It’s been a long week my friends! My Memorial Day weekend was non-stop and, somehow, I’m still going. You may have noticed that my posts are kind of all over the place this week so I apologize. When my husband asked me yesterday morning where my Wednesday post was, I knew I was in trouble, since he rarely pays attention to things like schedules.
Please accept my apologies on the randomness this week, and indulge my laziness for one more day here, as I link up with Brittany at My Own Balance and bring you a post from last year. It’s sort of revelant and may or may not have some old references in it, but I know you will overlook all of that and enjoy the trip down memory lane. For those of you laying eyes on this for the first time, please disregard that last sentence.
I’ll be back with a fresh new post tomorrow, until then – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
*Originally posted in April 2014*
Finally! Spring has hit like a ton of bricks, although it snowed here last night, but whatever. I’m going to just bask in the fact that I’ve been running and biking outside in nothing but shorts, sports bras and smiles. It’s funny that over the winter, you forget about a lot of the frustrating things that come with warm weather running. Dogs. Car divers/motorcyclists and other runners/cyclists. I figure I can air my grievances about all of them here, right?
DOGS:
I know two things about dogs: They love to run and they hate runners. Ok, well, they hate runners that aren’t their owners. I’m a runner and I’ve had dogs, so I know this. I’ve also been attacked, had a good friend bitten while she ran right next to me, and have had a ton of near misses with “man’s best friend,” the last two of which were between Saturday and Monday of this week!
I know it’s super important for your precious FeeFee to run free and, hey, if you live near a trail that is frequented by runners and cyclists, it’s really our responsibility to not get attacked by your dog. I mean, really. Who can blame the poor dog for wanting to bite our legs off? I, for one, look very intimidating with my towering 5 foot frame and menacing grin. I’m almost begging to be attacked by daring to run by your house.
Plus, the way my heart rate sky rockets when I see the teeth of your pet, and perhaps a little bit of pee sneaks out when it darts after me, I should actually thank you for contributing to my training. A jump from 90bpm to 185bpm in 2 seconds should absolutely be considered classic interval training and could be partially responsible for that recent PR I just got.
I’ll send your thank you card in the mail with biscuits for Fydo.
DRIVERS
A lot of drivers hate runners. I get it. You have to slow down for like seven seconds so that you don’t kill another human being who is out getting some fresh air. It’s so annoying isn’t it? I really wish we lived on a planet with a bizillion miles of paved paths so runners didn’t have to make you drivers pay so much damn attention when you’re behind the wheel! Trust me, I know how important that text message is and hey, when you need to check Facebook while you’re driving, I’m sure it’s because you’re missing a very important post about how much someone loves their husband/wife/child/dog to the moon and back. Don’t let something as trivial as my life stop you from liking that post!
And motorcyclists – it’s so great to have you back! When I’m out cycling and you rev your engine behind me or, better yet, get as close as you possibly can to my bike without actually having me get on the back of yours, is so necessary seeing as there’s almost no room for a motorcycle and my huge bike on the road. I get it, I do. I also hope you continue to saw off your exhaust pipe so I can hear you coming from 16 miles away. It’s very helpful. And, thank goodness there’s no helmet laws in CT. Well, let me clarify, there aren’t any for motorcyclists who can go 100 miles and hour. I’m bound by law to wear one on my bike though. I mean, I can sometimes get up to 40mph on that baby. Look out!
And finally…
OTHER RUNNERS AND CYCLISTS
If I wave to you, are you going to absolutely just die if you acknowledge me in any way whatsoever? I’m not looking for a cheering section or even a full wave. How about just a smile? Maybe a little nod of “Hey we’re out here doing the same thing and having a great time” sorta thing. No? Ok. I can see how it could be too overwhelming. Please don’t over-exert yourself on my account.
LASTLY
To everyone out there with an amazing dog (on a leash), who doesn’t try to kill my hearing or my person on a motorcycle, and all the awesome runners and cyclists who do wave or smile – I love you all and it’s great seeing you out there again!
[Tweet “#Runners, #Cyclists, #Drivers & #Dogs – let’s all get along this Summer!”]
What do you love most about the warmer weather?
Ever had a near miss with a dog? Are their helmet laws in your state?
If you run or bike, are you a “waver” or an “ignorer?”
OH THE DOG THING.
I swear people think of OAKLAND as very…urban 🙂 and yet the dogs were mainly well behaved and on lead.
My new ‘hood is growly crazy off lead MADNESS.
