentrating on keeping their lungs from collapsing and heart from exploding and that is taking their entire attention and one moment taken away from that to acknowledge another runner will make them die. Maybe. Sounds reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI love your head-nodding pictures, by-the-way. I have no idea how you did those (don't ruin the magic by explaining it either).
Ohhh, yes, not dying is very important as well. I will tell you that the head nodding pictures were done with magic. Hope that doesn't ruin it for you.
DeleteHa! I love your "enthusiastic greeting" face.
ReplyDeleteSecret societies are fun, but not fun enough for me to go running unfortunately. I'll stick with my "walking wave. "
That's completely acceptable too, I think :)
DeleteI was just saying today that I miss being a part of that club!
ReplyDeleteOh man, it definitely sucks when you can't be part of it.
DeleteI sometimes don't greet others but I always acknowledge when others do. Listed few reasons but this is true for me:
ReplyDeleteLost in deep philosophical thoughts
Working out a strategy for work
Dead tired
Very thirsty
Interval runs (I'm really gasping for breath then)
Not satisfied with my effort
Form interval (too focused on my body posture)
When I know the greeting will extend to a long conversation and i may have to stop my momentum.
When I feel that a lady may think I'm hitting on her.
These are generally the reason why I don't greet others.. but on the days these things don't apply, i do go all out to greet as i know how encouraged i feel when someone does that to me.
Good write up and illustrations!
Thanks Sanjai! Those are all very understandable reasons--I felt some of those yesterday (dead tired, not satisfied). Thanks for the comment!
DeleteI tend to occasionally ignore said co-secret-runner-society-member if they happen to have a furry running buddy with them. Then all bets are off as I'd rather cozy up to the mutt anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I do the same when i see a dog and my own dog gets far more greetings than I do :D
Deleteray ban sunglasses
ReplyDeleteadidas soccer shoes
retro jordans
minnesota vikings jerseys
coach outlet
toms shoes
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
michael kors handbags
christian louboutin paris20175.20chenjinyan
gucci outlet online
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags outlet
ed hardy clothing
longchamp handbags
polo ralph lauren
true religion jeans
coach outlet
cheap ray bans
christian louboutin shoes
michael kors outlet store
yaoxuemei20180523