In this post I will discuss what people say to me regarding my running habit. It is also an excellent introspective into their level of intelligence. Unfortunately, since there is so many negative examples I must conclude that overall collective intellect of common folks in Croatia, and even faculty educated, doesn’t look good. Rare are the individuals who impress me. They are like diamonds. Rare but precious.
District attorney with obesity problem, bent back and cramped shoulders (Explanation: we worked in the same building. Usually I took the stairs but that day I was tired and had knee issues): “You runner could use stairs instead of elevator,…” while second part was left unspoken but obvious: “so that we can have elevator just for ourselves fat, deformed bureaucrats.”.
- If it was a joke then I would expect something funny or intelligent since the jokeman was district attorney that is person with academic background.
Justice police officer who works at the building entrance: “You runner collect all microbes during your run and carry it here with you. You will get us all infected.”.
- Justice police officers should run and be fit themselves. But here in Croatia justice police officers are ignorant due to the poor education system.
Once when I was running in the Maksimir park and forest I met two persons: father and son. They were standing at the nearby meadow. Son saw me running and asked father why does that man run. Father answered that I run because I have to run to earn my living which is something you will never have to do. What a stupid answer! People do not understand how important is to move. Moving improves our blood flow, moving develops our heart and lungs, moving activates muscles and joints which release good hormones raising our mood, regular moving helps us to discipline ourselves, moving improves our overall health, moving makes us sweat which helps us to get rid of toxins, etc.
- People are stupid. What more can I say? Running is such a healthy habit. Those who do not understand importance of running do not understand life in general.
I live in a suburb surrounded by many ethnic minorities who are mostly uneducated and religiously indoctrined. When they see me running they provoke me, direct inappropriate comments or clog their nose with fingers which is gesture meaning running equals sweating equals stink. What a bunch of primitives.
But also in the runners community there are primitive and stupid reactions and even from those who should be promotors not destructors. I came to the Lagvic running league together with 2 distinguished enthusiasts (A.B. and M.S.). Three of us are indeed desirable clientele for any serious running event. When race organiser Dragan Jankovic saw us he said: “What a sorry group I see, you could have taken better runners with you.”. Maybe it was a joke, I sincerely hope so, but then immediately afterwards you must make it clear. This way I (we) was (were) insulted.
(to be continued?)
Fitness & Training 