Who/What are the enemies of running?

[spikers]

Who or what do you see as the enemies of running? Here is my list. Add to it. Or maybe there is one here you don’t agree with.

The couch
Television
A busted alarm clock
Oprah. (come on, did she really RUN the NYC marathon?)
Run/walk programs
Medals for just showing up.
MP3 Players? (I enjoy hearing my surroundings)
Treadmills
Moderation
Ice cream (My personal demon)
Red Lights/ “Don’t Walk” signs. Or anything that makes you stop in mid-run.
Late nights at the office.

[Cheryl]

I know what you mean. I agree that ones own thoughts can be the enemy. I suffer from shin splints on occasion and sometimes you think you will never run pain free again. It is really frustrating and you don't want to stop training for fear of loosing something as you said. So, then you begin running in a pool trying to do something to not loose everything. When you start back to regular training it is slow and tough having to build back up again.
Heck this week training has been tough. I am not injured but my legs feel like lead and they are tight, and it seems any mileage I do is a struggle. That just freaks me out!!! So after a week of this I am now all nervous that I will have a tough run again today. I have a 12 miler planned on Sat. and I am worrying about that one too! I too love running and I hate when I get like this!!! So, yes, my thoughts can be my enemy!

[p3z]

agree with you completely. since my first injury ever, ive had a crazy fear i cant shake. ive resumed training and though my body responds, im deathly afraid of signing up for that first race. my confidence got destroyed after a few weeks on crutches.
keep running, and good luck!

[Nota Jogger]

-That Penguin Guy
-Galloway (It is annoying running with the walk jog walk jog folks)
Organized Runs and Runs for Causes
Its great to support something you believe in but how many more can there be.
- Can't we just run to run
- Maybe there should be a Run event to save running - all the proceeds could go to get kids off the web, off the game boy or x-box, and out running around the yard and the park.

[AZMojo]

I can't believe nobody mentioned one of the top enemies of running...Internet Forums:)

How much time does everybody spend online that could be put to a more productive use?

I guess it's time to get off my ass and hit the street.

[Brandon Hough]

Jeff Galloway is most definitely the biggest threat to running.

Patented Run Walk Method my ass.

[Heather!]

amen to that

[Cheryl]

I have to say I disagree wholeheartedly about the negative attitude toward Jeff Galloway. I have heard these comments before and I guess I see it as anything that gets people running is great!! I didn't start running until my early 40's. Honestly, I didn't even think I could ever run a half let alone a full marathon. I read a few of Jeff's books and they helped me get going. Yes, I ran and walked until I built up my endurance. The walking isn't necessary now but if I feel a desire to take a short walk break on a long run I do.I still don't have the running and fueling thing down! I can't tell you how many energy beans have been spilled!! To date I have completed 3 full marathons, am about to run the San Francisco Marathon on Sunday, the Portland Marathon in Oct., and my first Ultra in Dec. along with 9 or so half marathons. I also could never call anyone an enemy of running who has spent his life doing just that..running....In high school, college, the olympics...it just doesn't seem right.

[Brandon Hough]

I congratulate you first of all, i'm a marathoner and love the distance. PR - 2:55:12 at Boston this year and it was the time of my life, so I know you love the sport because running a marathon takes balls.

But...

this is called saverun.org.
this is also called the running preservation society

Jeff Galloway will always be the brunt of many running jokes because he is a sellout to his own sport. My father completely agrees, and my father is no shab, 14:40 5k runner. It's well known that Jeff Galloway saw that the sport was taking a turn to walkers and joggers and he wanted to profit on this.

He's a sell out.
The Run-Walk-Method will always be funny.
He's an enemy of running.

[Adam]

Agree with Galloway being a sell out. He bugs the hell out of me. I saw a speech he gave one time telling people how they should take their time on the marathon course to get the most of their dollar. All I could think was: "How about running your heart out and crying at the end of the most challenging milestone in your life?"

Running and walking is only for the extremely unfit that need to do it. anyone that has the physical capability of jogging the entire work out/race should do so because there isn't a runner out there who isn't hurting just as bad as you.

[Brandon Hough]

My dad says this as to why he is a sellout

"He sales a method that is nothing like the one that took him to the olympics"

Meaning, the patented run walk method would never make anyone, a tenth as good as galloway himself.

[Brandon Hough]

Saw a sign in sears today by the Reebok shoes...

"Why hit the wall? It hurts. Run Easy"

I almost vomited and died on the spot, I was revived by the site of a pair of asics. ; ]

[Pablo]

"Running and walking is only for the extremely unfit that need to do it"

I might have to beg to differ on this particular point. Most ultrarunners do some amount of walking/hiking during ultramarathons but they are far from being "extremely unfit". It would be quite the contrary in their case.