The Evolution of Runners
Stoshew71
Posts: 6,553 Member
With the anti-jogging theme discussed in the last couple of weeks, and the topic of "so when did you decide to call yourself a runner", I saw this article and decided to share with the group.
http://www.runningforfitness.org/book/chapter-1-why-run/the-evolution-of-runners
Running is not what I do: it is an essential part of who I am. If you ask most people to describe themselves, as likely as not they will tell you what they do for a living. Most of the runners I know don’t define themselves by their job. They will tell you something about their life outside work. This chapter is about the many different reasons why we are runners.
The evolution of runners
One of the great sports writers of the twentieth century, Dr George Sheehan, suggested that every runner evolves through three stages:
first, joggers take up exercise to lose weight and get more fit; they obsess about their weight; and often evangelise to their friends and colleagues about the physical benefits of running;
then one day the jogger enters a race, and attention shifts. Racers concentrate on improving their performance, beating their personal bests, and competing. The mental effort of racing improves the mind, just as jogging improves the body.
and finally, the racer may become a runner, who enjoys the physical benefits of running, and continues to value fitness. Runners take part in races, and try to be the best they can, but they no longer expect every race to be a personal best. They run to find peace of mind.
Jogging, they say, is competing against yourself. Racing is competing against others. Running is discovering that competing is only competing. It is essential and not essential. It is important and unimportant. Running is finally seeing everything in perspective. Running is discovering the wholeness, the unity that everyone seeks. Running is the fusion of body, mind, and soul in that beautiful relaxation that joggers and racers find so difficult to achieve.
George Sheehan, Running to Win, 1992
Of course, in real life there is something of all of George Sheehan’s three stages in every runner. But there is a perceptible progression of most runners through these different phases.
The last stage – the runner – is the most difficult to describe to those who have not experienced it first-hand. Running can bring a kind inner strength and self-confidence. The effect of this can be witnessed in any gathering of runners – for example, at a running club, or at a local road race. There you will meet a group of people who have an unusual mixture of qualities: a sense of self-worth, without being arrogant or self-centred; equally comfortable in a large group of people or their own company; willing to face up to challenges; and an understanding that, whatever we do in our lives, real satisfaction comes when we know that we have been the best that we can be.
For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
George Sheehan, Running to Win, Rodale Press, 1992
http://www.runningforfitness.org/book/chapter-1-why-run/the-evolution-of-runners
Running is not what I do: it is an essential part of who I am. If you ask most people to describe themselves, as likely as not they will tell you what they do for a living. Most of the runners I know don’t define themselves by their job. They will tell you something about their life outside work. This chapter is about the many different reasons why we are runners.
The evolution of runners
One of the great sports writers of the twentieth century, Dr George Sheehan, suggested that every runner evolves through three stages:
first, joggers take up exercise to lose weight and get more fit; they obsess about their weight; and often evangelise to their friends and colleagues about the physical benefits of running;
then one day the jogger enters a race, and attention shifts. Racers concentrate on improving their performance, beating their personal bests, and competing. The mental effort of racing improves the mind, just as jogging improves the body.
and finally, the racer may become a runner, who enjoys the physical benefits of running, and continues to value fitness. Runners take part in races, and try to be the best they can, but they no longer expect every race to be a personal best. They run to find peace of mind.
Jogging, they say, is competing against yourself. Racing is competing against others. Running is discovering that competing is only competing. It is essential and not essential. It is important and unimportant. Running is finally seeing everything in perspective. Running is discovering the wholeness, the unity that everyone seeks. Running is the fusion of body, mind, and soul in that beautiful relaxation that joggers and racers find so difficult to achieve.
George Sheehan, Running to Win, 1992
Of course, in real life there is something of all of George Sheehan’s three stages in every runner. But there is a perceptible progression of most runners through these different phases.
The last stage – the runner – is the most difficult to describe to those who have not experienced it first-hand. Running can bring a kind inner strength and self-confidence. The effect of this can be witnessed in any gathering of runners – for example, at a running club, or at a local road race. There you will meet a group of people who have an unusual mixture of qualities: a sense of self-worth, without being arrogant or self-centred; equally comfortable in a large group of people or their own company; willing to face up to challenges; and an understanding that, whatever we do in our lives, real satisfaction comes when we know that we have been the best that we can be.
For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
George Sheehan, Running to Win, Rodale Press, 1992
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this. It describes everything I can never describe to a non-runner. 0 -
Absolutely LOVE this!!!
