Running and Moral Development

If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's beside the point. It's simply that I just have to.
-Emil Zatopek

I think Zatopek is right, and his thoughts are in line with the philosophical thought of one of my favorite philosophers--Aristotle. Zatopek's claim is that after running becomes a true habit of the will, an integral part of one's character, then the barriers to running are irrelevant. Aristotle argues along the same lines with respect to moral development. We don't acquire the virtues in the classroom, but rather by habit. We become just by doing just actions, according to Aristotle. If there is some virtue I want to develop, such as patience or compassion, I must seek out situations in which I can do patient or compassionate actions. I could simply go for a drive here in Kentucky, and numerous opportunities for patience will come my way (and I often fail!). The lesson is that if we care about living good moral lives, we should place a "running-like focus" on our moral growth as well. We don't become better runners unless we intend to do so and carry out our intentions. Similarly, we don't become better people unless we intend to do so.

A Reminder to Runners, from Politicians

I don't have a particular political axe to grind, but it struck me that the McCain and Obama campaigns exemplify something that is vital to success in distance running--perseverance. It wasn't that long ago that the so-called experts thought that Hillary had the nomination wrapped up, and that McCain's candidacy was over. Of course, a few months later, we know better.

There are times during a long training run, or even a not so long training run, when we want to give up. But if we persevere, we often find renewed strength and endurance. I've noticed that I might feel really sluggish as I start a run, but if I push through and even pick up the pace a bit, I can become energized and have a great run. Transferring this to other realms of life could lead to a deeper and more fulfilling life. If we push through the difficulties as a spouse, friend, parent, or in our career, we might find things getting vastly better just around the bend. Giving up because of some temporary pain or difficulty would prevent us from a deeper happiness that is often only attainable as we persevere.

What Runners Can Teach Politicians

One of my favorite books from recent years that also had the distinction of being a bestseller is God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It, by Jim Wallis. While I don't agree with everything that Wallis says, one of the main ideas of the book is exactly right. He discusses the fact that a driving force behind much of the civil rights movement, including the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr., was "the common good" (Aristotle discussed this idea long ago as well). Wallis argues that we need a new infusion of it in our politics, religion, and social lives. Wouldn't it be incredible if devotion to the common good, even if it required some personal sacrifice, was the norm rather than the exception in political and social life?

What does this have to do with running? Many runners get this idea. We encourage other runners in races, even if this might work against where we finish. We join together to raise money and run for charities that fight cancer, diabetes, and a variety of other illnesses. Moreover, we need each other to succeed in running. This is something that the elites know and practice, as well as the middle and back of the pack runners. Where would we be without the many volunteers who make it possible for us to run a local 5K or pull off a marathon with tens of thousands of racers? How much harder would it be to run if we always had to do it on our own?

If politicians and politically-active individuals and groups truly worked for the common good rather than an increase in personal power and prosperity, it would be a welcome and refreshing change. This type of change would be revolutionary.

I am...a runner

Kristin Armstrong's most recent blog post includes the following, in the context of a discussion of a friend's trip to the ER and time off from running:

I am a runner.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with race results, placings, PR's, split times, training programs, gender, age, racing schedule, weekly mileage or pace bands. This has to do with something deep, something tender, something profound, something powerful and something untouchable about who we are in our hearts.
(To her friend): You are simply pacing yourself. What I want to tell Katie, and anyone else out there struggling with injury, illness, delay, or disappointment of any kind is that even if you are healing or taking time off... you are still, and always, a runner.

I like this, because the day after Christmas, I thought I'd do some core work, and in the process strained my (chronically injured) back. It's been over a month now, and I've only been able to run one time, and that was too soon. My back feels better now, but I have pain and inflammation in the sciatic nerve, a new problem for me. (Also over at the Runner's World website, Amby Burfoot talks about his recent trouble with back spasms.)

When injured, I, like many runners, entertain irrational fears -- "I'll never be able to run more than 10 miles a week" "I'll never be able to run again" "If I never run again what could I possibly replace running with to maintain my physical and mental health?!?" "I don't want to spend hours in the pool every week"... and so on. I've had these inner dialogues during bouts with runner's knee, hip pain, and now, back problems. Fortunately, and mysteriously in most cases, the body simply recovers. Until that time, I (and all others temporarily sidelined by injury) remain a runner.