For Runners And Haters: What I Love Most About Running
For Runners And Haters: What I Love Most About Running
This is about running and not about running, but what I love most about running is that even the elite athletes say we compete with, not against, each other.
Ready to embark on another adventure? Let’s go for a run! You may be instantly opting out by the idea of running. Or maybe you’re worried we’ll go too far, or too fast, for your ability. So, let me dive straight into it - I recently completed my 11th ultra/marathon in just two years, covering a whopping 62 kilometres (just over 38 miles)! This is the longest I’ve ran so far. But you know me, I like to play it cool, so I'll just say, "No big deal.". And I mean it (please save the humble-bragging for LinkedIn). 😉
The reality is that two years ago I could barely run 20 minutes straight. I’ve never particularly been interested in exercise (other than skiing). Combine that with weekly travel and a corporate expense account, and I may have gained a bit of weight along the way. Happy times.
Competing with who?
In running, our only true competition is with ourselves. Sure, I may line up at the starting line with hundreds or (tens of) thousands of other runners, but ultimately, it's my own goals, fears, and doubts that I’m facing. Over time, the longer distances started to relax me as I would have more time to myself to let my mind make sense of the world, come up with ideas and solve problems.
Even the elite athletes echo this sentiment - it's not about outrunning someone else; it's about outrunning the limitations we set for ourselves. Nike Running Club has a guided run with Eliud Kipchoge. You may know him as the guy who ran an “unofficial” sub-two-hour marathon in 20191. His point on this guided run is that we all cover the same distance, hit the same walls, have the same struggles, just at a different pace.
What I love most about running is that even the elite athletes say the only competition is with yourself. Even in races we compete WITH, never against each other. Numbers on a clock or distance on a watch only tell a very small part of the story. Run happy 💙
The elusive sub-four
For most runners, achieving a sub-four-hour marathon would be an achievement (I came close to the elusive sub-four in Chicago in 2023). Pretty humbling to realize that by the time I came up to halfway, the winner (Kelvin Kiptum2) who ran close to the infamous Kipchoge-pace, was about done for the day. And set an official world record.
Needless to say, long-distance running has become more than just a hobby for me; it's a way of life, a journey of self-discovery, and a constant reminder of the incredible things our bodies and minds are capable of. What I find most beautiful about this sport is the community it fosters and the camaraderie among runners, regardless of skill level or experience.
Run Happy
When I lace up my shoes and hit the trails, I'm not just chasing after a faster time or a longer distance. I'm chasing after that feeling of freedom, that rush of endorphins, and that sense of accomplishment that comes with pushing past my own boundaries. The numbers on the clock or the distance on my watch are merely a small part of the story - the real magic happens in the moments when I find my rhythm, when the world fades away, and all that's left is the steady beat of my heart and the “pitter-patter” of my feet hitting the pavement.
So, cheers to running happy. And cheers to chasing dreams, breaking barriers, and finding joy in every step of the journey.
I’m thinking of building a bit of a running community outside the control of social media. We often get race and product discounts etc that I can (and only want to) share privately. Or maybe go for a run. Can you click the link and send a text to that number? I’ll add you to the running group. Nothing formal just to stay in touch without algorithms controlling who sees what. 😎
Join the conversation
Some questions to get a conversation started. Feel free to text me, comment, or just ponder these questions in private. 😊
How can you measure success without the numbers on your running watch?
What’s the longest/shortest/fastest/slowest you’ve ever ran?
What’s a goal you’ve set for yourself? (this question is about running and maybe also not about running at all)
The “marathon” was so heavily engineered that his new time will not count as a world record. For example, the event was not an open competition; it was held for Kipchoge and Kipchoge alone, with a level of support not available to “normal” runners. Official or not, he still covered the marathon distance in an unbelievable time.
Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot (2 December 1999 – 11 February 2024) was a Kenyan long-distance runner who currently holds the marathon world record, which was set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. On 11 February 2024, Kiptum and his coach died in a car accident.