Runners who don’t say hello

Posted on May 25, 2006 by threlkeld

Okay, this is a pet peeve of mine.

I run along similar streets and paths nearly every day. I see lots of the same people several times per week — people I’ve been seeing for years. 95% of them acknowledge my friendly wave, head nod or spoken “hi”.

But there’s a small minority who don’t engage in any way whatsoever. After a few tries, I finally gave up, and when I pass them, I return their stony, robotic silence, since saying hello seems pointless.

I have admiration for anyone who laces up a pair of shoes and goes out walking or running and, as such, I’ve always felt there’s a natural camaraderie amongst us all. Besides, it’s generally accepted that you acknowledge people you see constantly, no matter how tangential or insignificant the relationship.

One pattern I’ve noticed (or maybe it’s just a coincidence) is that a lot of the “don’t say hello” people look like serious runners. They have special wraparound sunglasses on, 4% body fat, impressive running gear. So maybe their attitude is that they’re so busy concentrating on their run, they can’t be bothered saying hello. I can sort of understand that. When you’re doing something like intervals, where you need to focus on speed and distance, you can’t worry about socializing. But I always see these people when they’re just running along, doing what looks like an easy or tempo run — something that doesn’t require a tremendous amount of concentration.

So, I’ve concluded that the people who don’t say hello are one of these:

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Happy birthday, cocktails

Posted on May 25, 2006 by threlkeld

You’d better head down to the local Hallmark store, because there’s a birthday you missed. Yes, the cocktail turned 200 earlier this month. The cocktail has a rich history and a complex etymology. But, once you’ve knocked back a few, who cares about all of that?

I am a martini fan, although my long runs on the weekend have certainly curbed my consumption. On the other hand, I’ve discovered that the best cure for a mild hangover is a good, long run. I think I’ll raise a celebratory glass this weekend for the humble cocktail. On Saturday night, after the Bronxville race.

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Post-run snack recommendatons

Posted on May 25, 2006 by threlkeld

From what I’ve read, after a race or hard run workout, you should eat food that will help you recover faster. This means carbohydrates and some protein. The carbs help restore your muscles’ glycogen stores, and the protein helps rebuild damaged muscle. Ideally, you should take this in within a half hour or so of the conclusion of your activity.

My favorite post-race or post-run snack is a glass of milk and a snack bar from Trader Joe’s. You can buy a six-pack of these bars for $1.69 or $1.99 — a bargain compared to something like Clif Bar or PowerBars. I like the “Sweet, Savory and Tart” bars, but the “Vanilla Almond Crunch” bars are also quite good. Also check out the Apple, Blueberry and Fig bars — they’re like extended Fig Newtons.

Get more information about recovery foods.

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