Some of my friends are having a hard time understanding my love of running. I have one buddy that jokingly asks every time I talk about running a race if I think I'm going to win. At first, I thought he was serious, then I realized it was a joke. I did tell him that I was going to win the marathon on September 13th. After all, every finisher is a winner!
These same friends have been supporting me so much in my life changing adventure in my ASICS (current shoe my body like are the Evolutions.) They really make me feel great when they offer words of encouragement, make little jokes, and ask, with a genuine interest, about the latest race or training endeavor. They call me an addict. But how can you be an addict if it's good for you?
I mean, just because I've been glued to the Tweet's I've been getting about Badwater's progress and following Bart Yasso's trip to our Service Folks in the Middle East on Facebook doesn't make me an addict. It shows my knowledge and willingness to use modern technology.
And when we get home from late from our dog training club, and I hop on the treadmill to get in my 3x800's for the week at 11:15 at night when I have to get up at 5:45 in the morning shows dedication, not addiction.
196 days of running at least 1.25 miles or more in a row shows consistency. New shoes every month to replace a worn out pair shows loyalty to the local running shop. Entry fee's into race shows charity. And group runs early Sunday morning proves what a dedicated bunch of friends we are!
So for all of those folks, my wife included, that say I'm addicted to running, I say nay. I choose to live a lifestyle of a technologically advanced, dedicated, consistent, loyal, charitable, friendly guy--who just happens to run.
Now that my friends is just plain old logic!
Stay safe, keep your soles to the ground, and keep moving forward!
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10 hours ago
6 comments:
It's a "positive addiction". Nothing wrong with that.
New shoes every month? Really?
The first step is admiting you have an addiction.
Ah, I was going to mention Glasser's concept of positive addiction, but I see that David Ray beat me to it!
Here's another off-the-cuff thought: The notion of addiction to running is sort of an interesting metaphor, if not quite a literal addiction. And there might be some advantages in nurturing a running addiction.
Take my addiction to coffee (please!). When I get up in the morning, I don't think about how I'm going to fit my coffee drinking into the day, and I never get tempted to skip my coffee. I just make a pot of coffee without thinking; it's as much a part of my morning as eating breakfast or brushing my teeth. I sort of wish I could get to that level of addiction in my running!
David Ray, I'm still 260 some pounds, so my shoes only last 200-250 miles. I rotate a few pair and replace one of the 2 or three every month--so I'm getting like 2-3 months out of one pair.
Bruce, then there's a second step, then a third... next thing you know I'm off running again!
John,
I like the coffee idea. I wish I could get rid of that addiction though... I'm going to have my paychecks made out to Starbucks soon.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://ovarianpain.net
Wow. One Ninty Six! Keep up the good work. I had a little set back with an ankle injury, but now I'm pounding out the mileage and getting ready for the Twin Cities Marathon.
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