Sunday, March 15, 2009

Things people say to runners

I enjoyed writing the "You Might Be a Runner If" post for Take It and Run Thursday, so I decided to write a similar list of things that we as runners hear from the non-running population. I ran 14 miles today and had plenty of time to think of some.

What people say to runners (in no particular order):
  1. I only run when I'm being chased.
  2. Did you enjoy your jog?
  3. You know, the guy they named the marathon after died at the end.
  4. You run voluntarily?
  5. How can you eat half a pizza and still look that good?
  6. How can you run when it's that cold?
  7. How can you run when it's that warm?
  8. You ran a 5K/10K/half-marathon? I could never run that far.
  9. I just don't have the time to run.
  10. You ran the entire time?
  11. Why would you do that to your body?
  12. Don't you get bored?
  13. Can't you just run on the treadmill at the gym?
  14. I hear running's bad for your knees/back/hips/other body part, which is why I don't do it.
  15. (after telling them how far you ran) Wow. I can barely drive that far.
  16. Aren't there easier ways to lose weight?
So why do we do it? For me, it's my favorite running quote: There will be a day when you can no longer do this. Today is not that day.

5 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

I used to say #8 to people, and the bf says #15 to me all the time :) Great list!

Runner Leana said...

I love that quote! I hope the day doesn't come where I can't do this any more.

Marlene said...

Don't forget "Run Forrest Run!" Someone once shouted that out of a car window at me. Soooo original. (rolls eyes)

I will scream if I hear # 3 once more. And people love to use #14 as an excuse.

Great list!

ShirleyPerly said...

Hee, funny list! I think I've heard them all except for the pizza one (only started eating pizza recently and never more than 2 pcs so far).

Petraruns said...

I'm with Marlene - number 3 and number 14 drive me nuts (where is the hash key on my new MacBook?). There is also the judgmental "I (emphasis on I) don't have the time". To which I say - yes you do, you don't make the time...