Aren't you just doing what you're supposed to be doing?

When I was a kid, my parents weren't much for rewards or hoopla.
You got an A on the test?  "Nice job."

You graduated high school?  "That's exactly what you were supposed to do.  I worked and I supported you, you went to school.  Why would I buy you a present?"

I don't think I was pressured a ton to be perfect, growing up, but the general expectations to work hard, get a good job, and don't expect the world to hand you things were there.  And I am grateful to my parents for that.
I like to think it's given me a realistic, if somewhat cynical view when it comes to the things I spend my time on (running, work, etc.).

I run because I like it (possibly even love it?), and I have the free time and disposable income to do it.  It's healthy and I'm ok at it.  But just like graduating high school, I don't deserve any presents for logging miles.

Running is not a job (unless you're an elite, in which case, hey, give me training advice!).  It's ain't charity work (unless you're like Ali and it is) and  in the grand scheme of difficulties in life, it's not all that hard.  It doesn't make me better than anyone, more determined or more successful.

It's mah hobby.  Kinda like pottery is for someone else.  That might be kind of offensive to a hardcore runner, but I guarantee you there's some old dude that feels just as passionate about makin' his pots as you do about your long run.



Which is why I'd like to present a dictionary of terms.
Why yes, you may call me Mr. Webster! 

He never thought he'd be on a HL blog

Inspiring People (adj., n. adv.):  Extraordinary people who inspire.
Good Examples:  Ghandi, Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa.
Bad Examples:  You, running 25 miles last week.
Possible Exceptions:  Life changing running that involves losing 100+ pounds.

Busy Day (n.):  A day with a lot of responsibilities to attend to.
Good Examples:  Soldier's day while doing tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Bad Examples:  Trip to Lululemon, spin class, and blogging.


Hills (n.):  An incline you go up or down.  (It's harder to go up.  Very easy to go down.)
Good Examples: Badwater ultramarathon.  Pikes Peak ascent.
Bad Examples:  20 foot incline at mile 8.


Healthy Diet (n.):  A healthy, nutritional way of living.
Good Example:  Whole grains, protein, vegetables, occasional treats.
Bad Example:  Cookies and kale.



Long Run (n.) :  Training run for a marathon.
Good Example:  Running 20 miles.
Bad Example:  Running 20 miles as fast as possible.
Bonus Bad Example:  Predicting marathon time off raced 20 miler.


Elite Athlete (n.):  A top athlete.
Good Examples: Kara Goucher or Shalene Flanagan. 
Bad Examples:  Me, running a 3:35 at Boston. 


Free Time (n.):  Time spent doing activities of your own choice.
Good Examples: Exercising and writing thoughts on the internet.


Chip Time (n.):  Time accurately recorded by an electronic device in a reputable race (see "USATF Sanctioned Course" below).
Good Examples:  "Chip Time xx:xx, Gun Time xx:xx"
Bad Examples:  "I'm pretty sure I crossed the line about 10 seconds sooner than my chip time."


USATF Sanctioned Course (n.):  A course that has been accurately measured to determine that the advertised distance is correct.
Good Example:  "I ran a half marathon.  That's 13.1 miles."
Bad Example:  "My $150 GPS device said the course was .3 miles long.  So my Garmin pace was..."
*Edit from original post :
Here is a very technical article on calibrated courses.     USATF adds 1 meter per km in the measurement.  So yes, you're right,  if you ran a 10k, you possibly ran 10 extra meters.   Or .0062 of a mile extra.


Zebra (n.):  Animal for whom stripes are always in style.  I just figured I should finish my dictionary terms with something that started with a "Z".

Straight talk to the Bachelorette (100% not running related) =)

Dear Ashley H.,

Even though sometimes you are annoyingly perky, I hate seeing you all sad.  

We really need to have some girl time together, you and I.  I need to give you some straight talk and get to the root of why you like all the dudes who are mean, sleezy, and talk really slow.  

Brad Womack?  This Bentley dude? 
Your friend told you he sucks via text message!  Listen to your girlfriends...girlfriend....

And then when you were saying that your relationship with Bentley was left unresolved after he left?
Omg no girl.   He left you.

I think the J.P. dude really has something going for him.  He wore jammies with you!  I'm thinkin' he makes it to the end.  He'll make you happy.  Just give him a chance.

And don't worry about not being like Emily.  I'm intimidated by her too.  If only she were a b**ch it would be ok to hate her, but she seems so darned nice.

I know I'm just watching you on a tv show but IT FEELS SO REAL!!!


Can't wait for next Monday.
xoxo,
Faster Bunny

PS:  I'll write about stuff that's not the bachelorette soon.  Cross my heart promise.