Running: 3 Things You Hate, 3 Things You Love

Love:

1) the thrill you get when you win a race

2) going on long runs to clear your mind

3) finishing a really tough workout/race and the accomplishment that comes along with it

Hate:

1) being injured

2) meets that last for hours and hours

3) when people say running is not considered a sport

Love:

1. Running in my local park

2. Being able to drink beer and not get too fat

3. My college memories of my team and conference and national championship races

Hate:

1. Being injured

2. Thinking about how fast I used to be compared to where I am now

3. Wondering if my body will let me actually train again instead of getting hurt every time I hit 50 miles with a workout or two in a week.

Love:

-That amazing high you get from winning a race

-The satisfaction of finishing a long hard run

-The pre-race anxiety shared between all competitors

Hate:

-Running in the winter/snow

-Bombing races or workouts; underperforming

-People constantly complaining about the sport. If you hate it, don't come to practice

Love:

1) The feeling of being in shape, knowing I'm out accomplishing something everyday, while most people are inside watching, "American Idol," and eating cupcakes.

2) Being, "that guy" at road races. You know, "that guy" that everyone looks at and thinks, "shit, I'm not winning today..."

3) The days you feel perfect. Like when you're out on a meaningless 8 miler, but have th ability to drop endless miles at what seems to be you race pace without feeling the slightest bit exhausted.

Hate:

1) The people who yell, "put some pants on, (when looking at my shorts)" or, " run Forrest run," when I'm running the streets.

2) Guilt for missing runs, even when you need to.

3) Running on hot and humid days during July and August.

LOVE:

1.) coaching & sharing my knowledge on the sport

2.) the perfect run/runner's "high"

3.) feeling like a kid again while running (such as running in the rain)

4.) being a role model of fitness (No, that's not a cocky statement; I merely mean that I'm "older" & still doing miles & workouts, & I know most people my age are fat & out-of-shape.)

HATE:

1.)injuries

2.) running in cold weather

3.) not running (i.e. talking myself out of a run or missing a run because of work or coaching)

3 things I hate:

1. dogs

2. dogs

3. dogs

3 things I love:

1. The feeling after a run

2. getting away from the distractions

3. health benefits

722 wrote:

Hate:

1. Reading negative posts on Letsrun about pros, "hobbyjoggers," and just the overall pessimistic views that people feel they need to express here.

I don't think many letsrunners have problems with "hobbyjoggers". It's only when "hobbyjoggers" have either a false sense of entitlement or delusions of grandeur that people have issues (ie Dean and Heather). Those that work hard, enjoy running, and know their relative position on the running totem pole, more power to you!

3 things that I love:

- That feeling when your controling the race

- How light you feel after a workout

- Racing in crazy weather

3 things I hate:

- A bad start that compromises your entire race

- Waiting for the race

- Illness and injuries

Hate:

winter

rain

injuries (even though i never get them)

Love:

when the pack goes out too fast (and i don't)

the bros on my team

running with no shirt

Things I love...

1. The feeling when you are wiped out from a hard effort, knowing you gave it your all on that day.

2. The comradarie of the sport (For the most part)..You know, sitting back with friends after a run and just hanging out for hours

3. Battling the internal demon that tells you to stop or to run slower or there is pain and overcoming that.

Things I hate...

1. Marathoners being obsessed with PR's (Just because you didn't PR doesn't mean it was a bad race...Also, who cares what my PR is? )

2. Outrageous entry fees (But hey, you get bands on the course, a tech shirt and a medal for finishing!)

3. Always being asked why I run so much by non-runners. (Who cares? You do what you want, I will do what I want. You enjoy sitting watching football for 7 hours every Sunday, I don't!)

...and my fourth item that I hate would HAVE to be Race Directors that don't give me $2000 to cover my travel experiences for my marginal sub elite time.

Hate:

Not improving

Running in the cold rain

Puking after races

Love:

Running in a trail in the spring

People you meet associated with running

Having an awesome physique

Love:

1. Finishing a run on a gorgeous day, when everything felt right and effortless.

2. Looking in the mirror and realizing I'm getting fit.

3. Achieving a goal previously set for a particular race.

Hate:

1. Being injured.

2. Terrible weather and road conditions.

3. Lack of/bad TV coverage of running events.

Just when I thought the Letsrun message boards have completely degenerated into nothing worth reading, another great thread pops up.

Love:

1. That perfect run where you feel like an internal motor is powering your legs and you are only there to enjoy the ride

2. The ability to go to interesting places to run a race - great excuse for a vacation

3. The feeling of self worth resulting from taking care of my body and challenging myself through daily runs & running goals.

Hate:

1. People that take the sport way too seriously. If they have a bad workout they "pulled a hammie" or if they had a bad race they were "just taking it easy that day" or if they hadn't run 10x5k on the track that morning they would have surely hit their times this afternoon

2. Guilt after taking a day off especially when I had the time/opportunity to run but didn't

3. Running in the summer in the south

Love

1. The feeling in the middle of a long training run when you realize the training is paying off.

2. Sunday afternoon and evening after the Army Ten Miler, it's the once a year gathering with many good running friends, both military and civilian.

3. New running shoes

Hate

1. Getting old/slow.

2. Humidity.

3. Getting old/slow.

Love

1) Winning races, especially on the track

2) All of my best friends

3) Great training blocks (that eventually lead to great race performances)

Hate

1) sickness

2) anemia

3) exhaustion

LOVE

1. High from running - especially super long runs, tempo runs or workouts

2. Feeling super fit being able to eat whatever and stay super skinny

3. having other run partners who love it just as much as you

HATE

1. Low iron especially trying to live at altitude and train

2. Giving everything I have to the sport but knowing I am so far off from being elite

3. Pre-race nerves

Things Love:

1. Teaches Hard work

2. Accomplished feeling after hard workout or race

3. Being on a team

Things Hate:

1. Disappointment when run bad

2. injuries/illnesses

3. Have to run everyday to maintain shape

Love:

health effects

the accessibility and demeanor of the sport's elites

the feeling of a nice trail run-- I feel like a kid again

Hate:

mega-events that focus and congratulate everything but quality performances

Races that fill months before race date, so first-timers have to commit financially to something they might not be able to complete

the whole notion of "Gallo-walking"-- that walk breaks make you a better/faster runner. If they were so effective, how come the elites aren't using them to get their top performances?

HATE

1. pounding it on easy days

2. coaches that don't know what they're doing but insist they do (eg. dunham)

3. TRACK (and also fartleks)

LOVE

1. Cross Country

2. how therapeutic it is for the mind and body

3. using it to get rid of hangovers

4. making running plans for my lazy friends