See Adrienne Run: Runner's World

What's All This Then?

Greetings!

This blog has run its course, as it were. Actually three courses, but don't let that stop you from reading. Here's the skinny: I dedicated most of 2008 to running and fundraising for cancer research. On June 1, I ran the San Diego Rock n' Rock marathon. On June 21 I ran a half marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. Both of these feats were tackled with the coaching and support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for which I raised $5,725. The final challenge was the New York City marathon on Nov. 2. This time I trained with "Fred's team" on behalf of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where I was treated successfully for Hodgkins lymphoma five years ago. I raised another $3240 (maybe more).

It was a banner year in many ways. I celebrated 5 years of health. I raised a lot of money. I earned a Team in Training triple crown for completing a triathlon, century bike ride and marathon. I was featured on a show about three first time runners in the NYC marathon, aired on NBC in New York. And ....

You can read all about my journey in sneakers below. And remember:
"A journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single shlep."

(For the back story, check out the Sept. 29th entry.)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Runner's World

Runners don't smile. Most runners, most of the time, that is. Why is that? Are they suffering too much to crack a smile? Are they concentrating or spacing out or contemplating world peace and therefore blissfully unaware of everything around them? Are they too busy enjoying a runner's high to make eye contact with a fellow runner?

Am I projecting? I don't think so. I've certainly cycled through all of those states in my limited running career. What I'm describing is something else. It's a gestalt.

I reckon I'm struggling a bit with what I see as a sort of grim, vaguely anti-social aspect of the sport. It's only when I try to look into the eyes of someone running towards me that I realize they're not really there. Or if they are there, they're not engaging. It feels alien.

Runners are different from triathletes and cyclists, who are different from each other, too. That's an observation, not a judgment. It's not that runners aren't friendly folks. It's been great meeting and chatting when it happens.

People choose sports for different reasons, all kinds of reasons. I have my reasons for doing this, too, and it's not because I think of myself as a runner or a runner wannabe. I've landed in runner's world. I'm clearly a visitor who will stay as long as it takes to get to the finish line. I don't expect to return though.