Adventures in Urban running?
The most tangible aspect of running is race day. There are many defined aspects including location, start time, distance, route, number of entrants, your finishing time, goodie bag contents, social atmosphere, etc. As enjoyable as races can be, they are typically a once in a while activity. Sessions can be a more regular occurrence and can be fun when feeling fresh, therefore they are usually not more than twice a week. Training can be done everyday but at a different level, intensity and focus. Should we just accept this as limitations, or is there a way to get more out of running on a daily basis without overdoing racing and sessions? A race and a session are very defined events and perhaps the question should be how to break free of the session and adventure into running as a lifestyle choice? Perhaps mountain running could be an alternative which includes the more rich sensory environment of a trail, comparatively engaging our senses to a greater extent that can animate our imagination. If mountain running is the ultimate and you cant always get out into the hills, is there a way to transfer some of the sense of adventure to an urban environment? If we break down mountain running into an activity we could say that it involves desire, which requires unpredictability, adventure, spontaneity. The question becomes more manageable now, how to facilitate these aspects of desire, unpredictability, adventure and spontaneity to running in an urban environment and on a daily basis?
The biggest stumbling block is that some days are busy days, involving responsibilities, commitments and schedules. What if I have a hectic day, where am I going to fit in my training? I could get up very early to run, but that is not always so fun and is that really my only option? If I get creative and introduce some risk, it is much more adventurous to integrate running and commuting. There is the risk of messing up your appearance (aka sweating, via bad weather, etc), having a reckless disregard for standard procedure (avoiding public/private transport, cycling, etc). Creativity involves how you are going to manage the commute. On a bicycle or on public/private transport, it is easy to carry a bag, even a quite sizeable one without much extra effort. Carrying stuff whilst running can be burdensome, therefore there are decisions to be made such as to carry your lunch or carry your wallet to buy lunch. Do I bring spare clothes or carefully choose items that I’ll present myself in when I arrive? More and more workplaces have showers and lockers which can facilitate exercise as a commute, including leaving workplace clothes in work. You may find things can become unnecessary unless it fits into a bumbag and even that can be dispensed with. A phone and debit card can become the bare essentials.
To integrate running as a lifestyle choice it can change your perception, your focus and spending habits in many ways including:
- Shrinking the city: Your perception of distance and ability to get around.
- Increased desire to be self reliant on your own two feet to get around. This may lead to quoting the following: “No one is your friend but your legs, your legs are your friend”, as told to a young Geronimo (We Shall Remain: Episode 4, 2009)
- What you say to yourself: For example if you aimed to train twice a day, before the second run of the day you may find yourself thinking, am I tried? Do I need to rest? You may find this analysis and questioning and uncertainty absence when running is no longer a defined training session. This can free up energy and focus during day for other things in the moment. When it comes time to go home the focus tends to be more action focused such as, I am here and I want to get home, am putting on my shoes and going on my way.
- Spending: You may find yourself investing in merino wool running products instead of public transport.
- Admiration from others may reinforce using running as commuting!
murchubrian 