Well, my theory is that everyone is potentially schizophrenic on account that we all have brains separted by the two hemispheres that have differnt functions and operate, at times, very independently of each other. The left brain is the dominant conscious side that is rational; the right brain is the subconscious, emotional (beastly) side that is not concerned with being rational but looks for patterns in all things and it is where our timing comes from. Since running involves so much timing, as do all sports, then it is a right brain activity. The more you use the right brain, the more inclined it is to become dominant and then anything goes. The left brain is rationally optimistic--the right brain is anchored in pessimism but it is the side where infactuation resides as well. For simplisity's sake, think of the left brain being the intelligent, rational Dr. Jekyll in us who is out going enough and a bit scattered minded but always friendly. The right brain is childish putting it mildly and it is the Mr. Hyde in us that can ultimately destroy others and itself. Michael Jackson is a very observable schizophrenic on the very brink of complete and total insanity. He is dagerously child-like and reclusive. Howard Hughes was a very good example of a recluse schizophrenic. Ultimately schizophrenia can greatly alter a person's sex drive--Hughes was bisexual, and Jackson seems to only like little boys.
As far as how this all effects runners: as long as a runner is nearly daily engaged with doing left brain activiy, there probably is no chance of that person ever suffering any severe bouts of schizophrenia where their sex drive will be altered or where they might become a reclusive. But they do need to steer clear of taking on supreme right brain activities such as yoga, getting deeply involved in music, or constantly playing video games or any games really--like even chess (witness Bobby Fischer).
Now you take a person who has been running several miles for years and years. Observe when they get injured. Do they act as if the end of the world is just around the corner and their running life may be meeting up with a tragic end? Are they involved in other physical activities that can take the place of running? And so forth. I am still only observing--but I don't like what I am seeing so far. flagpole's posts are the most revealing so far. Notice how he finally agreed that his name-calling has gotten out of hand and he need to control it--then he proceeded to name call--or implied as such. He will straighten up in one sentence and collapse in the very next sentence. He has no idea that he is doing this. Also, notice how childish he has become in his attempts to dominate. Realize--the left brain is a bit of a scatter brain--it doesn't care if it has to lead or follow just as long as things work out well. The right brain is like a constant nagging kid who will only be hapy once it dominates everything--it is easier for it to crush and destroy that way. It is the subconscious's attempt to become dominate over the left brain and it sees no real reason to be rational as long as it stays to a pattern. so, when a person becomes distrought over, say, an injury, then the right brain really starts making headway against the rational left brain. It is very dangerous to hear Flagpole at this time bring up his loving wife so much. I see him binging her home flowers from work, only to end up beating her with them over her head. I know this is happening just like when at home, Lennon used to beat and pull Yoko's hair and visitors used to comment about her hair being on the floor all over the place when they used to visit back then. The right brain is the frightened child in us whose resolves oftentimes means violence!!!
