Molly's Running Cult Status

So, in the spirit of updating more, I thought I'd share an update of my running club experience so far this summer.  It's swiftly coming to an end-we have just another week until our big goal run on July 4th.  So, I've been a sort of runner for 1 month and some days.  And, I guess I can say I don't hate it now.  But that's probably the kindest thing I say so far.  I still don't "get it."  I will admit that a few endorphins have found me-but they don't find me until like 45 min post-run.  I get really kind of hyper and in a good mood for like 90 minutes or so-then I crash-it's kind of like a sugar high.  Which, I guess is some sort of motivation, I guess. But, the running itself is still not very fun.  And, this idea of, "oh no, it's so great-you go out and just clear your head, it's so perfect" is still crap in my not so humble opinion.  I don't clear my head-I still can't stop thinking-"this suck this sucks this sucks how much longer this sucks."  No, wait, I also think, "Who is this psycho lady who keeps running by us barking to keep it up and take big clear breaths?  She seriously needs to get the f' away from me before I accidentally trip her."  Maybe that's part of their plan-annoy us so much we're thinking about how annoying they truly are and not about the running?  Perhaps that's a bit harsh-and there are only 2 people there that irritate me completely-one is an actual coach, the other is a self-assigned coach (I think-she wasn't there the first couple of weeks-then showed up and has steadily gotten more annoying).  Everyone else is actually pretty cool.  I still see no reason to be chatty or attach to anyone-but I'm certainly not as walled off as I was those first couple of weeks. 

Things I've learned so far:

1) The Dallas Running Club is a cult.  First, they want us to wear the same clothes-down to the DRC dry wicking shirts (it was practically mandated that we have to wear dry weave or wicking shirts...they said it was because cotton holds in heat, but I think it's because they didn't want us wearing our interesting and original tshirts since they show our individuality-there is to be none of that!)  They even told us they had some for sale-really cheap.  When someone tried to point out that you get them cheap at Target now, he was cut off and said, no, we have them here.  They want to suck us in to wearing their gear. I won't do it!   Secondly, how they are a cult-they want us to have group think: At first they're like, this is an individual sport y'all, do what's comfortable for you-it's all about you! Which, of course, sucks one in-b/c well, if it's all about me-then that's awesome! But, then about halfway through they say-You have to come to the group runs b/c we are a team people and we all need to be together.  I really am waiting for someone to start chanting, "ONE OF US. ONE OF US."  Maybe that's what they do at the 5K next weekend?  We get a finisher's gift-my guess is it's kool-aid of some sort. 

2) Running in Texas in June is really really really dumb.  There are only 2 times of day that it's possible-butt crack of dawn and very late at night.   Or, as I've taken to-an indoor treadmill.  I'd much rather watch the frat boys and skanky girls strut around our apartment pool drinking cheap beer while random children run around than go outside and feel the heat weighing down on me. 

3) Run/Walkers and Walkers are still totally disprespected by runners.  They might say things like, no no, whatever is best for you.  And, that's great if you need to walk.  But it's in such a patronizing tone I really want to just scream.  Por ejemplo:  A couple of weeks ago we were running as a group at White Rock lake-it was 90+ degrees and humid.  My inhaler ran out-so I was just generally having a crappy run.  I ran as long as I could-with walking intervals in between - but then I just sort of hit a wall during our last 5 minutes-so I chose to just walk the rest.  Lady (the want to be coach mentioned above) is barking at the people behind me that they need to get going (I'm like really, that's your advice on a 90+ day w/ beginner runners?  Really?  Good idea, ass-you get to carry them home.)  Then, I hear, as she runs up closer to me-in a patronizing bark, "THAT'S OKAY IF YOU NEED TO WALK...IT'S GOOD TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UP A GOOD PACE THOUGH!"  She runs on-then says things like , "DON'T BE FRUSTRATED-JUST KEEP DOING IT!"  I looked around-and I'm like, um, who's frustrated?  Don't assume that because we need to slow down in this heat that we feel really anything, about it.  And, really don't tell me I did a good job at doing what I felt like was right?  Who the deuce are you anyway?  She's super annoying.  I finally told her this last week-and that what she was barking at us was in no way helpful. But sadly I don't think she heard me-but the ladies around me did-and they all giggled in understanding.  Or, maybe it was because they thought I was mean and didn't want me to aim it that them?  I'll never know.  Nor do I care.  Wow, I am mean.

So, I've only got a week Running Cult, I mean Club.  Overall I'm happy I did it.  And, I plan to keep running on my own b/c it's a  good habit to have.  But, I think another "Club" is not in my future.

Comments

[Libby Jones]

Molly, so sorry to hear about your experience. I haven't run with DRC any this year (except the first two races of the year) so don't know what the experience is like, but it doesn't sound fun from your description. I don't run because of any "runner high" - I run to stay moderately healthy, keep an okay weight, and give me some excuses to eat an extra piece of chocolate cake. :-) And I was a long distance walker first (one of those charity walkers not always respected by hard-core runners), then I was a run-walker for a few years, and now I'm working on taking fewer walk breaks, so I can get a little faster (I'm typically a 12-12:30 pace for a half marathon). I don't understand the "I can't function without my daily run!" hard-core runners and get frustrated with some runners that have no clue how many people run slower than 8 minutes per mile (like me)!

Good luck to you on whatever running adventure you do next. Check out www.heelsandhills.com - a lot of slower runners and a lot of walkers come to our events, and it's mostly, like 90%, women - and the whole point is no one feels uncomfortable. It's not a club, cult, or clique. Just events where people do them when they can or feel like it. Heels and Hills is headed up by me and other woman, both of us are slow runners and the "not-so-skinny" type. :-) My blog is at http://theactivejoe.blogspot.com if you want to give it a look.

Hope the July 4th race goes well for you!

[Lola Lopez]

Thanks Libby!
Actually, this was supposed to be more funny than complainy-but I probably wrote it when I was feeling too crabby. After re-reading, it does come off a little harsher than I intended :)
From my husband's experience-he loves the DRC's running groups he's joined-I just think they don't really know how to do a true beginners running group just yet. The expectation right up front is that we would run straight through our "max effort section," right away, which for several of us was unreasonable to expect. But, I have found my coaches in the back to be more in the know about run/walking and have helped me be able to run more. It's just the 2 I complained about above who just don't seem to understand the true beginner. I joked with my husband that it doesn't help that my job is training leadership and coaching-so I think I take it more personally when it's done poorly. :)

Anywho-I'm optimistic for next weekend! I had my best run on Saturday when we did 3 miles (not just timed runs)-so I'm feeling happier about it all :)

[Libby Jones]

I have no clue who those couple of problematic pace leaders were or whose coaching for the fall season, but for beginners, I would definitely suggest you make friends with Sherry or Jean. Both are so nice and really encouraging. Don't worry - we're all allowed to get a little crabby sometimes :-)

[Lola Lopez]

Sherry and Jean were totally my heroes during the entire thing :)