For me it sure did so it did. I was walking along the race track only the other day so I was, with me ear plugs plugged in as you do, you know, when I suddenly see horses galloping towards me so I did. Nearly cra##ed me pants so I did but my training kicked in and was able to tempo run out of the way of trouble so I did. Luck of the Irish and 30 mpw saved me bacon so it did.
It was snowing pretty bad last week and I didn't remember to bring a coat. My car was about a quarter mile away so after classes ended my friends were stuck walking to their cars getting pelted in the face while I was in my warm car in a little over a minute
Apart from getting fit it helps me catch buses and trains on daily basis.
Keeps me in shape so I can sprint around the xc courses watchin all you youngins running. You may laugh, but I'm 70 years old and it keeps me in shape so I can get to where I want to be which is better than 98% of other folks at an xc race.
The main benefit of running post college is that you're suddenly a big fish in a small pond. Instead of running meets, you're running with pedestrians, joggers, etc.
In my 20s/30s, I used to go for runs with the sole purpose of impressing girls. I surely wasn't crushing it anymore - but it gave me confidence when I needed it.
Moved my long run up to Thanksgiving morning so I wouldn't feel bad about eating so much. I love running and then eating a ton.
My wife was supposed to pick me up at the train station but she had an issue with a client so she had to go to work and deal with her instead. The train station is a good 2 miles from my house and I needed to get a double in anyway, so I ran home no problem.
Son is a Seal and while I don’t know all the details what I do know is that he had to high tail it over a mountain range and said he ran harder/faster than he ever did compared to when he used to run sub 15:30 and a 3200 in sub 9:20. He chose this over college and I haven’t slept soundly since. His comment was dad if I ran that hard when I was in school I would’ve set records.
- Met friends through running
- Increased social opportunities over my lifetime
- As others have said, I've caught a couple trains at the last minute using my running skills. Before the days of uber I once missed the stop I was supposed to get off at, on the last train of the day. Gallowalked down the tracks 7 miles back to my car. Being in running shape helped me do that in half the time
- As others have said, run home from bars etc, before the days of uber.
- may have helped me get into the university I attended
- have been able to get to the top of mountains for some sightseeing I wouldn't have otherwise
I'm sure there are a few others. Are those benefits worth the amount of time it takes to stay in shape? I think for the social benefits it does. If not for the social benefits of meeting other runners and going on fun trail runs with them, I'd rather run a minimal amount to keep my heart relatively healthy and focus on lifting weights instead (which has been my routine more recently). I prefer or feel better to be in lifting shape. Also finding there are more practical benefits for being stronger, at least during my life right now (yard work is less of a toll, moving stuff around, carrying kids all over the place). When my kids are older and I'm spending less time with them (ie more social opportunities with other runners) I'll probably do a lot more running again. As it is now, I wouldn't be able to handle a 10+ mile trail run on the weekends with friends, but I also don't have the time for it because of kids activities and other family time. When I have more time for group runs again, I'll get back in running shape.
my wife, son and i took the overnight train from london to inverness (tip of scotland).
the rental car pick up spot was 1 mile from train station. the cabs wanted a crazy amt for the 1 mile drive so i ran it.
the cab driver told my wife "he is a stubborn ass". which is true but unrelated to this story.
the cabbies and rental car people thought i was crazy to run 1 whole mile.
took 7 mins. i lolly gagged.
took a long hike with wife, son, a buddy and his wife. after 3 miles or so it was clear some of the crew were struggling to finish. so i ran the last 5 miles, got the car, drove back and picked everyone up at the half way point. i beat them to it, chugged two beers and drove home.
many longs run have gotten me out of playdates and birthday parties for friends of my kid. no interest in them, and long run is a great excuse.