anyone else run ONLY for the peripheral life benefits?!

Found a woman

I believe Runnersworld is a better place for you.

Wrong Place Buddy wrote:

I believe Runnersworld is a better place for you.

Nah. Ran for Pac-10 school. Had my time in the hard core scene, got my street cred.

Just had our 20 year xC reunion actually, and it was sad to see how many of the old boys have let themselves go.

So many former runners who competed at a high level choose to go to ZERO training when they stop racing. Which is understandable--it's no fun to run 20 minute 5ks when you used to run 14 min 5ks.

My point is keeping some training going makes the rest of life better, even if the racing side of things is pathetic.

Unlike you, I am a never-was instead of a has-been, so I'm coming at it from a different perspective. I like to race and improve on my mediocre times, but I get just as much enjoyment (if not more) from process goals. Plus, it's nice to be fit for the reasons you state.

This is probably a little too positive and New Age-y for LetsRun, though.

You really dont realize that this is why the majority of people in the world run? It is called "fitness runner," "hobby jogger," etc.

There are literally thousands of studies on the health benefits of running. That didnt imply to you that millions of people do this only for the "fringe benefits?"

I assumed when I clicked on this thread that it would be about picking up tail while enjoying a post race beer.

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with running for fitness only. Go knock yourself out, you're in good company.

Theoniongoat wrote:

You really dont realize that this is why the majority of people in the world run? It is called "fitness runner," "hobby jogger," etc.

There are literally thousands of studies on the health benefits of running. That didnt imply to you that millions of people do this only for the "fringe benefits?"

I assumed when I clicked on this thread that it would be about picking up tail while enjoying a post race beer.

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with running for fitness only. Go knock yourself out, you're in good company.

Haha great post and point taken. But I truly think there is a disconnect for many former competitive runners. We got into running for the racing, and when the racing is done, we quit altogether. We go from 80-100mpw to ZERO. I have former teammates who never ran again post-college. Like zilch.

Some of my former college teammates also still run for fitness, but NONE of us were racing to our potential after early 30s.

Because we associate training so closely with racing and performance, to do anything less than 100% seems pointless. My point is to note how training at even a reduced level, say 30 mpw, can have such profoundly positive effects on the rest of one's life.

I believe a lot of these "fitness runners" you mention end up having a better lifelong relationship with running (and therefore enjoy better health) than we former serious athletes.

I fell into that trap myself for 15 years, as I mentioned previously. "If I can't race fast, why exercise at all?" Oh yeah, because it makes the rest of your life better.

From the lumpy early 40s bodies at our 20-yr XC reunion, I know this applies to many old racers.

Theoniongoat wrote:

I assumed when I clicked on this thread that it would be about picking up tail

Chicks love the emaciated hobby jogger look.

I feel you, OP. I've been running around 40 mpw since I picked it back up about a year and a half ago, and the benefits are just insane. I lost about 35 lbs. I sleep great without having to take anything (used to take melatonin). I haven't gotten sick once in that time period. I feel great. Think more clearly. I've even gotten substantially better feedback from my boss at work regarding work performance, when in reality, I don't think I'm doing anything different. People can just smell it on you and react positively. Hobby jogging ftw!

Yeah, but your are still a fatbody.

So you don't actually enjoy running, only the benefits? The benefits are a bonus for sure, but I run because I love doing it.

missnsnow wrote:

the MAIN reason I now train consistently is to gain the benefits I just listed above.

The same for me. I still train consistently, but solely for reasons of health, fitness and well being.

One of the beat things I ever heard: the only skinny people over 30 are either addicted to drugs or work out a lot. I recommend the latter.

missnsnow wrote:

Nah. Ran for Pac-10 school. Had my time in the hard core scene, got my street cred.

Just had our 20 year xC reunion actually, and it was sad to see how many of the old boys have let themselves go.

So many former runners who competed at a high level choose to go to ZERO training when they stop racing. Which is understandable--it's no fun to run 20 minute 5ks when you used to run 14 min 5ks.

My point is keeping some training going makes the rest of life better, even if the racing side of things is pathetic.

+1 and then some! I used to run in the low 14's for 5K. No incentive to race now and run a 20-23 minute 5K.

A friend of mine is a former 2:10 marathoner and placed very high at Boston. He just celebrated his 60th birthday and he runs absolutely zero miles today.

Exactly! A lot of former D1 runners don't run the mileage they used to. Maybe a quarter of that and like was said earlier some run ZERO. I did the zero thing for about two years and then started running again doing about four miles a day five days a week. I did run them at a fast pace which I think is what you call a "tempo run". (we didn't have that term back in the 70's & 80's!) I even managed to run a few road 5K's in the low 16's off of that type of training. Did go to a 30th high school reunion and those of us that ran XC and still did something looked much younger and healthier than many of our other classmates.

missnsnow wrote:

Wrong Place Buddy wrote:

I believe Runnersworld is a better place for you.

Nah. Ran for Pac-10 school. Had my time in the hard core scene, got my street cred.

Just had our 20 year xC reunion actually, and it was sad to see how many of the old boys have let themselves go.

So many former runners who competed at a high level choose to go to ZERO training when they stop racing. Which is understandable--it's no fun to run 20 minute 5ks when you used to run 14 min 5ks.

My point is keeping some training going makes the rest of life better, even if the racing side of things is pathetic.

I can relate. I miss competition but I now I would only be competing in an age group category. That doesn’t do it for me. I admire the guys who get something out of that but I’m all set.

I like how I feel after a run and the big difference between now and even ten years ago is when I get a pain I rest it now. I used to take a shot and run through the pain. Most of the time that worked out, but now I am never hurt.

No in the sense that there are other sports and pastimes I’m into that would leave me lean, light on my feet etc. if I never ran another mile. In fact treadmill miles I sometimes put in because of work constraints and/or injuries give me that benefit, but little else.

But the real runs, the hard ones, it’s a high like nothing else: just the mountain, the trail, and the burn. Nothing else like it.

I didn’t run competitively in college — I skied — so through my 20’s running was just a summer cardio necessity. I discovered running for running’s sake in my 30’s, and now it’s a high like nothing else. While I love competing now too because I’m competitive, period, I look forward to my long lone weekend runs like nothing else.

After I accepted I’ll be hurt perpetually I stopped running competitively and just do it for the health benefits. I still get hurt running 4-5 miles at 7-8 minute pace a day but since I don’t do any real workouts or races it doesn’t matter.

Body by Auschwitz wrote:

Theoniongoat wrote:

I assumed when I clicked on this thread that it would be about picking up tail

Chicks love the emaciated hobby jogger look.

+1

I'm a stud at The Villages, FLA. senior retirement community on 2 miles a day. Making up for my nerdy college years.

will run for beer wrote:But the real runs, the hard ones, it’s a high like nothing else: just the mountain, the trail, and the burn. Nothing else like it.

I didn’t run competitively in college — I skied — so through my 20’s running was just a summer cardio necessity. I discovered running for running’s sake in my 30’s, and now it’s a high like nothing else.

You've obviously never tried heroin, it's a high like nothing else. It lasts longer too, usually around 4-5 hours.