10 Mar 2010
Spread the Love (of Running)
I love to find words of inspiration, words that describe my running, or words that coincide with my philosophy of running. John Landy said, “Running gave me discipline and self-expression…It has all the disappointments, frustrations, lack of success and unexpected success, which reproduce themselves in the bigger play of life. It teaches you the importance of being enthusiastic, dedicated, focused.” I loved that quote so much when I read it last year that I copied it down and stuck it on my desk at work. Of course, it got buried beneath an avalanche of other paperwork, but I found it again. It screams an urgent need to share the act of running, so others can learn and grow from the art.
Of course, people around the world have been harping on the need for the youth to gain discipline since antiquity. Running can bring self-discipline and self-control. People are also hungry for self-expression, though. Running gives both. Steve Prefontaine said, “A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding.” People run in all kinds ways and for all types of purposes. The search for the answer to the question “why?” challenges runners to express themselves. Time alone on the run and time running with others is time for introspection and expression. It is such a great way to interact with the world.
I love how Landy also recognized the parallels between running and life in the second sentence. Anyone who has ever raced at any level from the beginner 5k to the Olympics knows that sometimes there are unexpected failures and sometimes there are unexpected personal bests. This happens in running and it happens in school and it happens in parenting: it happens in every facet of life. The runner is able to recognize this fact. Set-backs are no fun, but veteran runners recognize them as part of the process. They are easier to swallow if one remembers that there are often unexpected and undeserved joys coming, too. I love the window into life provided by running.
Finally, Landy’s recognition of the need to be enthusiastic, dedicated, and focused is a challenge to all of us. If everyone approached life with these three attributes, we would be more successful. If we could develop these traits in all of our kids, the future would be infinitely more promising. That’s why I’m calling on all runners to strive to be more enthusiastic, not only about running but about life. If you’re not enthusiastic about what you’re doing, why are you doing it? I know there are things (tax day is coming) that no one is excited about. Can you think of something positive about it? Is there anything your tax money supports that you love? Can that thought make paying taxes something that is more positive? Be dedicated to whatever is important to you. Avoid commitments to things that don’t matter. Focus on the moment and what you are accomplishing. Only by focusing on the present can we affect the future.
Finally, share this passion with others. I love to see new runners joining our sport. I know they can gain the discipline and self-expression that Landy is talking about. Running can help them deal with life better. I’m so excited to talk to new runners. Many of my colleagues have recently challenged themselves to run or to run a new distance. I love to see them joining and being active in the running community. Talk to a new runner who just ran his first mile or her first 10-miler. You’ll feel their enthusiasm, dedication, and passion. I’m challenging you to spread the joys of running to at least one new person today. Encourage them to start running. If they are already a runner, plant the seed about a new race or a new distance. Let’s spread the passion and joys of our sport.
Monday: 5
Tuesday:9 w/ 10 X 400 at 1:24 and 400 meters recovery
Wednesday: 6 am/6 pm
Thursday: 6 a.m.
Friday: 7
Saturday: Hilly 23 (meant to do 21.5 but took a wrong turn)
Sunday: Rest
Totals for the Week: 62
Totals for the Year: 473
