Believe me............
Before I was 30, I was normal. I went to parties, dated regular women, ate and drank with some degree of flaw and talked to regular people about normal, everyday subjects. When I came to DC, I found an interesting way to meet people was to go jogging. I would do this to get dates and such. Somehow, I began running faster. I met Ben Cooke one day on the Rock Creek Park trail and he convinced me to run harder and train and such. After this time(4 years ago), I started to run harder and run with serious runners. Since then, running has become too much and all encompasing. I love it but it has made me a different person, so to speak. For good and bad. Another path on my life journey, that's all.
Anyway, it was explained and put into context when I read ONCE A RUNNER. I started and finished it in two hrs at Starbucks, yesterday. Two hrs of reading explains the past four years of my life.
Who would have thunk running is so "ALL POWERFUL".
Interesting times ahead.
Later_______M
I love that book. I have two copies. One is signed by the author and is not allowed to be touched. The other I read at least once a year and is nearly falling apart.
ReplyDeleteMax, good to hear you were normal at one time....Steve, keep your books in good condition...they go for over $200. on EBay each and everyday....
ReplyDeleteSo now do you date trannies, Max?
ReplyDeleteBrother Ernst------ whats your story? in other words, what are you running away from? what breaks you down enough to make you want to run with a bunch of young wild men until your legs feel like marshmellow fluff? if you have not done so, read that book. you must impart true wisdom upon the youth.
ReplyDeletecurious to hear what mighty mooonro has to say?
I run cause my bookie makes me...
ReplyDeleteThe training transforms the body into a machine. Invincible, like I can do anything if I set my mind to it. Run through walls, invincible feeling carries over into our jobs, our goals, our lives. Ever look down during a run/workout/race at your legs and ask yourself "how the f am I running this fast!?!!" Very rare, but I crave that feeling. Train the engine, hope it doesn't break down, treat the engine with respect, but push it to it's limits.
ReplyDeleteJake I think your bookie would be wiser to start placing bets on Bert Rodriguez. Ooohhhhh! But since you asked for my input, Max, I would say that you have benefited greatly from running. I know that some of my closest friendships were made/strengthened due to endless miles spent training with people. When you are out on a trail in the middle of nowhere, you have nothing to do but explore your mind. When you run with someone or in a group, the conversations can get very deep (that's what she said) and become very intellectual, spiritual, etc. I love that aspect of running. But as you say, running can become all encompassing. I have seen many people cross the finish line in their last collegiate race and never put running shoes on again. It is important to find a balance. I'm happy with where I am in the sport right now. I think you all can see that I don't take racing too seriously anymore, but I enjoy being able to go out and have fun with the sport.
ReplyDeleteMax,
ReplyDeleteStop wasting your life reading books cover to cover at Starbucks!
Everyone else,
Ironically, Max and I have something very much in common: neither of us really ran much until "later" in life. sure I ran some track in high school but it is only since my late 20s that I laced them up. What I have found (that many others who have run most of their life may NOT have), is how cool running is.
I will be sitting somewhere, 20 miles away from someting else, and think "If I had to, I could be there in like 2 hours using just my feet". Surrounding yourself with running for a lifetime and amny running friends, you can forgot how awesome that is. you can simply go and run.
There is Dane getting deep for you. Many more espousings will come out in my book next year.