A Risky Proposition?

Little Creek in the Gila Wilderness, near Silver City, N.M. (nytimes.com)

Almost as predictably as the blooming of spring wildflowers, as the weather begins to warm and folks begin to journey outside again, we runners are treated to a slew of articles and publications whose sole [sic] purpose is to try to save us from ourselves. I believe the intentions of the authors are, in general, good. Occurrences of runners who die while running, while rare, are well-documented. Less well-documented but seemingly more substantiated by anecdotal evidence are the stories of folks who suffer from sore knees/backs/legs/ankles/etc as a result of having run at some point in their lives. While there is much to be said about proper training and it's effect on running injuries, I will save that for a future post.

To cut to the heart of the matter, many suggest "why bother?" If running could be risky, then why do it at all? Or if you must run (for fitness, training for another sport or - perish the thought, because you enjoy it) then should one not limit it to very small doses spread out over several days or weeks, thus to offset any potential damage that the body suffers from the act?

I think there are a couple of different ways of looking at it. Yes, people have died while running. Famous examples include Jim Fixx, Ryan Shay, and Micah True to name a few. It happens. It is tragic and causes us all to pause and reflect. But does it mean we should stop pushing ourselves?

Micah True - "Caballo Blanco" - one of my running heroes. (Photo by Max Cunha.)

I suppose we could play it safe. That might even be the prudent approach. But I believe that sometimes the call of the heart is so strong that it must take precedence over what is practical. Think about it. Was any great human achievement ever accomplished by someone "playing it safe"? Greatness is also a relative concept. For some, individual greatness is achieved by winning an Olympic medal in the marathon. For others, it is finishing a local 5K. For still others it is challenging the mind and body to move continuously over 50, 62, or 100 miles (or more). Such accomplishments, each in their own way, are inspirational. They remind us that we can be better and encourage us to step out of our comfort zones. And isn't that what living is all about?

My other thought on the subject is somewhat more solemn. The fact of the matter is that none of us gets out of here alive. I am a big believer in playing the odds. Living a healthy lifestyle, making careful choices about what I eat, what I do, remaining very active, and following all the "rules" do not in fact guarantee me (or anyone else) anything. I have a finite time in which to live, to love, to explore, and to do the things that I enjoy. There is no greater joy in my life, aside from spending time with my family, than to be outdoors - exploring trails, climbing mountains, chasing my dreams...and I am grateful that running has allowed me to go places and do things I could not have imagined when I began running many years ago. I know that for me and for so many others running isn't just about fitness. It's not something we do to control our blood pressure or help prevent diabetes. We do it because it's what we love to do. Someone once said "people don't climb mountains for fitness." I think there's a lot of truth in that statement. Should my life span somehow become shortened because of the adventures and the experiences that I enjoy now then I would accept that trade-off. Gladly. (But I hope that is not the case!)

I would also suggest that the world needs runners these days. It needs the examples of folks who can unplug for a while, untangle themselves from daily duties, and for whatever period of time their heart desires, just go "run around." To get some fresh air, enjoy the accomplishment of running a race or a group run, and share experiences with others is becoming a lost art in an increasingly busy world. 

I look forward to allowing my thoughts to evolve on this subject as I become a more proficient and experienced trail and ultra-distance runner. I have a lot of time out on the trails to think! Who knows what the future has in store? But for now I will continue to lace them up and look forward to joining my friends on the trails. Because that's who I am, and that's what I do.