My marathon training posts have all been pretty upbeat/cheerful so far... but after completing 15 weeks of training, I must be due for a rant, right? So here's a bullet-point list of the random things that annoy the heck out of me when I am running:
- Long Leashes. The trainings run are challenging enough as is - I really don't feel like hurdling over some people's long leashes. I get that they are out for a leisurely stroll with their dog, but if they could be a bit mindful of their surroundings, that would be great. I have seriously had to leap over stretched out leashes. Now don't even get me started on people who don't have their dog on a leash - which is actually prohibited (the path is clearly marked with signs that state all dogs must be on a leash).
- Smoking. Yes, it's a free country, but I would prefer it if smokers didn't sit on the benches along the running path of the chain of lakes. It makes me especially snarky when I see young teenagers who don't appear to be 18... I want to yank the cigarette out of their mouth and tell them how un-cool they actually look.
- OOC children. If you read my blog regularly, you know that I adore kids (especially my nephews). What I don't adore are the out of control kids I sometimes encounter on the running path. I have had some downright unpleasant encounters with children on a running path. Case in point #1: I do NOT want to play chicken with a toddler on a tricycle. If you can't keep up with your child on his bike/trike/scooter, then maybe each him how to share the road and tell him it's not running to charge head-on at a runner. Case in point #2: Last week, I came upon a small child who was with his mom. I am not making this up - he literally stretched out his arms and shuffled back and forth on the running path. I am sure some people think that is cute/funny, but I was pretty unimpressed. His mom totally saw him doing it and did NOTHING to stop him.
I'll stop there, though before I sound too cynical and snarky...
Moving on... This week I get to start to taper! You know that scene from Where the Wild Things Are where the main characters exclaim, "Let the wild rumpus start!" I feel like exclaiming "Let the taper start" with that very same level of enthusiasm!"
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Training Tally:
Miles ran last week: 34
Training-to-date mileage: 438
And now we know why those kids grow up to be disrespectful teenagers and adults! You were do for a rant and it actually made me smile, although I know it was frustrating for you! Respect is so lacking in our world!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being done with long runs!! That is AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteOmg. I am so with you on the kids, dogs, and smokers issus -- and run into the same problems. (Ha.."run into"...)
I also have noticed that "parents" seem to think it's *cute* when their dog barks and runs into a runner. AHHHH! "Not cute. I will kick your dock in the head next time"
Great post. Great rant.
I have yet to see where the Wild Things Are but I have it on my list =)
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people have their dogs on long leashes too, and I'm a dog person! It's just not safe for a variety of reasons, especially the retractable kind which can get tangled and/or the dog can stray into people's paths (including cars!)
I'm so excited you get to taper. I know you and Amber will both rock this marathon!
Hooray for tapering you runs now. People can be horribly inconsiderate and rude. Its just bad manners to not pull your dog closer on a leash when you see someone coming and to not teach your children that they need to share the road/running path.
ReplyDeleteYAY TAPER!
ReplyDeleteI have encountered ALL of those things as well. The most annoying one is children on bikes swerving all over the path - are they going to hit me or not? I never know and I've had some close calls!!
OH MY GOSH THANK YOU FOR VERBALIZING THE ANGER THAT HAS BEEN WELLING IN MY BREAST FOR MONTHS! (Yes, that required caps!). The long leashes is what kills me. In Audubon park the wide path is divided into a walking/running side and a biking side. Stretched dog leashes will often block the entire walking side, leaving you with no alternative but to cross into the bike side and promptly get creamed by Lance Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteI also get super annoyed when dog owners let their dogs jump on you, bite you, slobber on you, or otherwise hinder you...then the owners beam and say something like, "She likes you!" as if this attention is supposed to thrill me.
Hip hurray for tapering!
I think we can all relate to each of the items in your rants...the leash thing drives me nuts too and I had loose dogs on my run this weekend again (arrghh!). Good job sticking through the run even though you weren't feeling well...enjoy the beginning of the taper!
ReplyDeleteThose things would make me so angry, especially the dogs not on leashes - scary!
ReplyDeleteLetting animals and kids jump out in front of runners is SO oblivious! So lame that you have to deal with that - but ah!! You're so close!! Let the taper begin indeed :)
ReplyDeleteHooray for tapering. Now, let's just hope your pet peeves remain far away from the race course! Speaking of pet peeves and race courses ... my top two peeves are:
ReplyDelete(1) Racers who insist on walking in the middle of the course ... step to the side to let other runners by
(2) People who try to cross the race course in front of runners ... I've never once slowed down for them and might have tripped a few here and there!
Oh lord, I hate when kids and dogs are not carefully watched on the paths. It's annoying how unaware people can be. Sometimes I want to scream! Hello, Get your dog/kid/thing out of the frickin' way. Especially, when I'm on my bike. I could easily severely injure a kid or dog if I'm going 16-18 miles per hr on the bike path. People should be more careful. Yay for the taper!
ReplyDeletehappy tepering!!! enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteAs a dog owner, I totally get your rant on the long leashes. If I know there is a runner even in the vicinity of where I'm walking Luffy, I'll grab up his leash and get him off the sidewalk. It's amazing how clueless some people really are. Enjoy the taper!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed you didn't knock that kid over to teach him a lesson - I would have been tempted!
ReplyDeleteHooray for tapering - only a few more weeks until the marathon! So excited for you!
I hate encountering people and/or dogs on my run. I feel like it always ends up awkward. The dog scares me and makes me jump. I have to dodge some person or their kid. It's not fun
ReplyDeleteIt totally sounds like you need a bebe gun to shoot dogs, smoking teens and stupid kids. I think that might solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteOOC children DRIVE ME CRAZY! Just parent, will ya?! It's so inconsiderate, especially when they make YOU seem like the rude one.
ReplyDeleteYay for taper! I can't even believe the marathon is almost here for you & Amber! WOW!
We all need a good rant sometimes! I totally hate when people are inconsiderate on the running/walking trails. Enjoy taper!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation, you are doing good, nice run there. I love the post so cool, it detailed every moment of the run. Nice!!!
ReplyDelete