What we talk about when we talk about running

(This was first posted July 29, 2008.)

For some time, I've had this idea of a blog in my head with the above title. I knew there were two ways to go on this -- what we actually talk about when we're running, and the more Raymondcarver-esque what we really mean when we talk about running.

The idea was, on the latter, I would have to figure out what we really mean as runners when we get so into running that we have to accomplish our goal of running a marathon under X hours, how we cannot suffer the humiliation of a DNF (did not finish) and how, what matters to us most, is finishing a race, even at the risk of causing permanent injuries.

But that might send things into too much of a Freud direction.

So instead, I chose the former, so I could just tell about some of the odd conversations I've been in while running with others. This usually involves risque, or sometimes just bad, jokes, or politics or weather or last night's baseball game. But just as often it can involve esoteric items like TV sitcom theme songs from the 1980s or changes in the Zodiac in the past 2,000 years.

I asked a few of my running buddies for help on this blog, because frankly my mind goes blank when I try to remember what we've talked about.

Luis Z. pointed out that we frequently talk about our aches and pains. But it's not just the pain -- the group becomes a kind of mobile M.D., offering homegrown remedies for everything from plantar fascitis to post nasal drip.

For the record, Luis added, "I don't believe we discuss or talk about sex." Of course.

Monica says the group run's conversation has a certain rhythm: "...Basically we start with current events, move on to maybe our kids, our spouses and/or relationships, maybe throw in something about our work ... maybe a little gossip about someone we know or don't know, somewhere in there something about sex comes up [my note: evidently except when Luis is present] ... and usually by or near the end of the run the topic moves on to food."

Food ... everyone who gave me feedback said the conversation turns to food. I guess because all that running makes us hungry.

Delilah said this: "... talk about how we're insanely obessed with running that while we're running all we talk about is running or anything that has to do with running like garmin glitches, pace, mileage, diet and of course running skirts!!"

She's right. If you want to get any advice on running, run with a group and you'll find a dozen theories on how to train, what to eat, and what apparel to wear.

Angie said something similar, but added that we also seem to end up talking about our next race.

And finally, Carilyn just didn't seem to like this topic, I think because she considers it to be against the Vegas rule of running: Have you never heard the phrase, "What is said on the run, stays on the run?"

So, that will have to be the end of this. Otherwise no one will talk to me out on the run.