I've noticed that runners definitely do have certain behaviors that are common. One of these is stealing road signs. Every runner loves to do this. I guess some sort of bragging rights are established. The other is the pastime of finding the filthiest garb to wear on runs. Vintage clothes work great as well as just wearing something that is not (and by that I mean very) suitable for running. What else have you noticed?
First of all, the running clothes observation pertains only to the male of the species. The women I've coached or run with more often than not wear spiffy, and often even color-coordinated, attire.
A few years back, I would have mentioned that beer drinking was a common trait, but recent generations, quite frankly, have let me down on that score.
idealist wrote:
A few years back, I would have mentioned that beer drinking was a common trait, but recent generations, quite frankly, have let me down on that score.
I wouldn't worry too much about the beer drinking, it's still going strong where I come from.
Good observations. I'd like to add a few based on my experience. 1. Running naked. Usually around campus loaded on Saturday night's after a meet.
2. Running the last few minutes of your pre-race easy day through the hottest sororiety's house. (Peeing in their stairwell is optional)
the naked deal is universal in my experience. but the sorority house deal?! excellent idea! makes me wish i could go back for a semester and do it right for once...
Gosh...I thought I was the only one that had a road sign...
DO NOT STEAL ROAD SIGNS!
Stealing road signs is definetly not cool. As a matter of fact a few teenage kids somewhere in the South a couple years back were convicted of manslaughter after stealing a stop sign minutes before a fatal accident at the same intersection.
Road signs are placed where they are for reasons of public safety. I think that this fact has eluded the minds of those who think that they are innocently stealing road signs.
Geez, what a goody 2-shoes.
harry mo is right. DON'T STEAL ROAD SIGNS. well, don't steal stop signs and other important traffic signs. however, i'm gonna give everybody the mcpuddlemaker green light to steal street signs such as "beaver rd." and "horny st." because those are hillarious, and nobody should name a street so rediculously in the first place. now, it's nobody's fault if you find a street called steeplechase run. you just gotta do whacha gotta do.
Yeah, I didn't know signs were such a big thing among other people either. When I got to college, I saw somebody who'd taken the sign for Magnolia Road-- THE Magnolia Road. Needless to say, I was impressed.
signs wrote:
Yeah, I didn't know signs were such a big thing among other people either. When I got to college, I saw somebody who'd taken the sign for Magnolia Road-- THE Magnolia Road. Needless to say, I was impressed.
That is pathetic.
I don't think there is much of a problem with stealing road signs that are vital. Most runners would not go through the trouble of unbolting these signs. The kind I am talking about are no tresspassing signs, signs that have fallen on the ground, traffic cones, etc. There are also many cardboard signs for events that people take for memorabilia that would be thrown away otherwise. A good example of this is at the Boston Marathon.
how about stealing the banner from the edmonton 2001 world champs and being chased around a parking lot by cops(while they were in their car) and still getting away....yet another benefit of distance running.
Let's not forget stealing various NCAA signs and banners at XC regionals and national meets.
Tried to steal a Coe Place street sign back in high school in the 80's. I was hanging from the sign when police car stopped right at the sign. Cop said " You track guys!! Get the hell down and go home!!!!". Never did get it. My massive 130 lb. just wanted enough to take it down.
Baldy