My Relationship with Running

I guess it’s very apt that in their latest ad campaign, New Balance describes our connection to running as “a love/hate relationship…a complex and torrid affair…” (In case you haven't seen it yet, here's their new commercial.)

After all, where else in life do we spend so much time on an endeavor where the rewards are so variable. Not only so, but sometimes, as mentioned in my last post, your unrelenting passion and devotion to the sport can lead you to unintended pain and suffering. Although in general I agree with their assessment of our sport, personally, I see running as something a bit more dynamic. Running to me, is not just an action that demands our time and attention, but it possesses a unique personality as well. That’s because on any individual day or any individual run, you never exactly know where you are or what you’re getting out of running. Am I getting faster, or am I just breaking down my body? Should I go for speed today and burn up the road even though I know I’ll be nauseated and out-of-breath at the end, or should I take it slow, run long, and say Hi to every runner that passes me by? I’m running more and faster these days, so why didn’t I PR at my last race? All these questions that have nothing to do with my love or devotion I ask running, but running never answers me back.

That’s why in my mind, running is like a fickle lover who you must spend time with but never promises anything in return. You know in your heart that for the long term, you’re better off with running, but in the here and now, you’re not quite sure what direction you’re heading. Sometimes, running has a good day, and you feel fantastic after just a few minutes on the road. Other times, she’s PMS’ing and you can spend hours running and yet feel horrible afterwards. The worst part is that no matter how she makes you feel today, you know you’ll be back there tomorrow, asking for more of the same, because ultimately, running is always better than no running. (Check out this second ad from the New Balance campaign if you don’t know what I mean!) I just wish she wouldn’t be so damn fickle ALL the time…ugghh!

How about the rest of you runners? Do you have a different/special/unique relationship with running? Please share in the comments. Thanks.