Running and Philosophy

The Finish

2008-05-01T04:53:00.000-07:00

I've decided to close down this blog, as the number of readers doesn't really justify the time it requires. I still would welcome any comments or questions on the book, you can email me at mike.austin at symbol eku dot edu.
If you are interested in issues related to sports, ethics, and the good life, see my blog. I'll be posting any running related items there, as they connect to morality and the good life. If you are interested in issues in Philosophy of Sport, see the group blog related to those topics here.

Triathlon?

2008-04-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

One result of my back surgery is that I'll probably be cutting back on the miles and looking for softer surfaces to run on than the asphalt around where I live. It is of course disappointing to have to run less than I'd like, but I'm thinking that rather than focus on that I'd like to find a new challenge. So, I'm going to try a sprint triathlon. The training plans I've seen for a first-timer include just 2 days of running a week, so that should keep my orthopaedist happy. I've never biked much, nor have I spent large amounts of time in the pool, but I'm looking forward to trying. If anyone has made the move from running to triathlons and has any advice to offer, or if there's a triathlon book you'd recommend, I'd appreciate any input you could offer by posting a comment.

Why Jogging is Better than Running

2008-04-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Pearl Izumi has an ad campaign entitled "We are not joggers". One of the lines from the campaign is "Runners are wild. Joggers are runners who have been domesticated." I always bristled when people called me a jogger, or asked if I'd gone for a jog today. No, I'm a runner! But in the chapter of Running and Philosophy, "In Praise of the Jogger", Ray VanArragon, a former college runner and current philosopher at Bethel University, argues that we runners should aspire to be joggers, in part because the motivations and goals of the jogger are better. I found myself being convinced, and echoing his hope to one day become a jogger. I wonder if pride had more to do with not wanting to be called a jogger, or was it simply that I didn't understand what a jogger truly is?

Amazing Grace and Running

2008-03-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

This movie is an incredible testimony to the power of perseverance, of endurance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The film depicts the years of struggle that William Wilberforce underwent in order to abolish the slave trade, including struggles with his own personal health. Ultimately, it was abolished due in large part to his enduring voice and actions on behalf of the oppressed. This movie reminded me once again of the role that endurance/perseverance can play in life, and how those who make a difference in the world must exhibit these character traits. As runners, we know the struggle of endurance on a much smaller scale, but if we can transfer the consistency and perseverance required by running into the other aspects of our lives, this is another way in which running can foster our moral and spiritual growth.

Getting Back to Running?

2008-03-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

This is a little more personal of an entry than I usually offer, but I still haven't been able to walk normally, much less run at all, since the first week of January. I want to get back to running for a variety of reasons, but I'm wondering when this will happen. I have an MRI scheduled tomorrow and my ortho raised the specter of surgery to repair a herniated disk. With some brief research on some trusted medical sites, it looks like my symptoms make me a prime candidate for a diskectomy. I've had chronic back pain since an injury in high school, and have hoped to avoid surgery.
My advice, if anyone is interested, is to remember that in a sense each run is a gift to be appreciated and savored. I'd give anything even for one of those runs where you feel like you've got nothing in the tank, just to be running!

Running and Moral Development

2008-02-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's beside the point. It's simply that I just have to.
-Emil Zatopek

I think Zatopek is right, and his thoughts are in line with the philosophical thought of one of my favorite philosophers--Aristotle. Zatopek's claim is that after running becomes a true habit of the will, an integral part of one's character, then the barriers to running are irrelevant. Aristotle argues along the same lines with respect to moral development. We don't acquire the virtues in the classroom, but rather by habit. We become just by doing just actions, according to Aristotle. If there is some virtue I want to develop, such as patience or compassion, I must seek out situations in which I can do patient or compassionate actions. I could simply go for a drive here in Kentucky, and numerous opportunities for patience will come my way (and I often fail!). The lesson is that if we care about living good moral lives, we should place a "running-like focus" on our moral growth as well. We don't become better runners unless we intend to do so and carry out our intentions. Similarly, we don't become better people unless we intend to do so.

