Perfect timing for me to read this, I loved running so much it became my full time job and now after 10 years of coaching I feel running has lost it’s simplicity and uniqueness. The commercialisation has created an air of exclusivity that has, for me, sucked some of the joy out of running. I now find myself wearing my smartwatch less and less, its strap battered, I should replace it but subconsciously I’m wearing my normal dress watch, it feels like I’m slowly breaking up with my watch!
I'm so glad you found this Verity. It's certainly a process. There's a healing. When we come to the "what's this all for" "why am I doing this" sort of questions and struggle to answer it that's when we know we need to make some changes. Sounds like we are at a similar stage. Bye bye smartwatch. Hello running to the metrics of your body.
Like this a lot. I run quite consistently, and whenever people ask me how far I run, or how many miles, my answer is always "I have no idea". I've never run for the results. If I had, I would have stopped running years ago. I only do it because it makes me feel good.
I've never been a runner (more like an intermittent slow jogger!), but from a health perspective there's a lot of evidence that running actually depletes the body by draining the adrenals & crushing red blood cells etc. I've read a lot of health books and one thing that keeps cropping up is swapping out higher-intensity exercise (like running) for slower, more gentle forms of exercise like walks and Pilates.
Thank you Mandy for taking the time to leave a comment. This piece seems to be resonating with many. Makes me wonder if we need to reinvent running. :-) or certainly, encourage each other to run for fun, step away from the noise and fanfair a little.
Thank you for writing this! I couldn't relate more to my experience with Triathlon. I fell into it in my twenties and chased achievement and accolade, making it my whole personality, whilst forgetting that I didn't actually even like triathlon! I like being outside, and running, swimming and cycling was a way to spend time outdoors.
I've since sold all my fancy kit and no longer swim, run or cycle as much as I used to because I don't feel like I need to train. I go and do those things when I want to explore, or get out of my own head or spent time in nature. I'd rather go out of my gravel bike for 2 hours exploring and only cover 10 miles than spending my morning whizzing around a 50 mile route where I don't look past my front wheel.
I do write about running & identity a lot. On the one hand, I find it fascinating how much running does to us. On the other hand, I also see numerous pitfalls that can make such a simple sport very complicated.
The human need to be defined, recognised, belong and be relevant. When we learn to untangle from that, we find running as a form of freedom, not a crutch to hold us up.
Perfect timing for me to read this, I loved running so much it became my full time job and now after 10 years of coaching I feel running has lost it’s simplicity and uniqueness. The commercialisation has created an air of exclusivity that has, for me, sucked some of the joy out of running. I now find myself wearing my smartwatch less and less, its strap battered, I should replace it but subconsciously I’m wearing my normal dress watch, it feels like I’m slowly breaking up with my watch!
I'm so glad you found this Verity. It's certainly a process. There's a healing. When we come to the "what's this all for" "why am I doing this" sort of questions and struggle to answer it that's when we know we need to make some changes. Sounds like we are at a similar stage. Bye bye smartwatch. Hello running to the metrics of your body.
Like this a lot. I run quite consistently, and whenever people ask me how far I run, or how many miles, my answer is always "I have no idea". I've never run for the results. If I had, I would have stopped running years ago. I only do it because it makes me feel good.
And that Sascha is the best reason to do it. Good on ya :-) thanks for reading :-) Keep on running :-)
"I was paying more attention to the metrics on my watch than the sensations within my body." - powerful!! ✨
Thank you Jessica for reading and commenting. This piece seems to be resonating with folk. Is running broken?
I've never been a runner (more like an intermittent slow jogger!), but from a health perspective there's a lot of evidence that running actually depletes the body by draining the adrenals & crushing red blood cells etc. I've read a lot of health books and one thing that keeps cropping up is swapping out higher-intensity exercise (like running) for slower, more gentle forms of exercise like walks and Pilates.
So well written. Definitely resonates!
Thank you Mandy for taking the time to leave a comment. This piece seems to be resonating with many. Makes me wonder if we need to reinvent running. :-) or certainly, encourage each other to run for fun, step away from the noise and fanfair a little.
Thank you for writing this! I couldn't relate more to my experience with Triathlon. I fell into it in my twenties and chased achievement and accolade, making it my whole personality, whilst forgetting that I didn't actually even like triathlon! I like being outside, and running, swimming and cycling was a way to spend time outdoors.
I've since sold all my fancy kit and no longer swim, run or cycle as much as I used to because I don't feel like I need to train. I go and do those things when I want to explore, or get out of my own head or spent time in nature. I'd rather go out of my gravel bike for 2 hours exploring and only cover 10 miles than spending my morning whizzing around a 50 mile route where I don't look past my front wheel.
Thanks for reading Karl and sharing your experiences with Triathlon. Sounds like you get it. YES! That's it.
Love this, Ali. So important not to become obsessed with any hobby and let it take over your life.
Although, of course, you're not ever really a runner until you've been on the Running Tales Podcast 😉
Hee hee, now that is true. So I am a REAL runner after all. Woop woop
Thanks for sharing this! I feel it a lot.
It seems to be resonating with folk, which makes me wonder if we need to redirect running.
I do write about running & identity a lot. On the one hand, I find it fascinating how much running does to us. On the other hand, I also see numerous pitfalls that can make such a simple sport very complicated.
The human need to be defined, recognised, belong and be relevant. When we learn to untangle from that, we find running as a form of freedom, not a crutch to hold us up.
This so beautifully sums up how I have felt for the past couple of years. Thank you!
I'm so amazed to hear how many people are relating to this. Hope you are enjoying running for yourself. :-)
That’s so tough Peter. Sounds like you have found your happy place without the watch. Good on ya :-)