Is running selfish? Why do you run?

Shumeltr wrote:

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.

This says more about you than the people you run with.

I can tell you've still got your head in the clouds, Chicago-Dave. Stay in this sport long enough and it will beat you down, too.

Shumeltr wrote:

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.

Then wouldn't runners just reflect the average population out there?

THE LOCAL RUNNING CLUB here IS A BUNCH OF AVERAGE FAMILY PEOPLE WHO PUT ON SOME ALL COMERS INDOOR TRACK meets AND TRAIL RACES. What planet do you run on?

Habit. I really have no clue why i still make running a huge priority. I'm a 30 year old hack that is 3 minutes slower in a 5k than i was in college but still run 20 to 30 miles a week. It's a love hate relationship that i have with running at this point. I think for me i'm just really in fear of getting fat and think that once i break out of my running routine for even a few months that it will turn into years of bad health and being fat. I rarely ever look forward to lacing up the shoes but luckily i do really enjoy being out there at least half the time once i am on the trail. The biggest reason has to be for health even though i'm not so sure i would be very unhealthy if i didnt run much at all. I eat well and generally take care of myself.

Its kinda like breathing. I don\'t really think about it, but take it away and...

There's some truth in that - my runner friends are dysfunctional in at least one area of their lives and I am even more so (although not gay).

But for people like us, it is a solution that totally eclipses problems which may have led to running - an escape into a solitary world that is meditative, primal, soothing yet extremely difficult - free from this plastic culture, based on repetition and the desire to become a fast runner. If I meet a 2:25 marathoner who used to be a problem drinker I'n not thinking of this person only runs because she is a neurotic. It gives me peace and I am grateful for every step. It's something I'm good at. What I really want to know is what I will find when the day comes that I can no longer do run.

I agree with this guy...

Arkman wrote:

I run because I am an animal.

legally blond wrote:

because I have all these nice outfits.

Very, very funny.

And after BUSA about 5 years ago we all got food poisoning from that van.

running has no meaning until you lose the ability to run through illness, injury, depression, or mere laziness.

once you lose and forfeit your gift and yearn to get if back...then is when you start to find how much it is importance and meaning it has in your life.

few nights ago I ran under fullmoon, no wind and temp around 20 degrees. Stars were like diamonds...got a problem with that ass hole?

Frosty snow man wrote:

few nights ago I ran under fullmoon, no wind and temp around 20 degrees. Stars were like diamonds...got a problem with that ass hole?

Full moon was 20 days ago. Plus, the stars usually stand out better when there is no moon.

I simply run to express myself. It makes me feel like I am doing what I should be doing. When I was in high school I ran some pretty fast times so naturally I went to a Division 1 college because I thought that is what I was supposed to do. By the end of my first cross country season I hated it. Not so much because I was getting my butt kicked like most freshmen do. I just didn't feel like I was getting faster. I still broke 26 minutes for 5 miles I was still on the top 7 of my team. But I jsut didn't feel like I was getting as much out of my training as I had in the past. I felt I was no longer getting faster. I ended up running the rest of the year so I didnt look like a slacker who didn't respect his scholarship. But I was totally done with running at the end of my last race that track season. I didn't run a step for months and told myself I hated it. I went to california and started rock climbing and hiking. Telling myself that there was more to life than running. I told myself I am a climber now not a runner. but slowly the next year as I was training for climbing I started running once a week to keep my weight down. I went back to cali the next summer and on my off days from climbing I started trail running and really started to enjoy it. Slowly I started running and climbing everyday and loving it. I ran a race this thanksgiving and went pretty fast so I decided to get competitive again. I contacted my high school coach who now coaches for a small school. He offered me some scholarship and I am now training with him. This story might not make sense and sorry for the length but what I am trying to say is that running is in my blood. I told myself I hated it and was totally done with it. But as long as it took me to come back I am back in my training as hard as I have ever been. So I jsut wanted to say I do run for myself. I run because it's in my blood. I run for anyone else that runs. I run because I love it. I run because its my passion. I run becuase it is good for me. I run because it makes me feel good about myself. I run to get away from the world. I run to live my life. I dont think it is selfish to run 100 miles a week. I think it is amazing. Do what you enjoy. Whether it is climbing a mountain or running to the top. It is all self expression. And you can really do it all if you want to.Positive Vibrations.

Deep Shallow Thoughts wrote:

Is there some noble cause to run?

How often do you ask why you run?

Do you ever come up with a good answer?

Does there have to even be a good answer?

Really, nobody cares to know your pathetic white life.

I run 'cause

a) I'm good at it

b) It's a fantastic coping strategy

c) I meet cool people in running clubs

d) Running marathons makes me feel like a rock star

e) It's an intense non-competitive thing

f) Helps sleep

g) Takes up lots of time

h) How cool would it be to do a 100 mile run?

i) Ultrarunners, whom I'm beginning to meet, are super fun

j) No one cares

Honestly how many people get the chance to be great at something. Many people on this board if they put their minds to it could count every person in the US that is faster than they are. That is an amazing thing, to be so good at something that it is easy to count the few that are better. Life is full of mediocrity it is a gift to be as good at something as you possibly can be.

"It is all self expression."

Exactly.

Is it selfish to play a guitar, to paint, to dance? No.

Express yourself.

Redskin vegan ultrarunner, MD wrote:

Really, nobody cares to know your pathetic white life.

Do you really have to add negativity to this thread? Hmm, lets look at your name. By identifying yourself as "Redskin" and referring to someone else's "pathetic white life" you obviously want people to know you are a victim. By labeling yourself as "Vegan" you obviously want people to know you are all "counterculture" and such. With "ultrarunner" you mean "I run more and am tougher than you," and with MD you mean "and I still pull all of this off while being smarter than you."

I care about his "pathetic white life."

for the pain

for the competition

for the people that cheer you on

for the time to think about life

for the awards

for the strength

for the bragging rights

for the sport