Real runners don’t run on treadmills, unless injury affords them no other choice. The idea of a treadmill is anathema to a real runner. The runner has a romance above all with the long and winding road.
There is a love affair too with bush tracks. The trouble with a treadmill is – you don’t go anywhere. It is a synthetic run.
For the older runner, the training run presents a unique challenge. The first 2 kilometres are hard – getting the body warm and into rhythm once again. You battle through a thousand incremental aches. Then it all becomes worth it. The endorphins kick in – the aches and pains subside.
The half way point is psychologically crucial. You turn for home. Strangely, the greatest part is finishing. There is always a sense of elation.
Why run? To lose weight? To get fit? To build bone density? To have a healthy heart? Well maybe.
All and none of the above.
Perhaps it is best summed up by the phrase – “the runners high”.
“Running, one might say, is basically an absurd pastime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the type of running you need to do ... chances are you'll be able to find meaning in that other absurd pastime - LIFE."
- Bill Bowerman in "Without Limits" -
"For me, running is a lifestyle and an art. I’m far more interested in the magic of it than the mechanics."
- Lorraine Moller, Olympic Marathoner-
There is a love affair too with bush tracks. The trouble with a treadmill is – you don’t go anywhere. It is a synthetic run.
For the older runner, the training run presents a unique challenge. The first 2 kilometres are hard – getting the body warm and into rhythm once again. You battle through a thousand incremental aches. Then it all becomes worth it. The endorphins kick in – the aches and pains subside.
The half way point is psychologically crucial. You turn for home. Strangely, the greatest part is finishing. There is always a sense of elation.
Why run? To lose weight? To get fit? To build bone density? To have a healthy heart? Well maybe.
All and none of the above.
Perhaps it is best summed up by the phrase – “the runners high”.
“Running, one might say, is basically an absurd pastime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the type of running you need to do ... chances are you'll be able to find meaning in that other absurd pastime - LIFE."
- Bill Bowerman in "Without Limits" -
"For me, running is a lifestyle and an art. I’m far more interested in the magic of it than the mechanics."
- Lorraine Moller, Olympic Marathoner-
This is my 100th entry. I dedicate it to all my running and race walking pals.
6 comments:
Well that folks brings up the 100th post. It's been fun. I know some of you are following my ravings. Feel free to leave a comment
I have made it easy to comment. The word verification thing is just to stop spam attacks.
yes it is easier!
Great quotes and thanks for the link!
Damn, wish I had a hundred entries for my blog! Very funny blog, Frank.
yeah congrats on 100
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