It's my party and I'll hike if I want to

As an August baby, this month I'm one year closer to a new age group!
(This should go in the "you know you're a runner if..." files. Only people who race look forward to the -0s and -5s birthdays.)

While other people might want to unwrap piles of presents, my favorite way to spend a birthday is to do something active. A few cases in point...

My 30th birthday was a bowling party.

Photo of women bowling circa 1950. No I am not old enough to be in this photo
Image source

Last year I was working on a 21-day yoga challenge.

This year Hubby and I went spelunking.

My parents, who refuse to get on the no-gift bandwagon, usually send me a new pair of running shoes, which makes us all happy.

I've gotten a few raised eyebrows over the years when people ask "What did you get for your birthday?" and my answer is "Nothing. We went out to _insert field trip here_ and it was awesome!" Not everyone understands, but it's my birthday and I'll hike if I want to.

First of all, there's plenty of evidence that exercise slows the aging process.

Second, as I get older, I can blame aches and pains on running rather than blaming them on "old age."

Third, every year older is one year closer to a new racing age group - which means I'll be the youngest all over again (at least for that year).

And last, but certainly not least, there's something to be said for staying young at heart and going out to play for your birthday.

What birthday traditions do you have?

Dog chases and birthday races

This morning was one of those runs... The kind that should be excellent (62 degrees! Sunny!) but just wasn't. I ran last night and generally don't do two runs in 12 hours, but my schedule for the rest of this week is a mess, I needed to get a run in, and it was just so gorgeous outside!

I slogged through my planned 3.7 miles. Why 3.7 miles? Because Jess, over at Run With Jess, is having a virtual race, "The Cupcake Classic," to celebrate her 37th birthday. In honor of this event, I did two 3.7 mile runs in the past 24 hours, including last night's run club birthday bash (a regular 5k to which I added a 0.6 mile warmup).

Cupcakes to celebrate the Cupcake Classic

So... two days, two runs, to celebrate two birthdays!

This should be cake, right?
(Sorry... bad pun.)

Unfortunately this morning's run was not nearly as much fun as a birthday party should be. It was more like: keep putting left foot in front of right. Switch. Repeat. Try not to think about running. Watch the pelicans.

And in the last mile, I started thinking "I'll be home in just a few more minutes!"
And then...
I was chased by a dog!

I only wish the dog-chasing had been in this direction!

I'd like to say this was a first-time occurrence for being chased by a canine, but northwest Florida has the most relaxed dog-leash culture of anywhere I've ever lived or traveled. This was, however, the first time I was chased by a dog at least as big as me. Not fun!

Fortunately, dog-on-the-loose did (sort of) listen when I stopped and shouted at him to "go home!" But, as with all dog-chasing cases, as soon as you start moving away they think "game on!" (Oh... if I could only find his owners and give them a piece of my mind!)

Don't get me wrong, I love our furry friends. And it is exactly because I love pets that this situation makes me angry. Dog owners: your pooch is not safe running in the street, chasing cars (and runners)! I have to wonder: Do you really want your dog getting hit by a car? Or pepper sprayed by a more anxious runner? Probably not. So, for the love of Pete, keep Fido at home!!!

Bad dog!

Ever been chased by a dog?
What did you do?

Photos courtesy of the State Library and Archives of Florida, and the State Library of New South Wales.

Tuesday 5k and run-club birthday bash

Don't try to drive through downtown Pensacola on a Tuesday evening.* Every week 300(ish) runners take to the streets for a free, weekly 5k "fun run" hosted by McGuire's Run Club. (Unsurprisingly, there are fewer runners when temperatures climb into the 100s, and there are more runners when there is free beer).

The tradition started seven years ago, right after Hurricane Ivan. McGuire's Irish Pub wanted to do something to give back to the community, which was still reeling from storm damage... and from that one idea, a tradition was born.

McGuire's staff say that about two dozen people attended the inaugural run, and they were thrilled when they reached 50 runners. Now the weekly event requires a police escort (note: thank you police officers!!!) and over the past seven years more than 11,000 runners have run the 3.1 miles route along Pensacola Bay. (Yes. Hubby and I count for 2 of those 11,000.)

To celebrate their 7th birthday, the restaurant (also a brewery) provided two kegs of their beer to thank the runners who attended. (Happy birthday to us!) And it's almost my one year anniversary with the run club, too! (Like I need an excuse to celebrate running?)

I think this is the first (and probably last) time I
color-coordinated with my beer.

Thanks McGuire's!

Does your hometown have any running traditions?

Do you celebrate running anniversaries?

*Note: The traffic really is not that bad -- a 3 or 4 minute delay, tops. But tonight there was some crazy guy blaring his horn at us and shouting out the window of his car. First time I've ever seen that happen! Maybe he was trying to be funny? Either way, I'd hate to see that guy in "real" traffic!

Birthday month

I'm a Leo, so August is my birthday month. My driver's license says I'm another day year older, but not quite in a new age bracket in racing.

This is one of those birthdays that you don't get to make a big deal about, and I'm OK with that. If you don't believe me, ask comedian Patton Oswalt:

Jokes.com
Patton Oswalt - The Big 9-0
comedians.comedycentral.com
Read Patton Oswalt's biography Watch Patton Live at the New York Comedy Festival Find more from this comedian in the Shop.

Do you go all-out in celebrating every birthday, or just the milestone ones?

Do you look forward to the 5-year birthdays because they bump you into a new racing age bracket? (And is it weird that I do look forward to those?)

"Minor" birthday status notwithstanding, I did get a sports massage and flowers. (Thanks hubby!) And I scored a new pair of Mizuno Wave Riders from my parents as a birthday present.

The shoes are becoming an annual tradition. When my parents ask what I want for my birthday, it's either "nothing - I have everything I need" (in part because that's what they always say -- drives my brother and I crazy!) or "new shoes" which they know means "new running shoes." (Maybe at Christmas I'll ask them to throw in a pair of Injinji toe socks, too.)

Do you ever ask for running gear for your birthday?

What's the best birthday gift you've ever gotten?

Speaking of which... Time to break in the shoes. See you all later!