Once in a while, I look at what has accumulated in my nightstand, specifically selected to hold reading material. On New Year's Day, I counted 11 unread books and didn't bother to count the magazines (many of which, except for Runner's World, I tossed). My unread Runner's World collection dates to 2011. I flip through the pages and read each for a few minutes the day it arrives in the mail and plan to read the rest at another time. I stopped then and read the January copy with its Special Report "After the Storm: What the NYC Marathon Mess Means For Races -- and Runners."
Each month Runner's World is inspiring and informative and contains an article or two about serious topics such as dog attacks, doping, abuse of athletes in their youth, etc. Two articles stood out for me in this issue: "Are We Running in a Bubble?'' and "Does Running Have a Blue-Collar Problem?" The first article suggests that we marathon runners live in a type of bubble world. We converge in cities en masse, take up space in local restaurants, and create havoc for locals while 26.2 miles of road are disrupted for our race. While in the host cities, we celebrate ourselves and expect others to do the same. The writer suggests that there is and has been an underlying disdain for marathon runners, and Hurricane Sandy merely allowed this to come to light. The Blue Collar article relays that not only do we disrupt the locals' lives, but also remind some that they have less discretionary income than we do. We have the means and are willing to pay $100, $200, or more to run 26.2 miles, not to mention the credit cards we use in the restaurants and hotels.
While not uplifting articles, it is good to have this perspective. I had never thought of marathon runners (myself included) in this way, but apparently others do. I was talking with a friend and former Bostonian recently, and her comments about the Boston Marathon were that she didn't have fond memories of it because her commute to work on that day was indeed disrupted. I must admit that this look in the mirror makes me a little uncomfortable, but being able to understand, relate and adapt in some way because of others' views and criticism is essential.
This has me thinking that many groups beyond marathon runners could benefit from a look at how others view them. I can think of numerous examples -- especially revolving around politics and religion. How many of us live in our own bubble worlds in those realms? How could we and others benefit if in the leading publications in these areas of our lives, the editors have the courage to hold up a mirror and point out how others perceive us? How might we change and create more good for all?
Training this past week:
Mon.: 5 miles; 9:31 pace
Tues.: Happy New Year! Day off
Wed.: 7 hilly miles; 9:27 pace
Thurs.: 4 miles; 9:23 pace plus 6 X100m strides (not done because of poor time management)
Fri.: stationary bike 40 minutes + yoga class
Sat.: 12 miles; 9:05 pace
Sun.: rest
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