Crazy

I was just told that I am "crazy." Huh???

I've been paying attention to my health and fitness for around the past 7 years. I run. I like the fact that I staying fit makes me feel younger and, most of the time, look younger than most of my same aged friends. I enjoy running. I've discovered that I enjoy running in events, everything from 5k's to marathons. I like getting caught up in the nerves before a run event. I like knowing that other people enjoy running as much as I do. I like knowing that there are newbies at every run, as well as seasoned world class athletes. I like that these events usually benefit an organization to raise money or awareness. I like that I usually receive a goodie bag, funky t-shirt and snacks at these events. I like that I get medals at half marathons and marathons. I like the way it feels when someone says "good run." I like the way it feels when it's over. I like how it feels when I think about past run events. I like that people start to recognize me on my long runs over the weekends. I like the feeling of "runner's high."

As far as "crazy" in terms of running, I just don't know. Crazy is such a broad term. A close friend told me that their spouse thought I was crazy for doing all these runs. I do a handful of runs throughout the year but it's just a fraction of what others do. I know people who have at least 3 or 4 events planned per month, and sometimes a couple of those are over a weekend. I've recently watched a news clip last week about a guy who ran 50 marathons in 50 states. Is he crazy? How about Forrest Gump? (Yeah, I know, I'm referring to a fictional movie character.) He just ran. No reason. Is the Brazilian gentleman, Gomes dos Santos, who just won the New York Marathon crazy? Probably crazy happy.

I run because I can and I am able to. It's that simple.

I was never great at team sports in high school. I participated in activities like tap dance, a short stint at ice skating, and a few dance classes in college to meet my Phys. Ed. Requirement. I did enjoy running in high school P.E. class. Running always guaranteed my "A" in P.E. There was no girls track team at my high school at that time, (but the boys had a track team where my brother excelled.) I didn't really start up running again until after I turned 40, about a year after I had decided to get off my fat butt and get in shape and joined a gym -- The running evolved out of working out at the gym and dropping 30 pounds. I have been plagued with bouts of asthma and I've been diagnosed with arthritis in both my knees two years ago. At 47, I'm still running, albeit at a pace good for me, but not as fast as I would like to be. I know when to say "Uncle" and take it easy... I don't need to break any records. I may never have a sub 4 hour marathon or qualify for the Boston Marathon, but that's okay. I actually had a second place finish in my age group two years ago, for a 5k run -- and that run was a not a personal best, in fact, it was the slowest I had ever run in a timed 5k. I was stunned and thrilled all at the same time - How could I run so slow and still win a second place spot? I had never won anything for my athletic abilities before. Participation is everything. I hope to be running for as long as I can. I'd like to run in that group of 60 and 70+ year olds, who I see from time to time at some events. If for some reason I can't run, I would certainly volunteer to help out at the run events.

I understand that running isn't for everyone. I know many people who intensely dislike running because it was used as punishment in P.E. class when they were younger, when the class became unruly, coach would just say "run laps." A lot of people find running monotonous and tedious. Running pains some people. Running is a mind set. It's like anything else. If your mind isn't into it, then it's not worth the effort. I wouldn't say someone is crazy for not running, why would they say I'm crazy for running?

I've entered in the word "crazy" on Wikipedia, and was cross-referenced to the word "Insanity." Hehehe...

Insanity, or madness, is a general term for a semi-permanent, severe mental disorder. The concept has been used in a number of ways historically. Today it is most commonly encountered as a generic informal term, or in the more narrow legal context of criminal insanity. In the medical profession, it is nowadays avoided in favor of specific diagnoses of mental illness.

Running as an enjoyable past-time = a mental disorder? I don't think so. I might be stubborn, but crazy? Nah.

Peace