Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
I was really into running before running was popular.
I hope the current running boom dies off soon. The parks are way to crowded these days.
The one-time I ran the Brooklyn half, in 2006, 4,000 people finished. This year there were 22,000.
Consequently I can't stand racing in NYC any more. Instead I head out of the city, trophy hunt---, I mean running in far less crowded races.
yes, i feel significantly better after running.
box of cereal wrote:
Assume there snipers camped out on rooftops, no concept of peace, land mines on the street, and a 50% chance of certain death, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it is like in many countries outside of America, home of the false sense of existence.
Yes. Our ancestors did that. I really liked that circular thread mill in that new sci if movie with Tom Cruise. What a concept. I can visualize the future already. We will all be on letsrun have a uplink and challenge each other to virtual races. Heck we can have wagers. Prizes. It will be good fun!!! Just buy the treadmill with wifi connection.
box of cereal wrote:
Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
I couldn't care less if I was the one person I knew who ran, but races are important to me, and without some competition, I'm not positive I would run regularly. I guess there's time trials, but year after year that would get boring.
Of course not.
I started running as a kid and never intended to compete until my parents made me do xc in high school. Once I learned more about the sport and that I was decent that is when I started to train and compete. So yes I would still run like I did before I found out about competition.
I'd run more, truthfully.
box of cereal wrote:
Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
Back in what day? Your subject differs from your post. When I read your subject line I thought of the times in the 60 and 70s when few people ran. There were still races and some clubs but running was popular as it is today.
You seem to be talking about the times when Noah was building his boat. I guess that might be different.
I'm in it for the chicks, so no.
I don't think I would've gotten into it without track in high school, so probably not... but if all of that stuff was taken away from me now, yes I would still run.
box of cereal wrote:
Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
Yeah, it sort of depends on what back in the day you're talking about. You'd have to go back to pre-mid 1970s for that (but it depends on which part of the country): e.g., club running was pretty big in some places even going back to the 60s (Boston, San Diego yadda yadda) but didn't go mainstream until the late 70s. And even then, depending where you were it was pretty obsure/weird into the 80s and 90s.
That said, I don't much like the current running boom. The professionals are kind of sequesterd and bland (although they have had many exciting results in recent years); post college scene is all but dead unless you are world class or almost that level; and the hobby joggers. I mean, more power to them for getting out the door and doing their thing, but talk about no concept of pace time! These days a 2:00 half marathon (+- 10 or 15 minutes is HUGE to them--they tend to travel in packs and go who hoo to each other a lot), but the another bloke or blokette reports a 1:10-1:15, 1:20-25 and it nets a collective hmmmph from the the hobby joggers/charity runners.
Where mainstream running is somewhat exciting/cool now: high schools, sometimes college level (nothing beats NCAA XC champs, and the T&F championships are also very exciting), and masters.
Oh and to answer the question. Yes, I'd keep running even if it's not popular. Have lived in places and a times when it wasn't popular and still enjoyed it. And even though I still race, I look forward to the day when I put that aside and just get out and run for an hour a day, give or take, not to train for races but just because it's something I like to do.
I guess I meant if running as a sport didn't exist.
well i never would have started. but if all stopped right now, i would probably keep it up. i wouldn't train hard though, and i'd probably start lifting weights as well, as my runner body type is no longer useful in races. i'd love to put on ten pounds. but that can't happen unless i basically stop training.
Running is popular?
Yes, I remember those days fondly.
box of cereal wrote:
Assume there were no races to train for, no concept of pace time, no running clubs, and you were usually the only one running, would you still run regularly? I'm guessing this is what it was like back in the day.
I'm not sure I'd have started if none of these things existed, because the existence of races and clubs made the sport visible enough for me to notice and try it. Without any of this in place, maybe I'd have discovered running on my own, but I doubt it very much.
If it were all swept away now, I'd likely still run, although with a different focus, just for satisfaction. But racing has existed since one cave dweller said to another, "I'll race you to the next tree." True, there were no finishers' medals, expos, shoes for every foot type, and wicking fabrics, but there were always people racing one another. Somehow I don't think that will stop.
Running is not so popular. In Denver-40,000 people go to the Rockies games 81 times a summer. 75,000 people go the Broncos-10 times a year. About 5000 ran the Colfax Marathon/half Marathon a week ago. A similar number will run the autumn version. About 10,000 will run the BolderBoulder-another 40,000 will walk it.
I'm pretty sure less than 1% of the population can run faster than a 24 minute 5K or even an 8 minute mile.
No, running is not popular. Watching TV is popular.