Same Time, Same Channel

I find it really annoying that if I do talk about my running, the listener suddenly has to justify why they don't run, or don't like running, or cannot run. Can you imagine how silly it would sound if it were any other topic? "I am going to France next week." "Oh, I never go to France. I tried it once and I hated it. Everything was so different from here."

I usually chose not to discuss my running with non-runners. It's hard to hold back something that is such an important part of my life. That's why I come here. I can go on and on without Eye Glaze -or at least without seeing the Eye Glaze. :)

We here on the blog love for you to talk about your running. No Eye Glaze here!

Sno and Carolyn--I hate the justifications for not running as well! I am a very private person and lately I have been letting certain people at work know more about me (i have been there almost a year). I just find that many people are very self involved. They act surprised when they found out that I run or that I have ran a 1/2. Or that I want to be a teacher and have tattoos, blah blah blah.

I just say well you never asked me what I do for fun. The restaurant business seems to be the place where employees complain about how crappy life is and I suppose when they find out how many other things I have going on they get jealous? I"m not sure.

How here is my favorite response after I tell someone I run

"OH I use to run. When I was skinny. Now I'm fat." ugh! What am I (the skinny girl) suppose to say to that? Again they turned the convo back to them...again they didn't ask about my running. So again I keep the wall up and save my stories for people that care.

Sorry Carolyn--ya struck a chord!

I have to agree with you Carolyn. Two different points I want to bring up. People who say they don't like to run because they hate it or its boring, I always tell them that I felt the same way for 20+ years, but then someone told me that if I could comfortably break the 3.2 mile distance that I would begin to enjoy it. I explain how correct they were and that I would guarentee it for them. It has proven to be true with three different friends. I then tell them that as soon as they can break the 6 mile distance that they'll be addicted (my brother told me that). Also proven to be true with two of them.

My wife and I were talking the other day and she is concerned that she isn't built to run long distances, like a marathon or half marathon. I said that some people aren't built to run a full marathon, but that I think every human being, with training, can run a half. Just my belief. I'm rambling.

You put it so well Carolyn, "we must be pretty interesting people to be able to live inside our own heads during long runs...". I think people that know their own minds are becoming extinct in this day and age, and I think distance running facilitates a keener awareness and appreciation of self, which I think leads to a better world for everyone, or at least a better grasp of the nuances of a Jerry Seinfeld episode. :-)

I know that most of my most creative ideas and interesting conversations have happened when I'm running. I think it opens your mind more then any other physical activity.

I need to run more with my music turned off. I love the alone time. Music for me, at this point, is just background noise to drown out the cars and trucks driving by. I like to run without music in the mountains. Very peaceful.

Uh oh, this is something I have actually thought a lot about!! I have to say that I actually think that people just say these type of things to stay "into" the conversation - I used to think it was a self-centered communication style, these days I am a little more accepting of it possibly being more of a form of communication that we have all learned over time (I guess the two are not mutually exclusive).

I have noticed similar type of reactions in many conversations

Person1: I am a vegetarian

Person2: a) I used to be a vegetarian

b) I don't eat very much meat

(or Sno -- have you heard of the Paleo diet ;-) -- but much more likely it will be one of the two responses above)

Person1: I am a statistician

Person2: I took statistics,

a) I got A's

b) I hated it

I think that people are simply trying to relate, and if they can't relate they try to come up with a reason why they can't so you will still value their input.

Once I noticed this happening all the time I actually caught myself doing similar things when trying to converse with people -- and so now I make a conscience effort to follow-up with something more in the lines of, "oh you run (or do something I don't know about), how long have you done that, what is it like, etc."

It doesn't take away from the "sting" of having your co-workers/friends not be able to relate to you, I know.

April - that is why you have the blog! We appreciate the effort and sacrifice you make to be a good runner!

Good points, Bonnie. Perhaps I shouldn't judge people's responses so much. However, I am still bothered by people who tell me that I'm going to ruin my knees or something along those lines.

... yes, I never said it wasn't annoying ;-). To me, it is less annoying when I try to figure out why it happends (and realize that I do it too!).

Interesting thread.

I've gotten both types of reactions as well, and I can't help but note the irony behind the fact that the majority of people who tell me they can't run because of their knees have never done much running at all, whereas many runners put in years upon years of relatively intense training and never have any "real" knee problems (aside from the occasional sore knee or inflammation here and there) Granted, some runners do end up with real injuries, and I often count my blessings with regard to my relatively short injury history, but the irony is still there.

With regard to those who just hate running or get bored with it, I seem to have an ever evolving opinion. At this point, I simply feel sorry for those who have convinced themselves to hate and can therefore not enjoy what has become such an integral part of my life, and I have a sort of pity for those who consider it boring. How empty must a life be to require constant external stimulation? (Again, irony comes in, since many people would suggest that I need to get a life instead of running so much...)

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now...

have you ever noticed that people who think running is boring also don't like to read, be alone, or enjoy silence of any kind?

People don't know how to be alone any more and they certainly don't know how to be calm. Running has taught me more about being calm than just about anything (including my children).

I got here too late and everyone else already said everthing I would have said :)

Jun you are so right - I feel the same way though about people who can't run without their ipods, even during races... I do like a good beat sometimes, but the silence and meditation during running is one of the best parts to me.

Bonnie you make a great point, people just try to relate... I understand that people may find running boring because I hate watching baseball or football on TV and most people love it, so that doesn't bother me... But what I really hate is when they tell you that running is bad for you or your knees, like Carolyn said. I love my parents, but they disapprove of my vegetarianism and of my running, but they don't back up their thoughts with science at all, they're just repeating what they hear on TV or simply what they think makes sense...

Sorry about the rambling... you and so many other running moms and the way you juggle life, work, kids, husbands, and running is so impressive!

I just make it a point to avoid people altogether. No small talk for me!

:)

Tracy--I'm so horrible at small talk!

When I'm actually running I have the same thoughts as all those people who don't run: "This is bad for my knees. How did I ever think this was fun? I could be watching TV."

When I'm not running I have insane runner's thoughts: "My day's just not complete without a run. It doesn't hurt. I miss it. I'll bet I could do 20 tomorrow."

I could sympathize with my water cooler buddies if they'd talk to me while I were running instead of when I'm not.