Distance runners are a different breed

[ditchparrot]

I was just watching the local news and there was a report about 5K and 10K races in Scottsdale tomorrow. A lot of the participants are bent out of shape because it's not going to be nearly hot enough for them. They'd signed up thinking they'd get to run in 110-degree-plus weather and the high temperature is going to be in the low 90s. Some are just devastated.

About 30 years ago I covered an event called the Western States Endurance Run. It was the looniest thing I've ever seen. It goes from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, Calif. – 100 miles on a trail originally designed for horses and some of these nuts decided "what the heck, let's just run it on foot." Thousands of feet of elevation changes and temperature swings that often go from near freezing to over 100 degrees. The winners finish in about 16 hours and don't even look tired.

I don't know, maybe those people think those who are obsessed with pulling the triggers on guns are the real space cadets.

[Mistered]

They'd signed up thinking they'd get to run in 110-degree-plus weather and the high temperature is going to be in the low 90s. Some are just devastated.

I am so sorry for their suffering.....

[clovishound]

I read where a lot of folks who are into marathon running have the same disorder as anorexia. It is merely channeled into running instead of not eating.

[dave77]

Saw a video once about a serious runner. He slept in his running shorts, alarm goes off and he jumps out of bed, puts on his shoes and he's out the door for a 5 mile run. Gets back, breakfast and off to the Gym. His serious run of the day is after that. Crazy!!

[BrokenolMarine]

Oh believe me, I knew a number of serious distance runners in the Corps. They didn't have posters of super models on their walls, but barefoot marathon runners. They talked endlessly about diet, shoe design, diet, training schedules, diet, and breaking thru the wall. Then they would talk about the runner's high.

I ran when I was in the Corps... a lot. I didn't care for running much. (Okay, you got me, I hated running, but... it was part of my job... so off I went.) I wasn't good at running, I wasn't terrible at running, I finished the three mile runs in the middle of the group. I once ran a ten k for fun. Once....
The next time I thought about running a road race for fun, I laid down with an ice pack until I felt better. Distance runners? They are out there... where the buses don't run.

Fanatics? No more than any other sport. When I visit my dad, his thing is Golf. He watches it on tv, he played three or four times a week before his major surgery stopped him, and he has golf stuff everywhere. One of the wife's friends is such a Golf nut her little dogs are named divot and slice.

Most of my friends the talk centers around fishing, shooting, or reloading. (...or blondes, brunettes, and redheads. )

[North Country Gal]

I'm not one to talk. I'm into my bicycling to the point where it's more than just a sport, too. It really is a lifestyle for me, just as running is to those folks. Been that way all my life. I spend a lot more time on my bikes than I do on my shooting. I do worry about folks that run so much, though. There's a lot of research, now, that documents some serious health issues, down the road, with all that running. Your legs and feet take a horrific beating. At least I'm spared that with the bicycling. Of course, it has its own set of dangers, too. Ask me how I know.

[PT7]

Dare I ask, how do you know, NCG?

I'm a walker of many years. Used to be at a quite brisk pace, but have slowed down as the years have mounted on.
Still, my understanding is that brisk walking is a most healthful way to exercise. Still like to walk.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

https://memes.yarn.co/yarn-clip/eee0291 ... 63c1caefc7

[Henry88]

I have never ran a mile in my life. In HS gym, I never dressed out (held the clip board for coach Moony). When you have acres of land that need clearing and vines pulled and logs split, I find that keeps me in better shape than most 60 year olds.

To be frank, riding a bike or running down the side of road with cars and trucks careening past is not my idea of fun. Trails are a different thing.