Is running selfish? Why do you run?

because I have all these nice outfits.

ummm keeping up the anorexia nervosa. A replacement for prozak. Calming the ADHD. eh, all kinds of reasons. Not selfish. Just protecting the world from an overweight, melodramatic spaz :)

Because I still can.

I don't think it's that selfish to be running. Same could be said for those who like golf, hiking, fishing, etc.

I don't think running is selfish. Itc can be but I also run so my parents don't have to pay for me to go to college. but i also love it.

How often do you ask why you run?

About once or twice a run.... the answer is to get better and to be able to compete. The general answer outside of training for competition is to feel peace, to put my body through pain (cleansing my body of all the negative crap), but for the most part, I guess it is my "religion" so to speak. I clear my head, I process my problems and stresses for the day, and come up with solutions, all while sharpening my physical abilities. It is similar to praying and going to church on sunday, without getting dressed up while getting physical and mental benefits to boot. To loosely paraphrase a quote from the movie Point Break-- "Surfing (running) isnt a sport, its a state of mind. Its where you lose yourself and find yourself."

Does there have to even be a good answer?

No, as long as the person running isnt being literally forced to run. You get out of it what you put into it.

Distance running is selfish.

[quote]assistant to the regional mgr wrote:

I do all of my training at 9:00 P.M. and later for the simple reason that I have a family.

I'm in the same boat. Keep it going.

i wish i hadn't wasted my TOD vote on the masturbation thread

It's all about self-improvement. Setting goals for yourself and reaching them.

If your a team player, there's a good chance someone's gonna shift the blame when things don't go right.

With running, you have nobody to blame but yourself. In a sense, running can act as a reflection of who you are. It can be a measure of your will power, etc.

Also, runners tend to have unique characters. I tend to find their characters more relevant to my lifestyle.

Is running about self? YES

But, running itsekf is more constructive than destructive.

I can't type worth a sh*t!

Why do I run?

What's the alternative?

I think Henry Rono said it all in his thread - he runs to feel the wind in his face.

Enough with the feel good bull crap. I've been in several running clubs and can tell you with certainty that the majority of runners are running away from their personal baggage. Most are alcoholics and other addictive personalities both on the wagon, and off. Others are closeted gays and bisexuals, self-loathing and otherwise. Still others are basically disfunctional personalties with obsessive-compulsive disorder or other neurotic tendencies.

The handful of runners who don't fall in to any of these catagories are simply genuinely so self-absorbed that no sane person would ever care to associate with such an egotistical misfit.

That's the reality. Deal with it.

Shumeltr wrote:

the majority of runners are running away from their personal baggage.... Still others are basically disfunctional personalties with obsessive-compulsive disorder or other neurotic tendencies.

The handful of runners who don't fall in to any of these catagories are simply genuinely so self-absorbed that no sane person would ever care to associate with such an egotistical misfit.

That's the reality. Deal with it.

Ummmm.....NO. I'm not sure what type of running clubs you deal with or the teammates you've had in the past, but if those are your experiences with other runners, I'm truly sorry to hear that.

Are there some runners who are completely obsessed about running that their life revolves around it? Yes

Are there some runners that are completely "self-absorbed...that no sane person would associate with"? Yes, but this goes with anybody in general, not just runners.

Are there runners that run to "run away from their personal baggage" i.e. a dark secret, etc.? Yes, but once again that is not something that specifically hits runners...anybody with any hobby could be in this case.

To generalize and say that all runners are running away from personal baggage, or those that aren't are completely self-absorbed is completely absurd. Running is a very healthy hobby to be a part of, we should all be thankful that we have the ability to do so.

Personally, I run because the self-satisfaction I get from it is better than any hobby I've ever done. It is an excellent stress reliever, and not to mention I absolutely love the competition aspect...it truly is the purest form of competition there is.

I ran in high school and I wish I could have those years back, I'm very glad I stopped running, also, I'm not fat because of it, I now am in shape, instead of being skinny and ignored by women for being 6-2 160 pounds, and that was already bigger than most runners.

Geeeze, from the looks of this thread............I think it's safe to assume that running means a lot of different things to different people.

Wow! Who would've ever thought this was possible. It's just too good to be true.

Come on guys let's go out and run a few more kilometers and celebrate our new-found glory!!!

6'2" and 160lbs is pretty damn small dude.

I'm 6 feet and 175 lbs. and I definately don't strike my peer runners as "big". By the way, the guys I run with are about 32-34 minutes 10k guys.

There are times that we encounter in life where we dont think we can go on; where life will soon slow down or stop... it is here, in this moment, that if you push yourself a little more just to go on and not stop, that you will truly understand what it is to live, for the largest wars that we face are the ones that wage inside of ourselves.

Deep Shallow Thoughts wrote:

Is there some noble cause to run? yes, but it differs from runner to runner

How often do you ask why you run? never, i'll continue running for as long as I live...there are always goals to be accomplished and people to beat

Do you ever come up with a good answer? well, it helps my vains show which I think is kind of a sign that you are fit and others can recognize it so its a true sign of fitness

Does there have to even be a good answer? nah, you just gotta run if you feel like running