Get Out And Run

I'm a runner. A quite avid runner. I go out 4 days a week, for a run of anywhere from 4 to 10 miles, depending on the day. And I also have become a bit touchy over criticisms leveled at other runners who are just doing the same thing I'm doing, albeit under different circumstances.

 

Case in point: a few weeks ago, at the Chicago Marathon, a gentleman named William Caviness, a 35-year old firefighter from North Carolina, collapsed approximately 500 yards from the finish line, and passed away. Immediately, the howls of "people shouldn't be running 26 miles" started popping up. No matter that Mr. Caviness was a runner, in fine running shape, and had completed numerous marathons in the past, without incident. No matter that more than a half-million people ran marathons in 2010, and there were less than 10 deaths reported. No matter that running a marathon is no less safe than any other form of exercise. The critics came out in full force that day. It was a rare occurrence, that could happen to anyone. Oh, and Mr. Caviness had raised $2,500 before the race, and was running in honor of burn victims.

 

In the same race, Amber Miller, 27 years old, and also a veteran marathoner, ran the full 26.2 mile course. She finished the race in about 6 1/2 hours, which isn't fast, but the remarkable part is that she did this marathon while 39 weeks pregnant (and delivered her child about 8 hours after the finish of the Chicago Marathon). Immediately, the howls of "how could she endanger herself and the baby by doing this" came out. No matter that Ms. Miller had the blessing of her obstetrician before undertaking this race. No matter that she took regular walk breaks during the run, and that her husband ran along with her, just in case. No matter that she had previously run a marathon while pregnant (although only 17 weeks at that one). No, the critics know better. Oh, and both mom and baby are doing well.

 

And this past weekend in Toronto, Fauja Singh was the final finisher at the ScotiaBank Toronto Marathon. It was Mr. Singh's eighth marathon, but what was wondrous was that Mr. Singh is 100 years old. It took him 8 hours to finish, but he did. The critics came out, saying that running a marathon at that age could be deadly. But it wasn't. Mr. Singh only started running at age 89. He's still going strong.

 

My point with all of this is simple: there is an obesity epidemic in this country. Too many people are gorging themselves with fast food, high-fructose corn syrup, and processed foods, and sitting on the sofa watching mindless TV shows and playing video games. There are other people in this country who are practicing a healthy lifestyle through running, and trying to make themselves better. There are those who want to criticize the others who get outside, get fresh air and exercise, and refuse to be held hostage by junk food and junk TV shows. The only reason I can see for the criticism is jealousy. We can run marathons and you can't.

 

I've only been running for a little over 3 years now, and can't think of doing anything else. I'm in the best shape of my life, and feel so much better after a run, even when I'm sore. Because deep down, I know I'm making myself better. My heart thanks me for it.

 

You should try it - get out and run. It will be hard at first, but if you keep at it, you won't regret it.