My Fave Pet Peeve

[mrrun]

I can put up with lots of things but hearing people complain always gets me. Whining at a check-in girl at the airport or that poor guy at the cinema will not help you. Complaining about a politician that you helped vote into the office won’t help you either. Complaining about weather though, I find mind blowingly infuriating. Why complaining about forces of nature? What can you achieve? Will the God Of Weather or his ministers really listen and do something about it? What if your hated weather is somebody’s favourite show? To whom will The God Of Weather and his ministers listen, if they listen at all?

I’m going back to my friend whose dislike of many weather conditions will often prevent her from running. Today she's about showers and wind, two days ago it was about sunshine. I suggested some options, like bodybuilding by lifting glasses of wine and plates with cakes while sitting on her sofa. She didn’t like it. She has lovely long hair and is annoyed by rain cos she then has to wash it. I offered practical solutions, such as running with a motorbike helmet on, or simply shaving her head. She didn’t like that either.

So, here are the three options that I will offer her in order to settle any discomfort. One, run in a gym. Ok, she might wait on that one. Two, run on a home treadmill. Like in the gym, it's a controlled environment, there is no wind or rain, temperature can be regulated, music can be chosen, no risk of being chased by a dog, hit by a car or struck by lightning. Three, run outside but never, ever, under any circumstances go and whinge about weather. Weather is neither good nor bad, there is just good or inadequate running clothes, weather just is what weather is. We CHOOSE what to think and how we feel about weather, but that doesn’t mean that weather would care about what we think, even if it could. Ok, I will never advocate running in very strong winds, piercing winter rain (although I like that one), or on skating ice (mind those ankles), but most of what we have here is actually perfect for running. It’s difficult to find better, milder and more inviting weather for running than the one here in the UK. Imagine the folks in the oppressive heat of southern Europe? They still run. Arctic runners up in Norway? They do it for fun. And here I argue with a friend who is concerned about some rain drops or warm sunshine that some call ‘heat wave’. Oh please…

Let’s embrace one of the rare free gifts that we have here, beautiful weather, and simply focus on enjoying running for fun and health. Life’s too short.

[Newbie59 Graduate]

We really shouldn't complain about the sun or it will go off in a huff and we'll never see it again

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

I certainly won't be! 😉☀️

[linda9389 Graduate]

You wouldn't be complaining about complainers would you Mr Run? 😜

I agree, life's too short to let the weather get in the way; but all the same, I am partial to a good moan about it every now and again 😂

[mrrun Graduate in reply to linda9389]

🤣😉 My dad used to say 'if you decide not to do it, don't do it, but if you decide to do it, do it but don't come back complaining about it'. That stuck with me.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Here, here mrrun. As I've said before the weather doesn't dictate my running the day of the week does. I love running and couldn't care less about the weather 😊👍

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

🤣 I'm fine now, I've managed to calm down after a 10k run. 🤪 A friend stayed out of my way, which really helped. 😀

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Complaining is good for the soul to a certain extent. It’s quite therapeutic to clear ones mind of negativity. People who moan for the sake of it though, I’m with you on that one 😊

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Dtay1978]

I complain against those who complain which, in the face of law, makes me a complainer too. One cannot win this one. Lol

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Back in my unhealthy days there were two kinds of weather. Days where it was perfect for sitting outside a pub with a pint, and days where it was perfect for sitting inside a pub with a pint... now I like to do different running in the heat to the cold.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Exactly!