Don't let running run you down

There’s a tribe of runners, decked in neon, discussing their splits in animated voices over breakfast. An incongruity of purpose, as their discussion delves into pacing strategies, effects of compression gear and the best way to tackle a particular race. After all, they will dust themselves down, change out of their stripes and don suits for Mondays – as they head back to their ‘real-world’ jobs – accountants, bankers, teachers, doctors and even politicians.

Sport is taking over the society; walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists & trekkers – droves of ‘active travelers’ giving rise to a new sub-genre of fitness seeking folk. Those who wish to leave the confines of stifling and plastic gyms, clubs and studios behind. The air, infrastructure (or lack thereof) & a general apathy towards activity notwithstanding, the movement is growing slowly but steadily.

But when does amateur sport start taking a toll? Physically, it is easy to discern the manifestation of hurt, pain and injury – and it is the opinion of this author, that getting hurt in sport is nobler than age-ing inactive. The scope of injuries in a non-contact sport like running are mostly minor, more a result of our own conditioning and (poor) form or (incorrect) gear, but where there is mostly physical gain, is there a case to be made against running or runners?


The scope of injuries in a non-contact sport like running are mostly minor. (Image: ThinkStock)

Most certainly there is, and it stems from our mental preoccupation with a sport that started as a pure pursuit.

Bias
On speed, pace, distance or any other metric , we’d do well to remember that no matter how one ranks on any of these, if one isn’t making a living off the sport – one is still an amateur. Then it’s simply a matter of being faster or slower, but still as an amateur. If any bias exists on the basis of a metric in amateur sport, it is completely unnecessary and serves to do grave injustice to the sport.

Obsession
Goals are great, even necessary and performance goals are to be encouraged, not the other way around; but basing every single aspect of life around the sport is excessive!

Pride
Or excess – to the point that communication seems to revolve around accomplishments – small and smaller (because we’re still within amateur sport, remember?) in personal circles or social media – is it necessary?

Pressure
On one’s self to achieve unreasonable goals. The next time your pursuit of a sport makes you feel anxious towards your own self and takes a toll on your body that is beyond reasonable, it’s time to dial it down!

Warning Signs
If you find yourself deriving positive energy without feeling prejudice to fellow human beings who is not on the same path as you are, or not at the same level in the climb that you’re on, empathize and assist, than pour scorn.

If you find yourself lying awake at night, thinking about yet another metric in your upcoming race, breathe.

If you find yourself planning small and big things around the sport, and that is keeping you away from social commitments, evaluate.

Maybe, with a few minor tweaks – you’d be right back on.