If I don’t wave while I’m running, don’t be offended.

By Travis Peck

     I’m not ashamed of my body. In fact I have mowed my lawn shirtless numerous times. (Early morning or late night with the perfect lighting and very few spectators.) My build is what some people might call stocky, others might say beefy and yet others Sasquatchian. Over the last ten years I have dabbled in the world of amateur running. Always paying, never paid.

     At first it was a couple 5Ks here and there and then something amazing happened in Dallas, TX, my first ever Warrior Dash. A short 3.2 mile adventure race that takes you over fire, into mud pits and often up and down hills of rock, gravel or grass. It was before they were making millions and I was in just good enough shape to complete the course without serious injury. A few buddies and I made a weekend of the event and had a blast. It wasn’t about times just finishing was accomplishment enough. I have done five Warrior Dashes over the last 8 years and as it turns out the more running you do beforehand the better.  

     My longest (voluntary) sanctioned race was the 10K Tulsa Run just a few years back. I committed to the training schedule and the weekend before the race I logged an eight mile run. It was great weather and my legs and mind were ready. Again, times are somewhat irrelevant. Let’s just put it this way, I wasn’t first and I was far from last. I did get that sense of accomplishment but never felt the “runner’s high” and honestly after the race I don’t think I ran for months. For all the non-runners out there you should be made aware that within the running community they have a division for people of my “size and stature” it is called the Clydesdales. According to race officials this gives “heavier runners a chance to win medals.” Gee thanks. (Insert best Mr. Ed sound here.)

     All of that just to tell you this; if you see me running and I don’t wave please do not be offended. I sometimes run at the lake, sometimes around the high school and on a rare occasion at the college nature trail. I often wear my headphones with loud music and if I am on a straightaway I sometimes even close my eyes. These are not excuses for not waving just some factors that contribute to my antisocial running behavior. Running for me is not fun, it is work. My goal is to complete the task as quickly as possible. Not trying to set world records just ready to be not running.

     So, if you honk your horn as you drive by or you wave and I don’t even look your way, it is nothing personal. Just know that I am trying to survive. Note the drenched shirt, the dripping sweat from the elbows and the labored breathing. These are just a few elements that reveal my fitness level and my less than pro status.

As of yesterday I began training for this year’s Tulsa Run (Oct. 25). 10 weeks of forcing myself out the door. 10 weeks of doing an extra few loads of laundry. 10 weeks of soreness. 10 weeks of eating better. 10 weeks of ignoring each and every one of you wonderful people. (At least for a few minutes a day.)