I’ve been a hasher.

^{Disclaimer: Hashing has nothing to do with smoking; it’s usually described as a non-competitive running social club. Definitely non-competitive (we punish racists) and these days, for many of us a walking rather than running club. For information you can look it up on wikipedia.}

Can I call hashing a hobby? A hobby is defined as “an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure”. Let’s see.

For me, it started in Saudi Arabia, in 1997. Once a week we would drive out into the desert, run a prelaid trail (similar to a paper chase), and had a lot of fun during and afterwards.

Every Saturday afternoon, no matter the heat, we religiously (sic!) met in town and then rode in convoy out into the desert (away from people). I’ve run and ambled in sand at close to 50°C dry heat near Al Khobar and I’ve run on stones at around 45°C near Jeddah.

After this initation (husband and sons), we went to the other extreme: we ran in snow near Frankfurt (Germany).

Because FHHH runs during the week and this was difficult for some hashers (like us, driving about 100km to get to the meeting place, a different one every week), Saturday Hash In The Summer was created.

Mostly the same people, same fun, less stress, although some thought it was standing the idea of hashing on its head.

Apart from our weekly normal runs we have special occasions, like Burns run (in kilts, with bagpipes and haggis if we’re lucky), Paddy’s run (in green, with Guiness and green jelly shots), Red Dress Runs (usually a charity event), World Peace Through Beer, and many more.

I’ve been with this ever changing group of halfminds for almost 30 years most weekends and there is no slacking off to see. So I guess, hobby is what it is but in many ways it’s more of a lifestyle.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Hobby