The ultra athletes: What keeps them going?
I never got to the article because I was shocked, outraged, enthralled and perplexed by the comments left by others who presumably had read it. Here's a small sampling:
"I like to run too but this is extreme these people either hate their wife/husband and can’t stand their job."
"Beats the time/cost of therapy I suppose. They are too busy with themselves to be depressed."
" Most of this is all OCD behavior manifested in a seemingly healthy manner. The payback comes with the inevitable breakup of relationships and mental breakdown that leads to stopping completely or giving up the madness of the training regimens."
There were some positive remarks, and I'm well aware that commentary, particularly when anonymous, on any article leans toward critical. Yet the more I read, the more I wondered: is this really how people see ultra-athletes -- as a bit more deranged than driven?!
13 comments:
I'm just glad I'm one of those questioned and don't have to wonder about what makes me run long. I am also proud of being weird. Who the heck wants to be normal!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, life in this bubble is good:-)
Yet the more I read, the more I wondered: is this really how people see ultra-athletes -- as a bit more deranged than driven?!
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I can ONLY HOPE so, I agree with Steph, I rather be labeled more towards the deranged side than the 90% of whining, overweight, finger pointing complainers.
It would be fine if they said that person is very driven and goal oriented BUT that's ok we will leave those comments from the Ultra Family :-) who been through it and "Get It"
OK now I am going to run for 5 hours on the treadmill to validate my derangeness -lol
great post and thanks for the motivation!
Short answer: yes. As an ultra runner in a corporate environment, I can tell you there's a lot of that kind of vibe out there.
I'd actually agree with the "cheaper than therapy" comment, or even with the OCD ... those aren't necessarily bad things.
P.S. You'll go back and read the article, right? It was great.
Non-runners will never understand why we do it and I don't think they ever will. It might just be because they can't do it (or come close to doing it) themselves. Who knows..
No question that's how the real world sees ultrarunners, and even just relatively normal long distance runners. Put me in the category of loving this distinction.
With anything in life there are enthusiasts who will "go the distance" for their "thing" they're into. People don't need to be bitter & judgmental about them. Live and let live.
I loved all the answers, particularly what listgirl had to say. I like to run. Do I tell you YOU have to run? Heck no! So don't get on me for liking to run a lot!
Heck, I'm no where near ultra and almost everyone I know thinks I'm crazy. So be it!
People tend to put down the things they don't understand. Sometimes it seems an unconscious attempt to convince others to do what they do.
But if conformity means turning into a couch potato, I think I will keep running.
i've kind of quit reading comments on news articles because of the immature and negative comments.
Um, no, that is definitely not how I see ultra-runners. I see them as inspiring. A lot of ultra runners also tend to be older, from what I've heard, since running trails can be easier on your body than running roads, I'd think, because of the surfaces. (although running over roots, rocks, mud, etc., can also be hazardous to your health!)
I wonder if those who left those sniping comments are runners at all?
Have you never had someone say "Wow - you're really crazy!" in response to some training or racing effort? I hear it all the time. Lazy people love the word crazy. hahahahaha... that was a little joke.
When I didn't run (most of my life) I thought of all runners this way...a little deranged.
In all honesty, I was envious of their commitment.
I'll agree with pchieng, non-runners don't understand. I didn't. I do now. I take those comments as a compliment of sorts
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