Boo to the Runners

A contrarian's view of runners. Boo. One reason: he thinks runners are social media savvy show-offs.

Why would someone want to get up at 5 a.m. and run 10 miles adorned with fluorescent tape to avoid being struck by someone who has the good sense to use a car for a 10-mile journey?

I have a theory. There is no more visible form of strenuous exercise than running. When runners are dashing down a street in the middle of town or through a subdivision, they know that every driver, every pedestrian, every leaf-raker and every person idly staring out a window can see them.

These days, people want more than ever to be seen. This is the age of taking a photo selfie and posting it on Facebook with the announcement that you're bored—in the hope that someone will "like" that information. People want attention and crave appreciation. If you're actually doing something like running—covering ground, staying healthy, almost even having fun—what better way to fulfill the look-at-me desire? The lone runner is a one-person parade. Yay.

Yeah, I think the "slow" runners who go at a 13 minute mile pace and then brag about their six hour marathons are kind of annoying. It's a catch-22, though. The likes of Michelle Obama are so focused on getting everyone active, that anything goes. And you need to "brag" to make yourself feel better. I've been running since before a FB account, and I started running in order to  lose the 15 or so pounds I needed to when I was 30. And I was seeking an individual sport, because you know how I feel about team sports. And yeah, I wanted to prove I was more athletic than how I was perceived at 14. So maybe there's something to it.

I don't agree that nothing is more strenuous than running. I would find hot yoga or swimming much more challenging. Once you can sustain a 10 minute mile pace, you are golden. But as for this running backlash? I kind of get it. But most "real" runners aren't like this. This piece is more of a symptom of Gen Y showboatism, more than anything. But ultimately, I won't begrudge anyone who is exercising and focused on health.