Philosophy of running (8 of 8)

At a sports psychology lecture we (60 sports students) were asked why we did our chosen sport.

Footballers listed reasons like team spirit and bonding; racket sports people liked the deft skills, hand-eye co-ordination and power mix; water sports people liked the feel of the water etc.

The point is that all had an immediate response. Except me. The long distance runner!

Why? Well I had to think about it. I had to wonder why I had run (off and on) since primary school.

Although I'd competed and enjoyed a number of sports, it was always running that I returned to. I couldn't immediately tell the lecturer that I loved it. Definitely not. But it kept coming back to haunt me - like a recurring illness. It was "in my blood" so to speak, although none of my extended family ever did it.

As I get older I understand why I always come back. Running is a deeply personal hobby. There are myriad reasons why people do it. The health related benefits are obvious. Less easily defineable are the psychological benefits.

When I race - there's nowhere to hide. Try as I might I can offer no good excuses for poor performances. OK we're all entitled to a bad race or two, but if we haven't done the work, we are inevitably found out.

When I take to the canal paths at a quiet time of day my mind does one or other of two things:

1 - Switches off. Completely and utterly. Sometimes I go for a 90 minute run and think of...NOTHING. My mind is in total limbo. This is very restful.

2 - Goes into super problem solving organising mode. After a hectic day, when the mind is racing and working over-time, a steady run is great for putting things into perspective and ordering your day and the days ahead.

Running asks questions of us. Every time I go out to run I am being tested. My will power is being tested, my determination, perseverance, my very soul is being searched.

I have to keep going - to see it through no matter what. If "it" is a 3mile slow jog, or a 12 mile hard run, or a 26 mile marathon I must see it through. Otherwise I am a coward, a failure. These are the conditions placed upon me when I run. I prove myself to myself each time.

We are often told that the run you least feel like doing is the most important one. We've all been there - groaning at the very thought of it.

The body and mind feel sluggish, even exhausted. But, we drag ourselves out and run. After the run I reflect: "was that me an hour ago?" I feel so energised physically and mentally now - like a new person.

Couple this with the sense of achievement that comes with every run completed - the euphoria that comes after a big race, and it becomes easier to see why running is so addictive.

Part 7 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/06/15/4010928-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-7-of-8/

Part 6 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/06/06/4010774-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-6-of-8/

Part 5 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/05/24/4010606-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-5-of-8/

Part 4 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/05/16/4010466-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-4-of-8/

Part 3 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/05/09/4010343-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-3-of-8/

Part 2 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/05/03/4010287-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-2-of-8/

Part 1 of this column is here:

http://westmeathexaminer.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2012/04/25/4010193-get-fit-with-maurice-looby-1-of-8/