(NOT) Your Average Joe

Haters

As most of  you that read my blog know, I am a bit of a runner myself. During early spring till about mid fall, I try and run every other day or so. I usually hit from 3 to 8 miles, sometimes longer if I get rebellious.

I wanted to talk about something that I bet a lot of runners out there can relate too.  I am talking about the jealous onlookers that throw you the evil looks.  You know that "you show off" look.  I have been getting it for years, especially if I go to a local track and run.  I am not joking when I say I have literally been threatened by people who wanted to fight.

I remember specifically this one time at the Irvin track where I used to run.  For some reason I had a few similar experiences at that track. Anyway, I was running about 4 miles on the track and every time I go run I have a goal.  Usually I try and run faster every time, up until mid summer when I sort of peak. 

Well on this one occasion there was this couple that were walking in lane one. Most people do not know that running on a track is like freeway driving, slower traffic to the right.  I mean it does not bother me that people don't know this, as it's not really taught to anyone not involved in this glorious sport. 

So I am running my laps and every time I get to this lady I yell excuse me and she would reluctantly move. Well after a mile or so, I started catching her faster and faster to the point where she would stop moving out of the way.  Well I was getting frustrated, but obviously short of pushing her off the track I would have to go around her plump body.

She obviously began to feel mocked by my Mach-3 speed and I could tell she was getting really irritated. (I tend to have that affect on people at times).  So after awhile she would start moving to the outside of lane one, knowing clearly that is where I was starting to run when I passed her.  I admit, I was probably running pretty close as I passed, but no touching her by any means.

So finally on my next lap she moved right in front of me as I was about to pass her.  You guessed it, it was like those captions on an old Batman show, Bamm!  I stopped and exchanged a few words with her and asked why she would do such a thing.  Her heroic husband who was nearby approached me and basically threatened to fight me.

Unbeknown-st to him, a very large buddy of mine was doing some stadiums with a weight vest.  My buddy Frank actually just happened to be there working out at the same time as myself. Well he is about 6'5 230lbs and a serious athlete, fireman and Marine.  I don't think I was really in any shape to fight after running, so Frank sort of smoothed things out when he approached.

Well the point of my story is it's sort of funny how people cannot understand that we are not out there running to show off. It is something we have worked hard to achieve and we simply have a goal in mind. I am not going to apologize to those who are irked by success and hard work. We runners are a different breed and sometimes we practice our religion in the public eye. Please be more understanding when we whiz by you.  It's not like we are trying to show you up, I mean we run like this even when no one is around.

I hope you all enjoyed my story. Hopefully if you are ever in this situation you have your own Frank Perry to protect you. Laters!

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com

loStreet Beggars

I guess I must not have gotten the new memo on fund-raising for youth team sports.  It seems to be that there is a new protocol these days for fund raising.  If I remember correctly, you used to have to provide some sort of service or "goods" in exchange for money

I was driving down Trans Mountain about an hour ago and I see about 30 teenagers out there soliciting money.  I mean don't get me wrong, I support youth athletics, but aren't they essentially begging?  What they are doing is no different than a homeless person on a street corner begging for money.  Don't think of me as some cold-hearted snob, but is there any difference really?

I remember you used to have to wash someone's car or peddle a raffle ticket.  I guess it is now presumed easier just to ask for the cash straight up.  The kids are usually holding up a sign that says "Help Support Desert Warriors Youth Basketball" or something similar. It may as well say, "we need cash, hook a brotha up!"

I mean I support you all, but I just don't see how handing over cash is teaching these kids anything.  Maybe the consensus is since they've been standing out in the sun all day, they deserve some cold hard cash.  I think that is also the exact attitude that street beggars subscribe to.

Maybe I sound like a big jerk, but come one, at least do something to earn the money.  I don't know, maybe juggle or break dance.  Hell, even sell me a two dollar Rice Krispie treat or tie me a balloon that slightly resembles "Grover" or a "Power Rangers" sword. I find it hard to justify a kid that age, basically just begging for money.  Isn't that a major problem with society these days?  People seem to think that they are entitled to things with no work put in?

I understand there are stricter rules these days with water conservation and so on.  I know that people are not to crazy about raffle tickets or buying 10 "Kit Kat's" a week, but isn't standing in the median asking for cash going a little too far. I know some of you may be thinking "well isn't that what the firemen do"?  Well the comparison could be made of course, but that money is going to fight a major childhood illness and is world renown charity, not for hotel rooms and uniforms.

I have seen this sort of soliciting pick up in the last two years. I cannot even believe this is allowed, I mean in spite of everything else, is this not a major safety issue?  I think it is pitiful and I for one will not be given money to anyone that just stands there and asks for it.  Let me know what you all think.

I'm Out!

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com

A Runner's World

Well it's a been about two weeks since my last post.  I've been really busy with some studies of my own and have not really had time to think.  As most of you know, I do a little bit of running of my own, you know 4-5 miles a few times a week.  Nothing too drastic, just trying to keep my girlish figure.

I decided a few weeks ago to run a road race. I ended up running this past Sunday in the Braden Aboud Memorial run on the west side of town.  It was a great atmosphere to say the least and the morning was very nice, just a little on the breezy side.  The turn out was pretty impressive and with the exception of no mile markers, I really enjoyed the run. I ended up placing 1st in my age group and most importantly ran under 20 minutes which was my goal. (19.49)

Then yesterday morning I woke up a lot earlier than usual and ran 10 miles on a whim.  I had not run that much since I was about 19 or 20.  I guess I just wanted to prove to myself I could still do it.  It was pretty crazy, but I did it with no problem. I think I could of even gone another 100 meters or so.

I've been running since about the age of 12 and still love the challenge.  I was driving later on after my run yesterday and I saw this normal looking guy dressed in "basketball" garb.  I thought to myself, wow anyone who actually gets up and runs on their own is pretty amazing.  I mean I have always had a ton of respect for anyone who runs, but I guess I never really took a second to acknowledge it.

The amazing thing about distance running is that it is the easiest thing in the world, yet the hardest.  What I mean is literally anyone can run, I mean its simple physiology right?  The thing is that it is the hardest thing in the world once that lactic acid starts pooling in the legs and your lungs start feeling like a stretched balloon.  Most people would never even imagine pushing themselves past that threshold

Running is almost like a miracle, it transforms bodies, It transforms lives if you really think about it.  I have a good friend that was 280 less than two years ago. I am talking about 5'7, 280.  Well he came to me one day since he knew I ran, and he asked me what to do.  I started him walking of course and to make a long story short, he runs pretty much everyday and is at about 187 now.  I am talking about strictly running and a minor changer in diet.

It's kind of weird for me though, but although I have been running since I was a kid, I never really loved the actual act of running. I mean I enjoyed the competitive part and I enjoyed that it gave me self esteem, but I never respected it for what it was until very recently.  I am 30 years old now and I see what it has done for me in the past and what it does for me now. I am still proud of the way I look physically. The results of running only makes me want to do it more.  I think I may just start going for more of the 10 milers on a more consistent basis. 

Who knows, I may even start training in the fall for the El Paso Marathon.  I just want to tell all you runners out there that you seriously inspire me.  Especially the ones that don't look like runners. You all know what I mean.  Remember we won't be able to run forever, so while we still can make sure you do it every chance you get. 

Till Later

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com