It’s sad really. I mean tons of people go out to run and enjoy themselves. They smile and wave at fellow exercisers. I’m normally like that, I swear. But every now and then I snap.
I went running today, as I did yesterday, just to ‘work out the kinks.’ I had my big race this past weekend and I got a personal best time. It felt good, I really felt like I’m reaching my potential. The only problem is that I think I might be getting close to my limit. I have been shaving off time with just about every race, but I don’t know if I have much more speed left in me. That was evident this past week as my calves have needed constant stretching. So after taking a few days off, I decided the best way to recover is to work it off. I’ll just go for a nice jog; nothing too fast, or with too many hills. I thought I would hit my old stomping grounds the Trail. I figured since I was taking it slow, I would jog over to the trail, run along it for a mile or so than break off and wind through a neighborhood then home. This was a route that I used to think was pretty tough…now it is a piece of cake. So I ran that route yesterday without incident and it seemed to help my legs. I figured I would put in another day to teach my complaining legs who was boss.
So I jogged the mile or so over there working through a little stiffness, but otherwise enjoying my music and the cool morning. Then I got to the trail, where I usually enjoy seeing others, especially since I have been running elsewhere for so long. Then it happened. A spandex clad girl whizzed by me like I was standing still. I tried to tell myself that it was no big deal, this was just a jog. Then she stopped to tie her shoe and I passed her…until a few seconds later when I was almost hit by her ponytail as it flipped from side to side.
Now there was no reason for this to bug me. I mean I’m not fast by any means…I get passed by people all the time in races. I’m a middle of the pack runner at best. And the fact that she is a girl doesn’t change that at all. By no means am I sexist, but I’d be lying to say that it doesn’t get the competitive juices flowing. There are tons of girls faster that me, but it helps to use that as motivation. The reason I got a PB time on this last race is because I followed a girl who was running a perfectly even pace. I’m sure she was running to beat me…it was a race after all.
So when Miss Spandex stopped a third time on the trail to stretch, I finally admitted that it was starting to get to me. It felt like she was just stopping so that she could pass me. I started making up all these excuses as I sped up a little. I was running further than her (of course she might be on mile 1 of 20), today was just a slow jogging day for me (of course she might be having an off day too, maybe her off day is that much faster than mine), I just got through running a Personal Best on a 10K this weekend (who’s to say that she didn’t get a PB on a marathon over the weekend). I mean how pathetic was I? I even considered jumping off the course earlier instead of tacking on an extra half mile before jumping off. That way she wouldn’t see me turn around and think I was only running 3 miles. I finally realized I was being stupid…who cares what she thought. But I did detect a smirk when I passed her going the opposite direction after my turn. At least I didn’t let her pass me again.
In Other News
I always complain about others doing bone headed things, so I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t call myself out when I do. I was so preoccupied with all of this competitive drama I just wasn’t thinking today. As I was jogging along the trail today trying to make sure no one passed me for a third time, I got ready do jump off the trail on and wind my way home. I slowly moved to the left for a sudden turn on a sidewalk and up a steep hill. Then I heard a biker say, “On your left” to warn me that he was about to pass me. Well instead of moving to the right and letting him by or even staying where I was; I became an idiot. Instead, I glanced, realized I had enough room, and hopped off the trail. No damage was done, I don’t even think he had to slow down, but I’m sure he rode by thinking, “What an idiot.” And he was right. I mean it would have been like 5 steps out of my way to let him pass. Was I just so caught up being pathetically competitive that I didn’t want to let anyone pass me? He told me he was “On your left” for a reason. So Mr. Biker if you are out there…I realize I was an idiot…it won’t happen again.
Speaking of Competition
I would be remiss if I did not mention this pass weekend’s football game. I know there were a few, but in my household there was only one that mattered: Auburn vs. Tennessee.
College Football holds a special place for me. I know others would disagree, but College Sports seem so much more genuine. I know, I know, Division 1 football is just as big a business as the NFL is. And all the scandals and money generated makes it a joke to call it armature sports, but to me it’s still different.
If you’re from Philly, sure it’s easy to say you’re a life long Eagles fan. But it’s just as easy to disown your teem when things get rough (although a real fan wouldn’t do that…then again a Philly fan would even boo Santa, and has). But when you are a fan of a College Football team, you just have to take it when things go bad. You can’t change where you went, you can’t change who you give your money to, you just have to listen when others have a great season and you are having a “rebuilding year.”
And don’t get me started on rivalries. They always try to invent one in Pro Sports, but they just don’t work. In College there is a lot to be said about rivalries. You may disagree and say there are different players involved, and you are right; I mean they only have 4 years to play in College. But let me tell you, I don’t care if Auburn is beating every team by 50 points and Alabama is losing to every team by 100 points, when those two play (cliché warning) Throw the record out the window.
That is why it is so hard to be a fan of a College Football Team. You wear your passion for your team on your sleeve, so everyone can rib you when things go bad. Last year I cringed every time someone mentioned our high ranking and our chances for a National Championship. Then we came out and played like a high school team.
Things seem different this year, and not just because we are winning. The team was not expected to be great, they lost a lot of Defensive players and our quarterback has never seemed stellar. But Auburn looks like they want to prove everyone wrong. The Defense is playing above themselves…Jason Campbell looks like a pro quarterback at times. I should be rejoicing, and I am, but after last season I’m worried that something might go wrong.
Anyway, the Tennessee game was a great one; I just hope we can play like that for the 2nd half of the season as well.
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