Why the boom in running? From personal observations, with no hard data to back it up, I see a few things fueling the fire. As the world continues to get more complicated, uncomplicated leisure activities are appealing. At times we need to be in a world with less stuff. I also know from personal experience that running is the cure for the mind numbing effects of technology, especially the computer. Running has a lot to offer with no baggage. In running we get down to bedrock, back to basics. You dont need a partner, the equipment is minimal and unlike so many sports such as mountain biking, kayaking or swimming, you dont have to go out of the way to find a spot to run. Running alone can be a form of meditation. Running with a companion or group creates a forum for discussion, try that in a pool! For running, you can keep everything you need in a small bag. The sport travels well, especially for someone who works on the road. Trail running is growing in popularity, perhaps an attempt to escape from an environment where everything is man made.
Why the boom in womens running? I asked my wife Kathy her thoughts. Kathy has been a competitive runner for over 20 years; she is a coach and has a masters degree in healthcare. Kathy has felt the boom as the womens fields at races has grown in numbers and in quality. Kathy runs with a group of women on Monday mornings and I asked if any of the women had recently become runners, 2 of the 4 are new to the sport. My next question; why do women run? Her answer; to lose weight, gain self esteem, reduce cardiovascular risks, improve quality of life, increase self efficacy and to increase their level of fitness. And here I thought women get together and run just to talk!
I gave a call to Kathy Ponder, a member of my wifes group and a woman new to running. I asked, Why do you run? "To be outside, to have a time of my own, for exercise and for companionship/friendship". She explained that after many years of going to a health club for exercise she finally tried running from home to save the travel time and to get outside. (Spending more time outside was a theme she kept going back to.) She explained that she started just wanting a convenient fitness activity but each run became an accomplishment. Farther, fastershe saw herself as an athlete for the first time. She had never competed in a sport before; it felt like it was her turn. After running for a while alone, she gained the confidence to join other women for a run, women she knew were runners already but felt they were out of her league. After talking about how far they ran and at what pace they ran, she realized she could join them and did. She looked at the times women were running in the local 5K runs and realized that she would not be last. Now, shes hooked for life.
Kathy said there has been a noticeable increase in the number of women walking and running through her neighborhood. She has also observed these walkers converting to running as time goes by. Kathy Ponders story might be a common one. Maybe all those women in fitness classes are just heading outside! For Women Only The growth in womens only running events is another phenomenon in the boom. We now offer womens only weekly runs from several of the stores.
I need to get off this keyboard and get in my run.
Randy Step
