Something I learned over the last year as I got into running is that many avid runners don't even like running.<p>I wouldn't say that I "like" running, either. I got into running because I was experiencing a mental health crisis, and I needed something besides drugs and alcohol to deal with feelings that were otherwise impossible for me to cope with.<p>Suddenly, as a guy who has shouted "what are you running from?" at Bay to Breakers celebrants, what had been a joke became a dark and profound awareness. It turns out, I was asking <i>myself</i> that question. Running, paradoxically, helped give me the emotional resilience to face what I was running from head on.<p>There are very few things in this world that cost you nothing, are equally available to everyone, and can automatically, reliably and immediately improve your subjective experience.<p>This is a brilliant joke, and I love it. But the flip side is that almost everyone I know that ever got into running has Been Through Some Shit, is aware that running is annoying, not very fun, and kind of cringe, and Does Not Care, because whatever it is, running helps.<p>All of which is to say — you can think of run clubs as support groups, for everyone who has found themselves with a good reason to run, to be seen by other people who Know. For many runners I know, it's impossible to hate them anymore than they used to hate themselves. So, bring on the jokes.
I’ve always been a decent runner, won some school and county races, but I’ve never enjoyed it, it was something to get through.<p>I stopped running years ago when I took up weight training and I didn’t miss it at all.<p>Last year my wife wanted to do some Spartan races so started training, I joined her for a few training runs and due to the controlled, slower pace she was running at set by the training schedule/app I loved those runs.<p>Turns out I was running too fast and hating every minute. I now run once or twice a week at a slowish pace, it’s been great. Speaking to “proper runners” since starting back up this is apparently very common, most people who hate running are simply going faster than they should.<p>Anything that gets you outside, run/sit/ride/tennis club is a good thing so well done them for organising something.
I get that this is harmless fun - and I am legitimately happy that people got out and had some fun making up flyers and hanging out with other people. When I saw all those people hanging out in the park on a glorious Spring day, I admit I felt a twinge of jealousy as I sit here alone at my desk.<p>But I've got to say... I find it a bit distasteful how Americans increasingly seem to be more united by their <i>dislikes</i> than their interests.<p>Recently there was a frontpage HN news post about "stoop coffee" [1] - and that felt like a much more chill and constructive approach to doing nothing with other people.<p>[1] <a href="https://supernuclear.substack.com/p/stoop-coffee-how-a-simple-idea-transformed" rel="nofollow">https://supernuclear.substack.com/p/stoop-coffee-how-a-simpl...</a>
5 years ago I blew out a knee running and we ended up getting a Peloton (coincidentally the end of Feb 2020) since the doctor said it would be less stress on my knees.<p>Used their service some, but I 3D printed a phone holder for the handlebars. Now instead of sitting in a chair watching videos and scrolling HN, I do it with an elevated heart rate for 30 minutes.<p>Sure it's not the "right" way to exercise, but I've lost weight (in combination with an improved diet), have more energy and I feel less guilty about screentime.
I own a stationary indoor exercise bicycle. Its quite fancy.. has a magnetically coupled flywheel to adjust the difficulty setting and has all the electronic counters etc. I try use it every day/second day and on those days I really have to motivate myself to get on it and do my 40 min cycle. The first 10 mins is really tough for me and I find I have to put in a lot of mental effort to enter a meditative frame of mind that helps me finish the workout but, by the end of those 40 mins and for the rest of the day I feel on top of the world... its the one thing that helps to motivate me to get back on it everyday.<p>I suspect its the same thing with most endurance type sports which include running. Most people don't actually like the idea of it but the feeling of well-being makes them keep on doing it.
I like running, and I don't even wear shoes, from nike or any other maker.<p>The wet sand on the beach at low tide is the ultimate running surface.<p>And getting away from streets and cars and noise and barking dogs and most of the rest of our idiot primate species is a major mental refreshment, as well as a physical improvment.<p>I highly recommend it...<p>p.s. I enjoy sitting too, but like most engineers my work already has me sitting WAY too much. And the authors complaint about corporate "big run" is then followed up with how they start each weekend at a corporate coffee corps. Sad lack of awareness, really.
I love the writing style, and ended up binge reading 4-5 other pieces! This one is my favorite:<p><a href="https://rawandferal.substack.com/p/cooking-up-mehrans-steak-house" rel="nofollow">https://rawandferal.substack.com/p/cooking-up-mehrans-steak-...</a>
Small children love running around.<p>I think adult running maybe takes the fun out of it by making you run 5km rather than 50m.<p>Also the runners who look sexy tend to be the 100m sprinters rather than the marathoners.
As an avid runner this doesn’t seem to sit too well with me.<p>Will they also be ultra sittings? 24h without getting up? Categories toilet seat and hardcore?
Fuck Sit Club, join Shit Club. Al you need to do is say hello to the person in the stall next to you and presto, you're part of the club. Competition schedule will follow forthwith.