The Evolution of Runners

One of the great sports writers of the twentieth century, Dr George Sheehan, suggested that every runner evolves through three stages: [i]

• first, joggers take up exercise to lose weight and get more fit; they obsess about their weight; and often evangelise to their friends and colleagues about the physical benefits of running;
• then one day the jogger enters a race, and attention shifts.  Racers concentrate on improving their performance, beating their personal bests, and competing.  The mental effort of racing improves the mind, just as jogging improves the body.
• and finally, the racer may become a runner, who enjoys the physical benefits of running, and continues to value fitness.  Runners take part in races, and try to be the best they can, but they no longer expect every race to be a personal best. They run to find peace of mind.

Jogging, they say, is competing against yourself. Racing is competing against others.  Running is discovering that competing is only competing. It is essential and not essential.  It is important and unimportant.  Running is finally seeing everything in perspective.  Running is discovering the wholeness, the unity that everyone seeks.  Running is the fusion of body, mind, and soul in that beautiful relaxation that joggers and racers find so difficult to achieve.

George Sheehan, Running to Win, 1992

Of course, in real life there is something of all of George Sheehan’s three stages in every runner.  But there is a perceptible progression of most runners through these different phases.

The last stage – the runner – is the most difficult to describe to those who have not experienced it first-hand. Running can bring a kind inner strength and self-confidence.  The effect of this can be witnessed in any gathering of runners – for example, at a running club, or at a local road race.  There you will meet a group of people who have an unusual mixture of qualities: a sense of self-worth, without being arrogant or self-centred; equally comfortable in a large group of people or their own company; willing to face up to challenges; and an understanding that, whatever we do in our lives, real satisfaction comes when we know that we have been the best that we can be.

For women, in particular, running can be strongly empowering. Some women can feel under enormous pressure from society to conform to unachievable (and unhealthy) standards of physical appearance and weight, which can sometimes lead to eating disorders and depression.  Running can liberate women from the tyranny of dieting and eating anxieties, and create an self-esteem that helps them to take control of their lives.

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[i] George Sheehan, Running to Win, Rodale Press, 1992

MT. HIEI, JAPAN – MARATHON MONKS BY Turner Wright

Japanese monk © Christopher Chan

Visitors to Kyoto typically enjoy the rock gardens in Buddhist temples and trying to catch the eye of a Geisha in the Gion District (fat chance). What they fail to realize is just how close they are to some of the greatest endurance athletes in the world.

The marathon monks, who live in the Enryaku Temple atop Mount Hiei, are quite possibly the greatest anomaly in Japanese society, if not the world. Few choose to live their lives according to such strict guidelines, especially when it comes to feats of physical prowess. Pilgrims who set themselves on this path are called gyoja (行者, literally “moving man”), and the act of circling the mountains again and again kaihogyo (回峰行).

Wearing only straw sandals (replaced often), white robes, a staff, and hat, each marathon monk begins walking or running approximately 50 km around the mountain to return in time for meditation and the meal. This is done over 100, 700, or 1000 days, depending on how far along the initiated is in his monastic training.

Had enough?

After hundreds of days of running 50+ km, the monks begin a fast: nine days in a fixed meditation position (sitting full or half lotus, back straight) without water, food, or sleep. It is believed that by bringing the body so close to death, the monks will develop a greater appreciation and sensitivity to life, being able to “hear ashes fall form incense sticks, smell and identify foods from miles away and see the sun and moonlight seep into the interior of the temple.”

In case you’re wondering, there have been only 46 men to successfully complete the 1000-day quest.

Running meditation is well known in Buddhism; people unfamiliar with practices in these temples always assume that monks’ minds are constantly in motion, working to unravel the secrets of the universe and the deeper meaning of life. In reality, meditation is nothing more than training oneself to focus entirely on the present: the breath going in and out of the lungs, the wind caressing your face, the birds chirping from a nearby tree … Running meditation is only natural, by focusing on putting one foot in front of the other and communing with nature one step at a time.

http://www.vagabondish.com/running-cultures/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Turner Wright enjoys the finer things in life, which include: writing travel articles, eating too much, and running until his veins pump battery acid. He is a simple boy from Austin, Texas, but will soon be bouncing around three continents. Check out his blog, Once A Traveler.

A free Spirited Beginning.

Next year i would be running my first marathon. "The Mumbai Standard Chartered Marathon." To be present at this event was my wish since the marathon first took place in Mumbai. Seven long years have passed away and am yet to even have a glimpse of the extravagant event full of color, music and the spirit of Mumbai. Times have changed but my commitment to be a part of the mega-event has not deterred. My intentions and my self motivation to be one a part of this event hasn't changed.

All this was for me to just be a part of it.  I am not a runner. Nor did i  run so much after school finished. I was good a sportsman during my schooling years. I enjoyed my little bit of fame during then. But those were  School days. I am no more in school. Now am facing  a a different challenge. A challenge to survive in this so called "City of Dreams." .The Daily challenges to survive in this hush bush city to be someone. But at present, I just wanted to be a part of this free spirited event which brings together thousands of people for one cause. Brilliant. Wow.

Every year I am quiet pumped up to see the Big hoardings, posters, web mailers and even TV commercials. My entire body spills plethora of energy to take part. I say to myself, 'this time round it will be'. Yes just go for it. Let yourself free and feel the freedom, celebrate the spirit of Mumbai. It is one moment i did not want to miss this time round. The race comes bringing all joy and sheer happiness and it goes away leaving people with abundance of joy, bringing the city with its biggest fundraising opportunity. I am sure going to do this coming January (2012). I dont want to run this marathon for showcasing honour or trying to prove a point. I want to run for spiritual gain and physical quest. My passion says i want to be a part of this glorious day. I want to run. As the saying goes, 


"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. 
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."  ----Goethe


I have started with running alternate days every week in order to be a part of this mega-event. The forms for the Half Marathon have been announced and I got mine online. And what do i see on the form


Important Notice

• Please do not apply for marathon race category if you cannot complete it in 7 hours
• Please do not apply for Half Marathon race category if you cannot complete it in 3 hours 30 minutes.

Wow. What in the world was i thinking? I cant even run for half hour with full breath and they are talking about running 3 hours 30 minutes. My body and mind are not fit enough to run the race. I have started questioning my running ability. I thought for a moment why dont i come next year well prepared. Wherein i can prepare to run the half marathon with full conviction to be on the finishing line of the marathon. But whenever i run, i feel no more emotions and my mind is empty of thoughts. There is absolute silence.
I wanted to be in present and not postpone things for next year. So, finally i have made up my mind. If i want to enjoy, then this us the time to start is now.


Let me dare to run.

First - which was just a desire, now has become a passion. Passion to run. My passion says i want to be a part of this glorious day. I too want to run this marathon (2012).

All the best to me. Cheers