I hashed yesterday! Hash House Harriers markets themselves as a “drinking club with a running problem." I first heard about hashing last summer from my sister and I looked into doing it in NYC. Then this summer one of you fine fitblrs posted about hashing and how it’s worldwide and has chapters EVERYWHERE. I found my local hashers on facebook and now like 2 months later I finally was able to make a hash.
I had NO idea what to expect. I had already ran 5 miles and did shred yesterday morning, but the hash was at 5pm. We met at some law firm parking lot and spent an hour chatting and drinking. The "hare” aka the race organizer of the day chooses the location and brings the beer (hashers pay $5). The hare worked at the law firm so it wasn’t sketchy. Our hash group was about 10 people – there was another “virgin” there so I was glad to not be the only newbie.
The hare marked the start of the race with chalk, flour and toilet paper. There are a variety of markings that mean different things. Once the hare had been out for 20 minutes we took off. We had to follow the chalk/flour/tp symbols which took us all over. Including through woods with breyers which caused all our of legs to get cut up. I learned you should dress is junk clothes for hashes, especially your shoes. The hare didn’t take us through streams or other water because he noticed I had nice sneakers on.
I was under the impression it was a casual run, but people were hauling ass. There are different calls and things to keep the group together. I was tired from my morning workout, plus I had never run AFTER drinking 2 beers. I didn’t turn on my gps, but we ran for ~40-45 minutes. I’d say we covered a little over 3 miles.
You end up back where you started and there was then a lot of chants and songs and traditions and drinking. There were also 3 naming ceremonies – for people who have hashed 5 times which was a lot of fun, we get to ask them questions about themselves until we have enough to come up with a name. The 3 names from yesterday were: “Stealthy Tiger, Hidden Cowgirl”, “Plain Jane Missionary Uncut” and “Vagina Tech” The hash wrapped up at 9pm. It was fun, not what I was expecting per say, but I also didn’t really know what to expect. I will be more prepared in the future in terms of clothes, shoes, big spray, water, etc.