A Reminder to Runners, from Politicians

2008-02-19T16:41:00.001-08:00

I don't have a particular political axe to grind, but it struck me that the McCain and Obama campaigns exemplify something that is vital to success in distance running--perseverance. It wasn't that long ago that the so-called experts thought that Hillary had the nomination wrapped up, and that McCain's candidacy was over. Of course, a few months later, we know better.

There are times during a long training run, or even a not so long training run, when we want to give up. But if we persevere, we often find renewed strength and endurance. I've noticed that I might feel really sluggish as I start a run, but if I push through and even pick up the pace a bit, I can become energized and have a great run. Transferring this to other realms of life could lead to a deeper and more fulfilling life. If we push through the difficulties as a spouse, friend, parent, or in our career, we might find things getting vastly better just around the bend. Giving up because of some temporary pain or difficulty would prevent us from a deeper happiness that is often only attainable as we persevere.

What Runners Can Teach Politicians

2008-02-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite books from recent years that also had the distinction of being a bestseller is God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It, by Jim Wallis. While I don't agree with everything that Wallis says, one of the main ideas of the book is exactly right. He discusses the fact that a driving force behind much of the civil rights movement, including the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr., was "the common good" (Aristotle discussed this idea long ago as well). Wallis argues that we need a new infusion of it in our politics, religion, and social lives. Wouldn't it be incredible if devotion to the common good, even if it required some personal sacrifice, was the norm rather than the exception in political and social life?

What does this have to do with running? Many runners get this idea. We encourage other runners in races, even if this might work against where we finish. We join together to raise money and run for charities that fight cancer, diabetes, and a variety of other illnesses. Moreover, we need each other to succeed in running. This is something that the elites know and practice, as well as the middle and back of the pack runners. Where would we be without the many volunteers who make it possible for us to run a local 5K or pull off a marathon with tens of thousands of racers? How much harder would it be to run if we always had to do it on our own?

If politicians and politically-active individuals and groups truly worked for the common good rather than an increase in personal power and prosperity, it would be a welcome and refreshing change. This type of change would be revolutionary.

I am...a runner

2008-02-04T04:38:00.000-08:00

Kristin Armstrong's most recent blog post includes the following, in the context of a discussion of a friend's trip to the ER and time off from running:

I am a runner.
This has nothing whatsoever to do with race results, placings, PR's, split times, training programs, gender, age, racing schedule, weekly mileage or pace bands. This has to do with something deep, something tender, something profound, something powerful and something untouchable about who we are in our hearts.
(To her friend): You are simply pacing yourself. What I want to tell Katie, and anyone else out there struggling with injury, illness, delay, or disappointment of any kind is that even if you are healing or taking time off... you are still, and always, a runner.

I like this, because the day after Christmas, I thought I'd do some core work, and in the process strained my (chronically injured) back. It's been over a month now, and I've only been able to run one time, and that was too soon. My back feels better now, but I have pain and inflammation in the sciatic nerve, a new problem for me. (Also over at the Runner's World website, Amby Burfoot talks about his recent trouble with back spasms.)

When injured, I, like many runners, entertain irrational fears -- "I'll never be able to run more than 10 miles a week" "I'll never be able to run again" "If I never run again what could I possibly replace running with to maintain my physical and mental health?!?" "I don't want to spend hours in the pool every week"... and so on. I've had these inner dialogues during bouts with runner's knee, hip pain, and now, back problems. Fortunately, and mysteriously in most cases, the body simply recovers. Until that time, I (and all others temporarily sidelined by injury) remain a runner.

Virtue vs. Victory

2008-01-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

Readers of this blog might be interested in a post at my other blog (here), Morality and the Good Life, on athletic and moral excellence. It includes a great story related to the competition between John Landy, Wes Santee, and Roger Bannister to break the 4 minute mile barrier.

Favorite Running Books?

2008-01-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

One of the things that keeps me motivated to run is a good book about running. I thought I'd post a few of my own favorites, with a brief explanation of why I like the book. Feel free to post some of your own in the comments section, maybe you've uncovered a rare gem that the rest of us would benefit from reading.

Here are a few of my own:

Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men's Cross-Country Team,by Chris Lear.
-This is a great peek inside one of the great cross-country programs.

Lore of Running, by Timothy Noakes.
-Everything you ever wanted to know about running.