(rant. complete :-))
It’s the worst!! And I love when people say “oh she’s friendly” as she’s charging toward me! Yes, she’s friendly to YOU but not necessarily the running stranger. Oy!!
I’m a waver. I notice that trail runners tend to me more wavers than road runners. Or is it just me.
Have an awesome Thursday Allie
I think you may be right about that one. It may have something to do with road runners being too serious!?
Thanks Jill!! So far, Thursday is GREAT 🙂
I remember this one!! So funny because it has new meaning to me now that I am a runner too!! I give all dogs the side eye when I’m in the park or running on the very popular doggie path on the west side highway. I trust none of em!! I try to smile at other runners but sometimes I fear it might come across as a wince in the middle of a run. Lol!
HAHAHAHA!!! Seriously – the wince/smile – I totally get it and I love that this post has new meaning to you 🙂
Totally remember this one as well and like you I am all off schedule this week, too from the holiday weekend. So most certainly get it and have decided to just do what I can now and not worry about the rest for myself to be honest. It just is what it is and can’t beat ourselves up too much 😉
Exactly!! It’s only going to get worse for me as the summer progresses. I intend to take FULL advantage of this long awaited SUN!
Yay! So happy you joined the link-up! I remember this post and it is such a hilarious one! The dogs kill me!
Thanks Brittany. You are a genius for doing the tbt in the first place. Love it!
Haha…..this post is new to me, and I love it. I hate when people have dogs who know are ones that will run up to you and interrupt your run but do nothing to hold them back. And I’ve had a couple of very close calls with cars as well! I’m a waver/nodder….one of my favorite parts of being a runner is acknowledging and being acknowledged by other runners!
It’s one of my favorite parts too!!
And yes, the off leash dogs who their owners yell “they’re friendly” as they’re charging at you!! I always think, well what if I’m afraid of dogs?? It’s crazy inconsiderate.
I remember your scary dog story–that kind of nonsense really does need to stop! And yes, we all need to learn to appreciate sharing the space we have available.
Finally, I am so run down by the May schedule. I have no idea if I can even pull off a post for tomorrow. I’m too tired to care, which is the really sad thing!
It’s not sad at all, it’s so normal and human. Sometimes the blog has to be the thing to give…although I would miss a Friday post from you. No pressure or anything… 🙂
I’m a waver! Well – I at least look for the wave but if there’s no eye contact, I don’t go out of my way. I’m all about laziness this week too– enjoy it!
Of course you are!!! And, I realize that I live in the middle of nowhere so rarely see other runners. The NYC runners are probably like “seriously?” 🙂
we just moved into the city and right across from 2 giant mega dog parks… holy doggy heaven! our dogs our so happy, for some reason they behave worse on a leash but when i take them off the leash at the dog park, they stay right by me and are practically well-behaved dogs. i love them but boy do they love to let me know who’s boss. sadly our dog parks our under water still since Houston just had the flood of the century and it happened mainly where we live. it’s quite surreal to see our running/biking/dog paths all under water. but luckily all humans and dogs are a-ok. well, just a little whiny about their dog park being out of order…
i’m with you on the lazy train, i have studying to do for an exam tomorrow and i have done everything else but that. ok time for the books. have an awesome day!
OMG I’m so sorry you are in the midst of all that devastation and flooding. I sincerely hope you get your doggy parks and everything else back to normal as quickly as possible!!
I’m a waver/good morning-er/way too friendly former Midwesterner when I run. I love to run with my dog, but I firmly believe that dogs should be leashed when they’re running. I actually think it’s the law to keep your dog on a leash on public trails? At least in the places I’ve lived, dogs should only be off-leash in designated dog parks or your own backyard.
I’m pretty sure it’s a law here too but…
I’m looking forward to having a dog to run with again someday!!
This has to be one of my favorite posts! Thanks for bringing it back. Very timely considering I went on a bike ride in my new neighborhood and had a couple of rearview mirrors come precariously close to me.
Yikes!! So glad you like it Kris. Be careful out there my friend!
Not a fan of the steamy Charleston weather…but moving to the southwest soon!
I’m a dog lover, but not unleashed ones. Bad pet owners!!
My two biggest pet peeves when I run: People who don’t acknowedge/nod/wave/say hi and people who honk. Not sure if they think it’s funny, that they are being safe, or that they like my butt 🙂 Whichever, it’s annoying!
So true about the honking!!! It can also scare the heck out of me when it’s a car coming up from behind. Crazy!