The one where I whine like a baby ....

Summer is fast approaching.  Want to know how I know this (aside from the obvious signs)?  Because I keep finding really cool things to do, on days which are already booked up on my schedule.  Oh, and because I am starting to have to shuffle "my" cool stuff (=races) around different family plans - both families included.  I have wrote about this before, and I know I am blessed to have so many opportunities to see my family / friends.  But I cannot help but cringe/cry as I fill in my calendar with parties, baby showers, anniversaries, welcome homes, graduations, and that is not even counting any upcoming DJ gigs that we have yet to book.

I planned out my year in races back in January.  And while it is a work in progress, I have signed up (and paid) for most of them.  The other day when J and I were planning our summer camping schedule, I realized that two of the weekends he is off, are two weekends I had a bike-a-thon and a race planned.  The bike-a-thon I am not that heartbroken over, as it was more of a support thing, than actual participation (no, I am not 10!) - but the race affected me a bit more.  I mean come on - it is the Slavic Village Pierogi Dash 5k!  I have been excited for this one since February when I learned of it.  I even ordered a special shirt to run in.  And while all is not out of the question - I can already tell that my new hobby is going to be taking a back seat this summer.

I guess that is what bothers me - I don't really think that people (those in my household that are human) realize that this is something I really enjoy and something that (so far, for the past 8 months - including throughout winter!) that I have stuck with and want to improve on over the course of time.  This is not like many of my other hobbies that I start and than they go away... rather quickly.  Running is NOT going away.  And the fact that I have stuck with it for the past 8 months (did I mention all the way through our half assed winter?!) should say something.  I enjoy it, I love everything about it (except the actual runs everything!).

I know where this comes from... for the longest time, we, as a team, made fun of those people that ran**.  We would see them while we were out having fun/tailgating/etc and be all like "What a douche... who runs when there is {insert any type of fun thing going on/bad weather}?!"  We even have friends that would travel for races (insert crazy face with a "Can you even imagine?!" here).  We did not like runners - well, we liked them as people, we just made fun of them for running (yes, really.  You have no idea what a tool I felt like just now as I typed that out...).  And as I have openly admitted here, one of my fave sayings was "I don't run unless someone is chasing me... with a gun."

Things change.  I am changing.  I am a runner.  And I fully understand that I cannot force anyone into running/doing anything/even liking running and nor have a tried to, but I do need to make it understood that this is something that I L.O.V.E.  And something that seems to have stuck (despite all odds!) - so while you don't have to accept the action(running), you do have to accept the person doing it.  And respect that I do have runs scheduled, and races on the calendar.  And while I have tried to schedule the rest of the year on Saturdays on weekends that you are working (compromise is the key to life people), there are some exceptions.  And all I am asking is that you cool down the tone, not roll your eyes (when you think I am not looking) and support my new hobby.  Even if it "gets in the way."  I am happy to work around our plans/your days off - please do the same for me.  Oh, and yes, I probably will go running while we are on vacation. But that is a post for a whole 'nother day.

**Don't be offended - people tend to poke fun at stuff they feel uncomfortable, insecure or jealous about.  You should really be flattered.  Notsomuch... Oh, well than take comfort in the fact that I am now someone I used to make fun of... Crazy how life works, huh?!

I mean look how gorgeous I am when I run -
how can you not be supportive?!
Towpath 5-Miler, April 1, 2012  Credit: Brightroom 2012

Since I am on such a roll - I have a message for all of you girls at the gym on the treadmills - STOP HOLDING THE TOP while you walk.  You are obviously there to get in a good workout, and you are hindering yourself by gripping onto the top of the treadmill.  Stand up straight, look up and ahead, shoulders back and pump those arms girl!  I commend you for being here - as you are already doing way more for your health than your counterpart that is sitting on the couch eating chips (side note: I love sitting on the couch eating chips) - so quit making excuses and turn that pretend walk/run into a calorie torching workout that turns you into the Goddess you were meant to be!

Also, I like to think my liberal use of my car horn releases any tension that would likely lead to road rage. However, when I see people driving with their phones up to their ears (especially when they are driving like a nut sack and not paying any attention to others on the road) my blood starts to boil.  I can literally feel my blood pressure rising, and I just want to scream at them!  Seriously, do they think they are above the law? Ugh.

*OK, I see where this might be construed as me being high and mighty, when I have clearly done stuff that may or may not have been borderline illegal - but my blog, my rants. 


I wanted to end this post by saying "suck it" and throwing my imaginary microphone - but since I am much classier than that (and I love all of my 5 readers), I leave you with this (soooo NSFWorKids)...

Happy Thursday!