To the Edge: A Man, Death Valley, and the Mystery of Endurance, by Kirk Johnson.
-A very enjoyable book, made me want to run Badwater (but I got over it).

Duel in the Sun, by John Brant.
-A great account of a great race, and all that surrounded it in the lives of Salazar and Beardsley.

The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What 35 Years of Running Have Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart, by Amby Burfoot.
-This book rings true to the experiences and lessons many have connected to their running.

A Great Quote from George Sheehan

2007-12-21T13:24:00.001-08:00

"Running has attracted individuals of all temperaments, but none more strongly than those who live in the mind."

Mind Over Mind-Over-Body

2007-12-16T06:03:00.001-08:00

See this interesting article in the New York Times for a different relationship between the mind and the body as it relates to running: I'm Not Really Running, I'm Not Really Running.

Running in its Proper Place

2007-12-13T07:02:00.001-08:00

In a previous post, I stated that "For many runners, running is more than an activity, it is a part of our identity." I think that this is true, and that this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is good because it helps motivate us to continue to run, to persevere through injuries, bad weather, boredom, and whatever else life brings that makes it more difficult to continue to run. However, I wonder about the danger of making running a core part of our identity, if this entails that our overall happiness and well-being are dependent upon being able to run. Injuries, other health issues, and a variety of other things could prevent one from running, even permanently. And while running is a passion of mine, I don't think that losing it would prevent me from living a full and meaningful life. Of course, this sort of risk is unavoidable. For example, many of us find our identity in our relationships (spouse, significant other, parent) and those are always at risk. What is the lesson here? I have some thoughts about this, but would enjoy hearing what others think, so feel free to post your ideas in the comments.

Sound Mind, Sound Body

2007-12-10T04:57:00.001-08:00

In the first post on this blog, I referenced the following quote from modern philosopher John Locke: "A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world." It's clear that running can contribute to the formation of "a sound body," as Locke puts it. But how does running contribute to the formation of "a sound mind"?

Many people tend to emphasize the mind and its development as the key to happiness. Our culture goes for the opposite extreme, as people are willing to spend large sums of money and devote much of their free time to developing the body and having particular emotional experiences. However, my own experience is that I am happiest, in the deeper sense alluded to by Aristotle, Socrates, and others, when my mind is being challenged as well as my body. I've found that philosophical thinking enhances my running, and that running enhances my philosophical thinking. Some of my best ideas have come to me while out pounding the pavement. The ideas I'm referring to aren't just those that relate to my job as a philosopher, but also very practical insights related to my daily life as a husband and father. Something about running helps the mind think more clearly, and opens the way for new and practical insights.

Running can also be mentally and emotionally beneficial in another sense. See Get Some Running Therapy for more on this.

Running, Smiles, and Tears

2007-12-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

A brief and good piece from Running Times editor Jonathan Beverly on why a smile isn't necessarily the most desirable outcome of a race.

Heather Reid's "The Philosophical Athlete"

2007-12-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

The following exercise is drawn from Heather Reid, The Philosophical Athlete (Carolina Academic Press, 2002). This book is one of my favorites, connecting sport, philosophy, and everyday life. It's worth picking up!

Thinking Activity: Evaluating Values
1. Question: Which are your strongest and most important values?
2. Observe: Make a list of things and accomplishments you care about in life. The list can include objects, people, degrees, awards…whatever fits you.
3. Analyze: Go over your list and decide whether the item is intrinsically valuable (worthwhile in itself), instrumentally valuable (worthwhile as a means to something else), or both. Cross out all those things that are only instrumentally valuable and replace with the intrinsic value toward which they aim until your list only has intrinsic values or intrinsic/instrumental values.
4. Question again: Do these values actually guide your actions in life? Do concerns about money or acceptance sometimes get in the way of your ultimate intrinsic goals, such as happiness? How so? What, if anything, can you do to change this?

Is there a "Runner's Worldview"?

2007-12-06T05:20:00.000-08:00

In the December 2007 issue of Running Times, Rachel Toor argues that the answer is no.

