I am about to make a sweeping generalization, so please spare me your comments such as, “I’m not like that!” or “We have never done that.” I realize there always exceptions to any rule. The rule I speak of today goes like this………cyclists are self-absorbed, elitist snobs. I am not the only one that thinks so. Perform a Google search with “snobs” and “cyclist” and you will quickly understand that this is a widespread concept. They have a chip on their shoulder as they race by with their pointy heads and fancy cycling uniforms, all the while thinking they are better than everyone. Let’s get one thing straight cyclists, you are not Lance Armstrong and you will never be in the Tour de France.
Runners, on the other hand, are exactly the opposite. We are courteous and friendly to others around us unless provoked. We have no need of two wheeled toys to haul around enormous ego’s or padded shorts to protect our brains. I speculate they are probably jealous of us because most do not have the courage or sheer force of will to accomplish what we do on a daily basis. If you are not tough enough to run, be a cyclist. You will have a much easier workout and the luxury of coasting through a portion of it. The last time I checked runners can’t pick up their feet and take a break while speeding downhill. So let’s face it, the runners motto is true, “our sport is your sports punishment,” which is why I can’t understand the elitist mentality of people on two wheels. 
They ride in packs on the road that they believe they own and have a blatant disdain for traffic laws. If you don’t believe me, read this New York Post study.
I know, I know. ”I’m not like that!” many of you cyclists are shouting right now. If you are not, good for you, but the law of averages dictates that many of your fellow riders are.
Many running races are not on a closed course but cyclists act as if we have personally attacked them with just our presence. While competing in a marathon last October, countless cyclists made it a point to ride at great speeds, as close to the runners as possible. I understand why they rode by so quickly, because if we caught them, the next ride they would be taking would be in an ambulance. One woman actually had the nerve to yell at me for not moving out of her way as she approached from behind. Let’s just say she had a clear understanding of what I thought of her as she passed. I’m a good guy, I do charity work, go to church and help people from all walks of life, but if you’re a jerk, I will call you a jerk.
Finally, last weekend I was running a half marathon where four cyclists crashed the course at the mile nine turn around and expected all the runners to stop just for them. Words were exchanged once again. So please cyclists, for your own safety, I implore you to be more respectful of runners because my patience has reached it’s end. Had the leader of the four from last week been a man the outcome of that confrontation would have been much different. Maybe loosen your helmets just a little to allow some oxygen to your brains.
Have you ever noticed that many times during training runs you seem to struggle much more than if you were competing in a race? It’s a Monday afternoon and I begin moving forward for the first few steps of my usual route. It’s not too long before I start to feel winded and weak. The aches in my legs are screaming for me to turn back and call it a day. Instead, I take control of my mind and force my body through the workout. These are the days we wonder why we do this to ourselves. After a few miles the pain begins to subside and my breathing seems to flow more naturally. Conversely, when I went to the starting line of the Eggshell Half Marathon last weekend, I felt nothing. Not a pain or discomfort and life was pretty good for most of the race. The last three miles are a different story but this example shows that we have abilities within ourselves that, on occasion, we are simply too lazy to utilize. Sure, an injury is a legitimate pain that can’t be tuned out but in the course of our weekly training regimen it is easy to get weak minded and run just to “get it over with”. Battling this mindset is what makes us who we are at our core: determined, strong and passionate. The struggles in our daily workouts can serve as character builders, but can also lead us down a road of repetitious drudgery filled with psychological pitfalls. Today I would like to share some of my tips for overcoming the strife we face out there on the running path.
visited in some time. Even if you must drive a few more miles to get to your destination, do this once a week and it will be well worth it.
4.) Run where there are other people. I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to stop in front of a dog walker, cyclist or fellow runner. Even when at my weakest, the minute I encounter another human being, I envoke my personal rule, “You can slow down, but you can’t stop”.
