Honestly, as a former competitive runner who stopped running regularly for about two years and is now just getting back into it, I can see where all the hate comes from. I ran up until my junior year of college (2 years ago) and am just getting back into it now. It does suck and it does hurt, but it really sucks because in my mind I'm still in the shape I used to be in when I'm clearly not. There are two things I generally notice about people who hate running though. They run in extremely baggy or restrictive shorts and they run in shoes that are not made for running anything over a half mile. ie Basketball sneakers, many types of nike sneakers, under-armour could probably even be thrown in there. Society says it's not the cool thing to do to throw on a pair of running or soccer shorts that are above the knee to go for a jog. Gotta look cool in your high socks, baggy shorts and nike frees with huge Dr.Dre headphones weighing you down. Not saying you have to wear shorts where your schlong could slip out of the bottom, but they are really comfortable and make running much easier. Of course this doesn't apply to everyone. I also found out that I was severely flat footed at my last medical exam. Not sure why it's never been an issue, definitely not complaining though.
That whole thing is summed up near the end and is the way I feel: "when I run the world grows quiet." Perfect.
It's so boring I start thinking about weeding a garden, doing laundry, changing the cat litter, and about a billion other things. Maybe trail running isn't too bad. Like...super fast hiking. Otherwise - fuck that shit.
Co-sign. For me, it's just a comfort thing. Sleeveless shirt, compression shorts or briefs (running wedgies SUCK), and the shortest shorts I can which can still/marginally cover the bottom of the underwear. I've also found that I feel most comfortable in Merrell's "barefoot" running shoes, which have the soles made by Vibram. I don't pick a side on the whole barefoot running debate, nor do I really care to get into it or know enough about it all to defend any position. All I know is what works best for me, and that's what feels the most comfortable. When running regularly, I rotate the Merrell's with a pair of Asics or New Balance (I'm comfort loyal, not brand loyal) running shoes. Rotating shoes, for me, is key as well. I've read some articles that supposedly support the benefits of rotating shoes, but again, it's worked for me and that's the only reason why I do it. In my experience I've found that the people who don't like running are those who had bad experiences with it because they were forced into someone else's template of the sport. Maybe it's just me, but... running is running. Whether you do a 6 minute mile for 15 miles, or a 10 minute mile for 2 miles; whether you jog in sweat pants or a speedo... who the hell cares? We're all on the same page. Running is a personal sport. It's about bettering you. It's you vs. your body's desire to give up. Every time you go out on a run, it's like trying to give up smoking. And every time you return home, no matter how far you ran, it's like celebrating your 10 year anniversary of quitting.
Revenge, ever run in the spring in a place that has rattlesnakes? Can't really zone out then. On second thought you can but there may be a consequences.
I love The Oatmeal, but I will always hate running. I think another part of the divide is between people who like team versus individual sports. I do stretches and push-ups a few times a day, but I don't enjoy any physical activity unless it at least resembles some kind of game. Like when I play catch with my friends, we don't just stand in one spot throwing the football back and forth, we do button hooks and short sprints and air out (our version of) over-the-shoulder long bombs. I loved every second of hockey practice growing up, even the bag skates, but when we had to do dry land/gym training I wanted to kill myself out of boredom. I vaguely understand the runners high, but I'll take coming back from 4-1 down in the last seven minutes of my beer league game, then winning in a shootout, and going nuts/drinking in the dressing room with guys I've known for 8 years 100% of the time. And RCGT, learning to just skate (instead of joining a hockey league) doesn't have to be expensive, but prepare to be frustrated, even with private lessons. Humans have not evolved to skate. It's one of my all time favourite things to do, but I would consider myself, after 20+ years of competitive hockey, to be average at best. Oh and definitely get a pair of elbow pads.
It's a shame more runners don't come forward, be honest, and say the reason they like it is because it assists in them not having to spend time with their family. "When I run the world goes quiet " ....exactly.
Skiing gives me this incredible high when I land a new trick for the first time. I landed my first front flip yesterday and rode out my first switch backflip today. Indescribable. I also dislocated both shoulders trying to learn hand drag 3's this afternoon so right now I'm laying on the couch gobbling advil. But I still feel fucking AWESOME. The after workout endorphin rush you can get from running or swimming doesn't come remotely close to this.
Childhood sexual abuse, namely. Also, I'm one of 250 people worldwide who were diagnosed with juvenile osteoporosis. Plus depression and PTSD. They say that depression is the curse of the intellectuals. If that's the case, then I also believe that shitty knees and shin splints should be indicative of a high IQ as well.
Squat workout was 325 for 5 x 5 on Thursday. Last night, the dog needed a run, so I took her out for a 3 mile run in 15 degrees. The ol' legs are hating me today. But it's a good hurt. I love that feeling. I'll know my life is over when I never get to feel like that again.
I'd like to follow this up and report that this morning I feel as if I was placed in a sack and beaten with heavy objects.
Dude, how old are you? I use to ride a ton in college and now the idea of hitting the park just sounds painful to me. Back in the day my friends and I would hit boxes, rails, kickers, everything really. Now just hitting the glades is enough for me, and I'm 28.
I'm 22, most of the kids I ride with are 20-25ish. I took a beating on the switch backflips but was taking them almost to the bottom of the landing. No idea what happened with the hand drags, just reached for the lip and I guess I made contact way too hard and jarred my shoulders out of whack. I figure I have another couple years in me before I give up park progression.
I've tried my hand at nearly everything and loved most sports I've tried. Was pretty handy at Rugby as a kid and I still play Cricket at a decent level as well as Hockey(Field because I never learnt to skate and Australia is fucking hot.) Aside from Cricket and Hockey at the moment I play Oztag and Squash and do a fair amount of running. I get bored easily so being tired stops my brain going into overdrive.