A Running Community
Running seems to have its very own community. For those of you who run, answer this: when running, if you come across a fellow runner, do you nod, greet or ignore?
From experience I propose the answer is one of the two former. There appears to be a mutual respect for those other few who are conscious of their own health. This community is universal.
Some people run in the city, others in the country; some only run in the sunshine, many just run at night; there are people who run barefoot, and there are people who run in purpose-built running shoes. There is more than one reason for running. Fitness, appearance, getting from A to B that little bit faster, or, in my case, to clear the head. Personally, it is comforting to know that there are so many other people running at the same time… it gives a secure sense of insignificance. Whatever your reason for running is, those other reasons will all be covered too… it is a win-win situation!
There is one major problem: injury. The dreaded I-word brings a shiver down the spine of most athletes, but those of us who run to ease the mind are all too vulnerable when injured. We have become addicted to the endorphins released during and after the run. The lack of this feel-good factor brings about irritation and occasionally depression: especially when we see those of our community doing what we do best.
Rehabilitation can be long, depending on the injury, and we increase our chances of reoccurrence of injury by training too hard, too early. When we do return to an uninjured state, however, we find that the body does not want to work as it used to. This brings about constant progression once more with training and a rise in spirits. Those from the community who have noticed our disappearance smile to see us back where we should be… as we would for them.
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