Are We Running in a Bubble? from Runners World January 13

I recently received the January 2013 edition of Runner's World in the mail. I admit, I am not one of those runners that read the publication from cover to cover; however, I do view every page and read stories I think will keep my attention. This issue of Runner's World was special due to the recent natural disaster that occurred in the Northeast and the article titled The Storm (And Everything After).

I read through the opinions, the Tweets and the different perspectives laid out in the article, having already formed my own. The portion that peaked my interest was the excerpt titled, Are We Running in a Bubble? by Mark Remy.

I had plenty of time to think and assess during my trip from my hometown of Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA. Before I read the article, I took time to reflect on my years and many thousands of miles running and thought about "the Bubble." I came up with similar outlooks, although different opinions, pointed out in the article.

For starters, you may be thinking, "How does running in a bubble relate to Hurricane Sandy?" Here is how: many were affected by the Hurricane due to some severe flooding. In fact, so much flooding occurred, one of the world's most popular races, the New York City Marathon, was considered to be and eventually was cancelled. Think about the runners that held their hobby on such a pedestal that they did not agree with canceling the race - they were in a bubble. Think about the Race Director and Mayor that initially stated the race would go on despite displaced residents that lost lifelong possessions and wondered where they would sleep that night or how they could possibly get their life back in order - they were in a bubble.

Mark Remy makes the following statements on page 74 of the January 2013 issue of Runner's World. I will follow with my outlook:

Remy: Here's the thing: Many runners, especially marathoners, tend to live in a bubble. We revel in our specialness, our otherness, and move in circles that amplify this.

My Take: This is so true, even if my specialty is the half marathon. I talk people's ear off about my hobby. Whether it be my wife, mom or friends, just mention running and off I go. I can talk for hours regardless of the person's interest in my love for running. What can I say, I love running, and believe I can impact people in some way.

Remy: Not only that, we feel compelled to let total strangers know that we run marathons. So we slap 26.2 stickers on our cars, share details of our training runs on the web, wear our Boston marathon jackets to the supermarket. Marathoners are tough. Noble. Heroic, even. Don't believe me? Just ask one.

My Take: I am guilty as charged on all accounts. I am currently blogging my opinions, I post my mileage on three websites, which post to my social media accounts, I have a 13.1 and a Bourbon Chase sticker on my car. I take it a step further and have a Running Warehouse sticker on my car, the online retailer where buy all my gear.

So freaking what! Want examples of others that brag with stickers?: Parents, Republicans, Democrats, sports fans, etc. And I love wearing my gear I earn by running in races. As a runner, I do not see myself as tough, heroic, or even noble. As the others I mentioned that put stickers on their cars, I am proud of what I do, the mileage I put in and the places running takes my and the sights I see.

Remy: When we converge on a city for a race, the bubble swells, barely containing the greatness of thousands of Very Special People Who have Trained So Hard and Sacrificed So Much to Make it Here. We check in hotels full of other runners, attend expos and seminar dedicated to us and crowd into bars, restaurants and coffeehouses full of other marathoners.

My Take: I love visiting cities, as people visit my hometown for the Kentucky Derby. They put money into my local economy and I put money into theirs. There is enough room for all of us as humans to co-exist, no matter our hobby.

Remy: But outside our bubble, where the other 99 percent of the population lives,we aren't so special. Many people tolerate big-city marathons at best. Think about it. We barge into town, clog sidewalks, take over all the decent restaurants the shut down 26.2 miles of streets for a half day. All while mugging for photos and glaring at anyone who lights a cigarette within 20 feet of us. Hooray for marathoners, right? 

My Take: Everyone has their own hobby and there is an event that accommodates to those hobbies. Many of you reading this love running and see it as your hobby. Take pride in the fact you travel and run races. I live in Louisville, KY, where we have three to five half and full marathons a year and we welcome the business brought to our economy. As a thriving city, we also welcome people that "clog" our sidewalks, hotels and restaurants such as tractor pulls, international events, national basketball and volleyball tournaments, concerts, and so on and on. The fact is that running is not a burden on a city. Running inspires and positively influences and impacts areas. Running gets people of the couch and keeps them out of trouble. I believe these areas mentioned can "sacrifice" one day per year for a positive boost to the local economy. There are many hobbies where the 1% in favor are out-numbered by a 99% majority - an example, almost all of them!

Remy: In the end, there are three lessons we can take from the 2012 New York City Marathon fiasco: that perhaps runners aren't as universally liked as we think; that running may be wonderful, but it's not everything; and that every so often, we should remind ourselves of those first two things. 

My Take: These are general. Here are three lessons on a similar plane: many hobbies are not as universally liked as people think - cycling, walking, parades, etc.; running may not be everything, but it is not violent, it gives people inspiration, salvation and something to be proud of. Sports are not everything either, but that show went on; and every so often we should remind ourselves of those first two things. Again, sports are not everything, yet they were allowed to continue following 9/11/01, Hurricane Sandy, and following the Newtown, CT massacre. 

Remy: As marathoners, we pride ourselves on our strength and perseverance. Those are fine qualities. But so is humility. 

My Take: I am humbled every time I run, when I run races and see military or police assistance, or when I selflessly help a local charity I hold dear to my heart, directly linked to running which opened the door for me to help them. I am humbled when I see the ability in disabled kids I work hard to raise money for. I am humbled when I cross the finish line and share an embrace with my sister and my nieces, who, no matter how much I love them, suddenly lost a husband and a father, and may possible be the least bit inspired when I nearly set a PR when running with their pain and heavy hearts on my shoulders. Sir, that is humility, and do not criticize the majority who are not selfish, but selfless in their efforts to inspire, raise money, volunteer, support and give a little love for people they may or may not know. 

I believe many runners do run in a bubble. Some run while listening to music and all around them seems to disappear, barely avoiding contact with cars, bikers, or on-coming walkers and runners. Some think they are the only person that deserves to be on a sidewalk, path or street and do not get out of the way or yield. Before making runners the villain, think of these similarities: cyclists, drivers, motorcyclists, smokers, the impatient, shoppers, parents with strollers, etc. 

People in general live in a bubble. We get some caught up in ourselves, our situations and get caught in the moment, where no one or nothing else matters. 

Yes, this article made me emotional due to efforts I put forth and painful experiences I have been blessed to endure over in 2012. I deeply feel for the Northeast and definitely agree with the cancellation of the 2012 NYC Marathon. What I do not agree with is vilifying runners who just wanted to run. Many, when receiving the news the race was cancelled, still ran for their charities and for donors while others volunteered their time to help those affected by Sandy. 

A Message to New York and New Jersey: Runners across the nation know you hold the NYC Marathon to a high standard and you have worked hard with great pride when volunteering or participating at this annual event. I challenge you, in 2013, to show your pride and look back at Sandy with a grin on your face. Runners just wanted to run. Please safely welcome runners to your city in 2013 and make the NYC Marathon the best ever.

FIT4LIFE

Happy Running!!!!!

@jameshoagy on Twitter