I was a jogger for 3 years... A racer for about 3.. For the past few months I feel the shift towards runner is what I am now. I also found a youtube video that explained ultra runner in phases... Physical, mental, emotional & the spiritual... I know for a fact I've had emotional experiences running. Spiritual- I'm not quite sure I'm there yet. But it is kinda freaky the emotions I've felt running before. It's moved me to tears & I really couldn't explain to you how or why. I think that's why I'm a repeate offender for those long distances. I love that emotional journey. That's what I'm really addicted to lol..0 -
Wow! Very interesting, I am just now moving from being a racer and becoming a runner. My wife will be upset because I'm now going to have to buy another running book.0
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I have been a runner for nearly three decades. During all those years I now believe that I have been either running as prey (running away from something) or as a hunter/predator (running after something). Right now I am 100% a hunter. I am not sure I even know what a runner's high is anymore. Satisfaction from running is the norm. Some days suck. As I hunter I run deliberately with a plan and conviction. When I was in High School I imagined completing a five mile run. I thought that would be the coolest thing ever. Today, that is how I feel about finishing my first 50 miler. How cool would that be?! I don't know if this fits the jogger/runner discussion but when I am training for a race goal I don't feel that I am a jogger/prey, I am a runner/hunter. This process will go on and on for me as long as I live and for as long as I am able.0
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For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
I think this is especially true. As I've been running more and more, I'm focusing on losing weight less and less. I'd rather run better than be 10 lbs lighter. I want to be fit, not skinny. My self-esteem has gotten a huge boost and I feel so much more confident and far more pleased my body 90% of the time. (I also think this is true of any type of exercise that women engage in, not just running.) I've also come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be tiny, so I might as well take what I've got and run with it (pun sort of intended).
Good post!0 -
For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
I think this is especially true. As I've been running more and more, I'm focusing on losing weight less and less. I'd rather run better than be 10 lbs lighter. I want to be fit, not skinny. My self-esteem has gotten a huge boost and I feel so much more confident and far more pleased my body 90% of the time. (I also think this is true of any type of exercise that women engage in, not just running.) I've also come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be tiny, so I might as well take what I've got and run with it (pun sort of intended).
Good post!
I feel the opposite. I gained 10 lbs in the last 1.5 month and I feel like I run slower because of it. I'm more determined than ever to lose that weight because it is affecting my running in a negative way. If I wasn't a runner, I'd probably be okay with it, because all my clothes still fit and I don't look ''bad''.0 -
I think there's a slightly judgmental tone to the quotation about racing, as though the final stage of the evolution to 'runner' is somehow 'better'. I think going by those descriptions I was a runner before I was a racer and now I'm both.0
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Racing is tenuous. You are often walking a fine line between success and disaster. Hard speed work and great distance can lead to injury, illness and burnout. Putting one foot in front of the other is all that matters. The labels don't matter as much as the movement. Exercise is empowering in so many ways.0
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For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
I resonate with this. I am definitely still obese even after losing 50 pounds (gained 10 back since I started seriously training for my marathon), however, I feel much MUCH less ashamed of the fat on my body because of my accomplishments in running. (Maybe THAT has something to do with why I've let myself gain a few pounds- oh that and I quit smoking...) Before, I WAS the stereotypical fat person...sedentary and a smoker to boot! Of course I was ashamed of my fat because I lived a life that warranted being fat. Now, I'm kind of OK with my fat because I know in the back of my mind (even though no one else who sees me knows) that I have accomplished some really very extraordinary physical achievements so who cares if I'm a little pudgy. Although I definitely WANT to get rid of the extra fat in order to advance my running it's nice to not feel the need to lose weight to "look good", but to run better.0 -
For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
I think this is especially true. As I've been running more and more, I'm focusing on losing weight less and less. I'd rather run better than be 10 lbs lighter. I want to be fit, not skinny. My self-esteem has gotten a huge boost and I feel so much more confident and far more pleased my body 90% of the time. (I also think this is true of any type of exercise that women engage in, not just running.) I've also come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be tiny, so I might as well take what I've got and run with it (pun sort of intended).
Good post!
I want to lose weight, partly to run faster/more easily, but I can definitely relate to having more self-esteem and being more pleased with my body. I think if I mention how awesome my legs look one more time my husband is going to tape my mouth shut (even though he agrees!) :laugh:0 -
This was really, really interesting to me. Thanks for posting! I indeed started out jogging, then running, then almost started racing. Then returned to running when I started up with trail running. Now, I'm somewhere in between and it feels weird.
It's very hard to wrap my head around, but running is highly personal AND highly social for me. A perfect week is one where I can hit the road or trail at least once solo to relax, a couple times with a group to be social and do some harder running, and ideally once with just one good friend who enjoys quiet company. I can usually find all those things in a week.
I really need to read some of Sheehan's stuff...0 -
Thank you for sharing.
I feel as though, for me personally, I skipped the "racer" portion of evolution. Not to say that I didn't run a few races before I felt like a runner - in fact it wasn't until during my first marathon that I actually felt like I could call myself a runner, but during those prior races I wasn't competing against anyone but myself - races for me are a checkpoint, a chance to see if my running is benefiting me in the way I had hoped it would. I don't expect my races now to be new PRs, but I certainly work towards them.
Running and the running community is the first place that I ever truly felt like I fit/belonged.0 -
I especially LOVE this. As someone who grew up with body image and self-esteem issues, I let that all go when I started viewing myself as a runner first and viewing my body as a vehicle to achieve my running and fitness goals.
Running has done wonders for me mentally, I can't say it enough.
I don't define myself by my profession either.For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression. Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.
I think this is especially true. As I've been running more and more, I'm focusing on losing weight less and less. I'd rather run better than be 10 lbs lighter. I want to be fit, not skinny. My self-esteem has gotten a huge boost and I feel so much more confident and far more pleased my body 90% of the time. (I also think this is true of any type of exercise that women engage in, not just running.) I've also come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be tiny, so I might as well take what I've got and run with it (pun sort of intended).
Good post!0
