Apparently It's All Good - Until Everyone Else Thinks It's All Good Too

I've recently noticed a theme when reading running magazines, blogs, etc lately:

Running has become "popular."

Apparently, many runners think that's not a good thing.

• So many people are running that big races are moving to lottery systems for registration.
• So many people are running that it takes too long to run a race.
• So many people are running that they get in the way when you're trying to do training runs.

I could go on. But I won't, because every time I read these complaints I think one thing:

 

Get over it. 

 

• So what if we have to do lotteries for big races? There are dozens of races every weekend nearly everywhere. It's not as though there aren't options.
• So what if some people take seven hours to run a marathon? It's their marathon time - not yours.
• So what if some people are slower runners on the trails? You can pass, wave and keep on going.

The point is that running isn't a special club. It's not a me vs you unless you're an elite runner.

And 99.999% of runners aren't elite runners. You included (probably).

Running is a me vs me sport.

• Me vs my desire to be lazy.
• Me vs my culture that's designed to promote a sedentary lifestyle.
• Me vs my mind that tells me I can't do it.

All that's to say - I'm glad running is popular. I'm glad biking and triathlons and kickball and yoga are popular, too.

Source

Run on, people. Run on.