It is kind of a joke with friends and family that I can relate anything to running, politics, religion, nutrition and Seinfeld. That's right Seinfeld, I love that show! I will try to focus on running and politics today but may slip in a few things relating to my other favorite subjects. In reality I truly believe everything relates to politics and religion, if you don't see that it is a conscience choice to ignore that fact. For my own personal entertainment I can come up with a Seinfeld episode that relates to just about anything. They covered many issues in all those years, from circumcision to abortion to the "pigmen". All very serious subjects. so let's talk about running and politics.
Running and Politics; two of my favorites! I'm sure it might have started earlier but for me it began in 2007 when the Chicago marathon was canceled in mid-run due to heat. No I wasn't running, I had about 10 team members there though. People who trained months to achieve a goal of finishing their first marathon, conquering their PR, finishing in honor of someone with a disease or qualifying for Boston. All very lofty goals, all very doable no matter what the weather. Since then it has happened over and over, small and large events. From Lewis and Clark marathon canceled because of storms and flooding to the Olathe marathon for a snowstorm. Heat is the main reason most of these endurance events are canceled. Just recently in Kansas City The Warrior Dash was canceled due to so-called extreme heat. Two people died and over fifty went to the hospital for heat related issues. If you Google "running events canceled due to weather" you will see dozens of stories like this. As I continue know that I am saddened that people have suffered and wish no one to have to go through those types of things but we must accept responsibility for our actions.
What does this have to due with politics? Everything!!! We have become such a litigious society everyone has to cover their ass. Who would have thought you could sue someone because their coffee was too hot? Just because someone was a dumbass and spilt their coffee in their lap it is the coffee suppliers fault. This was the McDonalds case of course, they have also been sued for creating lard asses. Remember the Seinfeld episode when Kramer spilt his coffee in the theater and sued the coffee house? Yes it is McDonalds fault these people stuffed their faces and spilt coffee on themselves. There's the case of the drunken women who drowned because she couldn't unfasten her seatbelt, her parents sued Honda and won $65 million. Fortunately it was thrown out on appeal. How about the two losers who sued Oliver Stone(who happens to belong in the piece of shit hall of fame) and Warner Brothers because the movie Natural Born Killers caused them to go on a crime spree. There is the women who sued Universal Studios because the haunted house was too scary. All of this shit is true, sadly. I could continue but what's the point. You get the idea, no one is responsible for their own actions it is always someone else's fault. Even in running events! That's right! Rock N Roll San Diego has been sued after a man died hours later. Bullshit!! There are Warrior Dash lawsuits pending as well and many other running related lawsuits.
How is this political?! You ask again! Well all of my conservative friends already know the answer. Over the last 100 years or so the liberals have done everything they can to take away personal responsibility. They have created a welfare state, they have made it fashionable to kill unwanted babies, they have made it a crime to take responsibility for your own medical care. The poor can buy a house even though they can't afford it, then blame the lender as being predators when they can't pay. If you are homeless and out of work it is the evil rich who are responsible because they won't hire more people. While at the same time the same people are spewing hate speech at the rich and wanting to tax them out of business. All led by liberal lawyers trying to make a buck, decrying the evil rich yet making more money than the so-called rich. We are an entitlement society, over 50% of the American population is on some type of government assistance. The bottom line, there is no more personal responsibility.
Let's talk about running, finally! If you get heat stroke or heat exhaustion or frostbite or have a heart attack during a run it is your fault. You chose to run!! If I pay for my race registration I want to run the race! I use the term "race" loosely, I am in no hurry. If there are people unprepared that have to stop so be it. Why do I and all the other people prepared and well trained have to stop. As in politics we have to make sacrifices for the minority. Fuck that!! I am responsible for ME! Not the idiot who didn't train or chose not to drink enough or eat enough. I know that sounds harsh, it's not that I don't feel for them I do. I just don't think everyone else should suffer because they fucked up. Personally I am tired of paying the price because of peoples poor decisions. You should be tired of it too. Not just running but in life. You are taxed because people want government handouts and want to sit on their ass. The run you trained 6 months to a year for is canceled because its too hot out, boo fuckin hoo, I want to keep running and take care of myself.
I have been wanting to address this subject for a while, then I got an email from NorthFace Endurance Challenge saying they would cancel the upcoming KC event if temps went over 95 degrees. That set me off a little. Over 95 in August!! How unexpected!! I thought this was The NorthFace Endurance Challenge not the Senior Citizen Dance. This is NorthFace!!! The adventure company, what the fuck?!?! I was ok with the rest of the email, telling people to carry their own water etc.... To call yourself an Endurance Challenge and then say if it gets too hot we are taking out ball and going home. What a bunch of pussies!! It all boils down to the fact that they don't want to get sued by some asshole looking to hit the "legal lottery" because it was hot and they didn't train or drink enough. Did you know there are two Seinfeld episodes that highlight the New York marathon?
So the next time you are forced to stop running because of the weather and you are pissed about it, think about your decisions in the voting booth.
KEEP RUNNING NO MATTER WHO TRIES TO STOP YOU!!!
Choose to Succeed
Koach Karl
http://www.koachkarl.com/
http://www.k2ultrarunning.blogspot.com/
http://www.k2rawrudeandright.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 22, 2011
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