Tuesday, February 20, 2018

I Love Running, But...

What's not to love about running? If I scroll through my Instagram feed, I see pictures of runners with smiling faces talking about their happy runs and how they're rocking all kinds of personal bests. BUT, we all know that running isn't always a bed of roses. There are a lot of things that make running hard. Things that keep other people from actually doing it or sticking with it.


What do you like least about running?

Here are mine...the things that I like least about running are:

It's two-faced - One day running feels so awesome and it's my best friend. I laugh and smile and float along. The next day it sucks and stabs me in the back. The struggle is so hard that it almost hurts. I really wish it just felt easy every time I laced up my Mizunos (affiliate).

Pubic sidewalks - There are no running trails where I live, so I have to play dodge the clueless pedestrians. When did giving space become such a hard thing to do? It's even worse when the dog walkers come out and they think making me hurdle a leash is acceptable.

Personal safety - I do not like that there are times when going for a run scares me. Where I run now, I mostly worry about aggressive dogs/animals. Sadly in the US, I worry about being alone on a trail and being attacked which is why I wear my Wearsafe tag when I run.

HILLS - Hills are so hard and now they are doubly hard for me. I've never been a fan of running them except I knew that it would help me be a better runner. Now, my knee is not a fan of running down them. So the only good thing about hills has become the worst part.

You have to really love running to get past the challenges!

Today I'm doing the link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run! 





20 comments:

  1. I hate that safety has to be such an issue for runners. And isn't is crazy how one day running can feel so easy and the next dav its really hard?

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  2. You're right: Running is so effing hard some days...heck lots of days. Ugh dodging pedestrians is miserable too. I don't have that issue where I run but dodging clueless cars that wander onto the shoulder sucks as well. Thanks for linking!

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    1. Where I live right now there are no personal cars allowed and I am enjoying that very much! I just hope that I don't forget how to pay attention when we are back in the US.

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  3. Luckily I don’t have to run on crowded sidewalks often but when I run in NYC beating the commuters is motivation to get out early!

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    1. Yes! I try to avoid running during high traffic times too, but I still manage to find that one dog walker or oblivious group of pedestrians. Ugh!

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  4. You are spot on with all these points - hadn't thought about personal safety but you are so right. I have heard more and more stories of muggings and that makes me really think twice about where I run - some areas are so peaceful and quiet, free from traffic, but then I think, is it too isolated?

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    1. My thoughts exactly! I don't know how many times I've freaked myself out during a run because of feeling paranoid!

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  5. I've hurt myself more falling over uneven sidewalks than anything!

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    1. I had that problem when I ran on the trails - roots and rocks are dangerous!

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  6. Running is a fickle animal, isn't it? And, I agree...some of the clueless pedestrians (with and without their dogs in tow), are most annoying. One time, during the spring thaw, I came upon a group of three people chatting away near the corner....they had to have heard me, or at the very least seen my bright clothing. But, none of them moved aside to give me clearance. So, I veered off to the muddy grass and said,"it's alright...there's plenty of room for me on the grass, thanks."

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    1. OMGosh, I could have told that story ;) Even if you are not a runner, common sense says to not block the whole sidewalk/path, right??? Ugh, people!!

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  7. The most dangerous thing about running where I live is crossing the street. Gotta love urban living and inattentive drivers...

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    1. I'm not missing that part at all right now! Living in a car-free community is pretty nice although I do have to watch for golf carts ;)

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  8. I used to hate running hills and would always avoid them, but I have been trying to embrace them lately since I don't do any while I am on the treadmill. till can't say I love them, I have just been able to tolerate them more I guess.

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    1. I do not think I will ever learn to embrace the hill and tolerating is even a stretch, ha!

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  9. Yeah, we have a couple trails out here where you only go run if you have a buddy - no solo running. It's so sad! I live in a pretty rural town so dogs off leash is my biggest fear. And, there are a lot of invisible fences out here and many people don't put up the signs that accompany them. I refused to run past a house for 3 years until I finally learned they had an invisible fence. Those barking dogs in the front really had me freaked out! I would literally turn around and run the other direction. lol

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    1. I've been freaked out by dogs in yards too and at the time I was a brand new runner. I had no idea what to do! Luckily they stayed in their yard, maybe because I screamed so loud? haha!

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  10. So scary! I will say that most of the dogs where I live totally ignore me (there is some serious dog training going on!), but I still see one and worry about it getting the wrong vibe from me running near it.

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  11. I agree about personal safety. I run along a public street but sometimes it is dark and that scares me. I wear gear to make sure drivers see me. Sometimes I run with pepper spray but now I need to make sure to take it with me everytime I run.

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