Actually tainted is probably not the right word. It infers that it's been contaminated or poisoned in some way when it actually makes me see things through rose coloured glasses - or fogged-up glasses when the weather gets really humid.
What I'm actually trying to say is that I see the world in terms of running. For example if I see a road sign that says the exit is in 10k I immediately think - "I could do that in about 55 mins, maybe 50 if I was racing or being chased by a man wielding a machete"(because that sort of thing happens all the time when you're running down the highway in search of an exit).
When I'm driving routes that I run, I'll often tell my eye-rolling ('is she talking about running again?') passenger every minutiae of my last run on that route. Point out the hills (which strangely don't look at all hill-like when I'm driving). Show them bushes where I've had to make toilet stops (they're always so proud of their mother when I tell them stuff like that). And generally bore them to death with my one-tracked conversation.
On Saturday something happened which really showed just how obsessed with running I am. Iven and I were driving home from the markets and found ourselves behind a police station wagon. The back of the wagon was filled with lots of equipment and on top of the pile was a stack of witches cones. Instead of thinking "oh, he must be going out to set up an RBT (random breath test) somewhere" I thought "he must be going out to set up for a speed session".
There is absolutely no logic in that thought. Why would a uniformed policeman be driving somewhere in his police car to set up for a speed session? They wouldn't be but my brain associates cones with speed.
Or it could be that I'm just getting old and logic isn't part of my default thinking any more.
Does anyone else think like this?
Love your thought processes. And I get it. If I am driving somewhere I think everyone is going where I am and doing what I am. Not necessarily running related but very ego centric.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in the car with you guys, first Iven would have wondered why I was in the car with you guys...., but second, I would have probably had the same thought about the cones.
ReplyDeleteI do it all the time :)
I often find myself thinking the same! New to your blog, and enjoying it already!
ReplyDeleteYep! Add me to the club. We were in the car and our destination was 26 miles away. Of course I told the driver I could 'just run it in'.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! Yes, it's an illness, really. But I'm quite sure that policeman was indeed on his way to a speed session.
ReplyDeleteWhenever we are driving around the city, my daughter and I will say "I sense I've run here" knowing full well that it is a route we have done. It really annoys the non-runners in the family!
ReplyDeleteObviously, we, runners, swimmers and bikers, always see things and environs in a different and easier way. For instance, while we are walking along a pedestrian area and somebody says we have to walk 2 km we don't mind: we are aware that we can easily cover 2 km in about twenty minutes (walking).
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, "Normal people" (I mean people who don't run, swim or bike) see 2 km as a big distance.
I've just given support to your blog through a vote at the "Australian Writers’ Centre" :)
I did think about this the other day..I was driving and past a town and thought it was a marathon away from my mom's house.. lol
ReplyDeleteWitches cones...I love what you call those! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious Char! :)
Hahah. Yes, definitely. My daughter calls my running a "disease". Whatever!
ReplyDeleteYes! I can definitely relate! Whenever we have to drive to my sister, which is an hour long drive, I always find myself thinking: 'If I had to run for an hour I would like it much better!'
ReplyDeleteI know way to much about how far it is to get anywhere in my end of the city. Running has begun to turn me into a human GPS.
ReplyDeleteI am soooooooooo with you, Char! I am constantly looking at potential routes, other people's calves, and vacations sopts based on running potential. It's like a sickness :)
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! I might also be slightly one track minded but I totally relate everything to the running possibilities! Im driving places and thinking OH this would be a horrible run route or GAWD I wish I had my sneakers here, what an awesome run this would be!
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