Running, I don't get it.

[mass_burner]

First if all I find running myself completely boring. But what's up with all the marathons? Is it that entertaining for the spectators? The guy from Kenya always wins way before everyone else. Or is it simply a fixed arrangement between city and businesses for economic purposes?

 

[BrotherBart]

Some people like to run. Some people like to heat with wood. Go figure.

 

[Utilitrack]

I didn't really "get it" either, but my son took an interest when he was 6 , he has been running for 10 years, now a sophomore in high school. He is a very good distance runner, both in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track, meets especially XC are much more exciting than you would guess, half the fun is racing around the course to get to the best vantage points to see the race, and it is all over in less than 20 minutes. No loooonnnnngg drawn out innings etc.

My wife, son, 12 y.o. daughter and I do 5k's as a family now, lots of fun events now that include obstacles, color runs, mudders, urban raids etc, Something for everyone and the euphoric high when you finish followed by guilt free meal of choice! Son running in first half marathon this summer!

 

[fossil]

I can't , for the life of me, understand why anybody likes doing whatever it is you like doing, either.

 

[yooperdave]

BIL has an approach to running that you would appreciate.."Whenever I feel the urge to go running, I lay on the couch until it passes!" Must work well for him as he supports a huge puss gut! Great guy, just not too active.

 

[bassJAM]

I have a hard time motivating myself to run, I really hate it. But I'm jealous of people that do have that drive, it's a great way to stay in shape as long as you don't overdo it. Multiple marathons IMO is overdoing it, but more power to somebody who makes it a goal to finish at least one marathon in their life. I have multiple friends who've done half marathons.

My personal goal is to do a 5k one year lol.

 

[begreen]

5K total in one year is about my speed.

 

[ChipTam]

As I approach 70 years-old I find mall walking more my speed. I try to walk 1 hour a day (around 4 miles) 6 days a week. Sometimes it's only a 45 minute walk 4 days a week but, in any case, I think my running days are over. Nice group of folks (around 50 seniors) who meet at the local mall at 7:30 when the doors open.

ChipTam

 

[begreen]

Yeah, my knees won't let me run hard and long, but I like walking. No mall here so I just do around the neighborhood with either a short 1.25mile walk or a longer 4 mile walk. The longer walk includes a 300 ft drop in elevation and then back up again.

 

[1kzwoman]

The way I figure it running depends on how big whatever is chasing you is!
There is a "runner's high" from endorphins, also a sense of accomplishment I assume. I prefer a walk in the woods, but different stokes for different folks!

 

[1kzwoman]

people like to run. Some people like to heat with wood. Go figure.

Heating with wood is productive work at least 5 different times . Cut load split stack burn, can't' see running as a better way to stay in shape

 

[Ashful]

Okay, I'll bite. I always saw running as part of the extended mating ritual of the young and the restless. I liked dating women who stayed in shape, and would find myself running because those girls I was chasing were running. Once I'd settle into a relationship, the running would stop.

There are better ways to stay in shape... like heating with wood.

 

[BrotherBart]

I was a runner for many years. Really enjoyed it., Alas, my ankles didn't agree. The same way they don't agree with lifting heavy rounds now.

 

[PapaDave]

Same here. Ran for a long time, until my knees stopped cooperating.
5ks, 10ks, run for fun. Never a 1/2 or full though.

 

[BrotherBart]

Thirty years ago I went to the Doc with a sore ankle. He X-rayed it and said "soft tissue". I didn't say anything about running. Bit the bullet and kept running. About a year later I went in with the other ankle. He looked at me and said "When are you gonna knock off the running s#$&?"

The next year Jim Fixx died after his morning run and we moved here in the woods and I traded my running shoes for a new chainsaw.

 

[BobUrban]

Good conditioning. I run a bit to stay in shape because I coach kids and don't want to be the fat, out of shape coach asking kids to work hard. Ran a marathon once just to see what all the hype was about?? 3:30 and qualified for Boston - but didn't even go. Never got a runners high and not sure what that is. But I was in good shape that winter.

 

[PapaDave]

Never got a runners high and not sure what that is

 

[stoveguy2esw]

ran an average of 25-30 miles a week when I was in the army. why? cause they paid me to do so, when they quit paying me I quit running.

 

[FTG-05]

This thread reminds me of a story from back in the mid-80's when I used to run all the time.

Kent, WA, behind the now-defunct Boeing Kent Space Center, along the Duwamish River. Typical for the Seattle area, it was drizzling (as usual). Also typical, was the fisherman lining the shore of the river in their little fishing shacks.

Here we are the three of us running along, in the rain, and one of us looks over at the fisherman, in his little shack and he comments: "Look at that dumb***, fishing in the rain!"

A moment of silence for perhaps a 100 yards or so. Another one of us says: "What the heck does that make us? At least they're in a shack with a little wood stove going." We had to laugh at the irony.

Nowadays, it hurts to walk, due to my knees. If you like to run, run for all you're worth while you can when you can!

 

[Highbeam]

These days those fisherman stand shoulder to shoulder out in the water up to their waist casting and reeling to get that junk chum salmon. No shacks and no stoves. Yes, in the rain. Seriously, you'll see a line a hundred men long all casting in sync to avoid the inevitable rats nest of lines.

I don't run. Ever. Unless being chased. These days that usually means bees and since I am now allergic to bees it is a very important run. I even outran my oldest daughter as we were being attacked one day. You don't have to be faster than the bees, only faster than your buddy.

I'm a swimmer. I'll swim a mile before I'd run a mile.

 

[Swedishchef]

Well, I am guilty. I run. And I sometimes enjoy it (but I need scenery and music).

A few reasons: running is a type of exercise that can help in various sports. Football? They run. Soccer? They run. Baseball? They run. HOWEVER, I do find it boring unless I run on trails beside roads with things to see, changing scenery, etc. And if there's ladies out and about running, I find it motivates me. I don't run more than 3-4 miles at a time because I get bored. I am more of an interval trainer-type.

However, I only run 1-2 times a week. I do other things for exercise as well (gym, crossfit, etc).

Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp. Train hard and fight easy.

Andrew

 

[Bobbin]

I run to "get out of the way" or to catch the last available bus/train/plane. Running wouldn't appear on any list of recreational activities/athletic pursuits with my name on them. But, I love to swim laps. Go figure! Personally? I'd rather go for a nice brisk walk with the fool dog or behind the lawn mower.

 

[fossil]

ran an average of 25-30 miles a week when I was in the army. why? cause they paid me to do so, when they quit paying me I quit running.

The Navy paid me to drink a whole lot of coffee. I'm still pretty good at it.

 

[DevilsBrew]

I'm a walk in the woods type. I have many friends who run marathons. I don't get it.

 

[begreen]

Dog an boy on a run. I think the dog has the edge.

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