Great question. I'd like to say that it "emotionally" returns me to my youth and the joy of running on Long Island's beaches, or the lacrosse fields/basketball courts with my three brothers as we were growing up, and maybe that is at the core of a deeper connection I've made with running over the years. As someone else commented in an …
Great question. I'd like to say that it "emotionally" returns me to my youth and the joy of running on Long Island's beaches, or the lacrosse fields/basketball courts with my three brothers as we were growing up, and maybe that is at the core of a deeper connection I've made with running over the years. As someone else commented in an earlier post (and I just smiled), running was typically "punishment" in just about every sport I participated (screw up, "go run a lap"; "you guys are not getting it -- everyone on the line for suicides!"; etc.). My brothers and I actually ran XC in high school, but solely to get in shape for basketball season. And we HATED every minute of it. And then a year or so out of college I ran a marathon on a dare from a couple of my NYC roommates -- and afterwards swore I would NEVER do that again. About 20 years later, my oldest of four children lovingly nudged me to run another after seeing an old picture of me from that race. Ran Detroit -- and again swore I would NEVER EVER do that again. In what is already a much too long note, I'll spare you all the details but succinctly my youngest child (at the time about 8 years old) effectively expressed his overwhelmingly pride and admiration for "my Dad, the marathon runner". Pure Catholic guilt drove me to run "just one more" to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes. And I'm glad I did --- as it seemed to, for the first time, open up to me how much fun the pure joy of running could be, coupled with the "challenge" that clearly resonated with the mindset of a former athlete. No music, no gadgets...I just lace-up and go. Every so often I have some rough patches (both physically and mentally), but never a regret once I get out the door. So roughly 40 years after the "dare" and 20+ years after the 2nd "I'll never do this again", I have been so incredibly fortunate to have put 50+ marathons, 200+ 1/2's, and a couple of Ultras in the books. I'm not setting any land-speed records by any stretch of the imagination, and I know the wheels will probably come off the bus at some point, but I'm just trying to stay in motion and enjoy every step of the way while I can. The experiences have been wonderful, and the running community is truly comprised of so many compassionate and caring people of all ages. Has always served to reinforce my faith in humanity, particualrly during uncertain times. Thanks for letting me indulge; enjoy the weekend!
This sentence was like an arrow right through my heart -- "... to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes." I know that feeling!
Great question. I'd like to say that it "emotionally" returns me to my youth and the joy of running on Long Island's beaches, or the lacrosse fields/basketball courts with my three brothers as we were growing up, and maybe that is at the core of a deeper connection I've made with running over the years. As someone else commented in an earlier post (and I just smiled), running was typically "punishment" in just about every sport I participated (screw up, "go run a lap"; "you guys are not getting it -- everyone on the line for suicides!"; etc.). My brothers and I actually ran XC in high school, but solely to get in shape for basketball season. And we HATED every minute of it. And then a year or so out of college I ran a marathon on a dare from a couple of my NYC roommates -- and afterwards swore I would NEVER do that again. About 20 years later, my oldest of four children lovingly nudged me to run another after seeing an old picture of me from that race. Ran Detroit -- and again swore I would NEVER EVER do that again. In what is already a much too long note, I'll spare you all the details but succinctly my youngest child (at the time about 8 years old) effectively expressed his overwhelmingly pride and admiration for "my Dad, the marathon runner". Pure Catholic guilt drove me to run "just one more" to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes. And I'm glad I did --- as it seemed to, for the first time, open up to me how much fun the pure joy of running could be, coupled with the "challenge" that clearly resonated with the mindset of a former athlete. No music, no gadgets...I just lace-up and go. Every so often I have some rough patches (both physically and mentally), but never a regret once I get out the door. So roughly 40 years after the "dare" and 20+ years after the 2nd "I'll never do this again", I have been so incredibly fortunate to have put 50+ marathons, 200+ 1/2's, and a couple of Ultras in the books. I'm not setting any land-speed records by any stretch of the imagination, and I know the wheels will probably come off the bus at some point, but I'm just trying to stay in motion and enjoy every step of the way while I can. The experiences have been wonderful, and the running community is truly comprised of so many compassionate and caring people of all ages. Has always served to reinforce my faith in humanity, particualrly during uncertain times. Thanks for letting me indulge; enjoy the weekend!
This sentence was like an arrow right through my heart -- "... to retain this unearned extalted standing in my son's innocent and adorable eyes." I know that feeling!
So true, isn't it, how we never want to disappoint our kids?
Mike a runner friend of mine gave me a water bottle that says "My sport is your sport's PUNISHMENT". Love it!
Haha! I love it!!!