That guy is such a hack writer that he doesn't even deserve the running public's ire.

:laugh:

Poor little guy got his panties in a bunch...which can be uncomfortable when....... running! :drinker: :bigsmile:

Everywhere I go, I see businesspeople! What's with this infatuation with locking yourself away in a tiny room for 8-12 hours every day and the near-mandatory ritual of wearing suits and carrying briefcases? That sort of apparel and accessories must serve no other purpose but showing off. I get it, you have a job. And some of these businesspeople actually purchase leather bags for computers and papers at luggage stores, and even worse, suits and shirts from tailors. Can you believe such stores actually exist, when you could easily buy dress slacks and a Jansport at Target? I thought I was imagining the proliferation of all these employees, but in fact, last month the economy added 204,000 jobs. Buy Big Box!

Here's a nice response...
http://running.competitor.com/2013/11/staff-blog/fraioli-were-runners-and-proud-of-it_89319

Confession: When I clicked on this link, I actually anticipated agreeing with the article to some extent. But I am glad to say that I was WRONNNGGGGG.

The fact that this guy seems to think that someon's run is somehow intended to prove something to HIM demonstrates the extreme level of ego-centricity that he accuses runners of having. And also a crippling inferiority complex.

I think this guy should try getting a hobby other than belittling others'.

I was that guy pretty much till I was 60 BP sky high weight 367 pounds probably going to die if I didnt change my ways. Now I run alone or in groups with a club on a track with other runners.
Most of the time when the weather is ok with ratty shorts and old tee shirts or $10 sweats from a discount store.
I have been mocked laughed at and teased when I was alot heavier for running and at 65 now after years of improving my fitness levels people still ask " BUT WHY RUN? " and I just smile and say because I can run now and I love that.
Generally people that laughed and teased were sedentary and proud of it like some badge of affluence I can do nothing because I can afford to do nothing. They can afford the medical bills I guess.
So we should cut these guys some slack on their opinions they really don't have a clue

Ah-right. Why do you get up at 5 AM every day, when it is cold, and go run 5-10 miles, when it is not getting you anywhere because you are just going to have to get up and do it all over again -- and keep doing it?
Worse, you think this panting and side stitches and exhaustion is enjoyable.
Jeez. Somebody 'splain to me how this is supposed to look normal to somebody on the outside looking in?

An ideal run for me is one where I don't have any human interaction - if this author concludes that we all just run because we are narcissists that are crying "look at me!" inside, he has a complete misunderstanding of a runner's mentality. As far as enjoying running gear, the love of workout gear is pretty common to everyone that works out in general, not just runners.

I have a feeling that he just wanted to start a sh*tstorm to generate attention for himself - mission accomplished, DB!

I've been training for months for my first marathon (which will be in January), so YES I am going to put a 26.2 sticker on my car after I run it. I worked my *kitten* off (literally) for it.

If someone has a problem with it, they can deal with it.

And as an ecard I once came across said "I'm sorry if talking about my workouts makes you feel lazy"

Poor, sad man. He needs to find and embrace his inner runner.

what a sad guy. he isn't even a good writer. He just sounds angry.

Even if runners are doing it for a "look at me", their reasons are really no one else's business or problem except their own.

Ultimately, who gives a rat's *kitten* WHY people are doing it? It's not some exclusive club where people have to be a certain way or do it for a certain reason to be "real". If you run, you're a "real" runner. If you run for a sticker, shirt, Facebook status, or whatever else, you are STILL a runner, because you're RUNNING. That's all the definition of runner implies: One who runs. The WHY part is completely irrelevant, and really doesn't impact ANYONE else except the one doing the running.

No one asked for his opinion, because it doesn't actually change anything, or even matter, in the end. So what if they're proud of themselves? Apparently they need to be, in the face of asshat commentary telling them that they're reasons or outward manifestations are not "approved".

I never understand why people have to take the success of others and become defensive, like others' successes are somehow their failures that they need to defend. Putting others down to bring yourself up is a very immature coping mechanism, to say the least.

I am always wanting to be a one person parade. I only do it for people to stare at me and wish to have my athleticism. /sarcasm :laugh:

Unable to develop the discipline required to be a runner, Chad, who is a little on the plump side and feeling unhealthy, is acting out in frustration.

:laugh:

There seems to be a trend over at the WSJ, first they told us last May that running is bad for us now we have someone trying to make us feel bad for doing something that makes us feel good.

I know what I look like in my tights and fluorescent yellow running shell and I don't care what people think, I (and I suspect I could say we) don't run for the attention or approval of others I/we run because I'm a / we are runner(s).......

If I subscribed to the WSJ I'd cancel my subscription........