I think she is correct. In Running and Philosophy, two of the authors address worldview questions and the place of running in a good life from very different perspectives. Sharon Kaye takes running as a way to fulfill our hunter-gatherer nature, while JP Moreland views it as a spiritual discipline.

It seems to me that runners often share many of the same beliefs about life and happiness, and have many attitudes in common. Many of us agree that life's value is often found in challenge, adversity, and sustained effort towards a goal. Of course such beliefs aren't peculiar to runners, but for many these are central aspects of how we live. We come to running with a variety of worldviews, but perhaps there is a significant overlap in our beliefs about life. Perhaps these shared beliefs are what attract many of us to the sport, and keep us in it over the long haul.

Running and Friendship, or the Myth of the Lonely Long Distance Runner

2007-12-04T04:03:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about running is time alone, in the relative silence provided by being "unplugged" from the world. However, some of my best runs have been done with fellow runners. The conversation, mutual challenge to keep up a strong pace, and the sheer fun of running with someone make these types of runs worthwhile. Most runners know the value of friendship in the context of our running, but there is more to it. Aristotle emphasized the importance of friendship in his writings on the ethical life. The highest kind of friendship, friendship based on virtue, is what we need to be truly happy. In this kind of friendship, there is a shared vision of the purpose of life, and a deep trust between the friends. This requires time, familiarity, mutual good will, and mutual sacrifice. Running provides a context for such friendships to flourish.

Running together, because it involves meeting challenges together, and being with your running partner away from computers, cell phones, and televisions frees you up to develop a deeper friendship. Running 5 miles with someone on a regular basis provides ample opportunity for familiarity, trust, mutual good will, and mutual sacrifice to develop. In the May 2005 issue of Runner’s World, John Bingham, a.k.a. “The Penguin,” reflects on the nature of the friendships of runners. Bingham quotes the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, who said that “Exhaustion is the shortest way to equality and fraternity.” Expanding on this idea, Bingham observes that the types of friendships you develop with your running buddies enables you to “go past age, gender, ethnicity, social status, and all of the initial criteria we normally use to judge people.” There is something to this. On the road, your socio-economic status won’t help you run faster. Older runners are able to challenge younger ones. Women outrun men. But it’s not all about speed (especially for the Penguin!). Bingham contends that one reason many runners run slower is that they want the social interaction that running provides.

So what does this mean for runners, in practical terms? Aristotle would advise you to go out for a run, if that is something that you love to do. And while you’re at it, he would say, take a good friend with you.

(Portions of this post are from "Chasing Happiness Together: Running and Aristotle's Philosophy of Friendship," Running and Philosophy (Blackwell, 2007), chapter 2.

Phedippidations and a Philosophy of Life

2007-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

On my long run today, I listened to a podcast available on iTunes through http://www.steverunner.com entitled "Where are we going?" The parallels between the discussion on the podcast and the discussion in the past week in my introductory philosophy course were striking. In class this past week, we were discussing a recent book by Joel Kupperman, Six Myths about the Good Life. Kupperman offers philosophical and empirical evidence in support of the claim that people who are happiest are involved in what he calls "skilled activities". These are activities that are demanding, require sustained effort, and give us a sense of self. I take it that what he means by this last aspect is that the activities are not just things that we do, but a part of who we are. For many runners, running is more than an activity, it is a part of our identity. As discussed in the podcast, running can be a means to and even a part of our happiness as human beings. This is not news to most runners, but it might help motivate us on those cold winter mornings!

Extending the Discussion

2007-11-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

I should add that I would welcome comments, feedback, and further discussion on issues raised in the book from those who have or are reading it. It would be great to get some sort of extended conversation about the philosophical issues in the book going among a group of philosophically-minded runners.

About this Blog

2007-11-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

This blog will focus on issues related to the book Running and Philosophy: A Marathon for the Mind, recently published with Blackwell. The main purpose is to discuss philosophical issues that often arise in the minds of runners:
-What is the relationship between success in running and success in life?
-What can we learn from pain?
-What is the connection between running, friendship, and happiness?
-How does running fit into the pursuit of a meaningful life?

I'll post links relevant to the philosophical dimensions of running, including how the sport of running can contribute to and partially constitute a good life. As the philosopher John Locke put it,

A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this world.