how important is running to you?

[Heather!]

lets say you knew that you could qualify for and win the olympic marathon, but you also knew that you would injur yourself and never be able to run again... would you do it?

or, if you had to choose between winning the lottery and never running again, or being kinda broke but able to run the rest of your life, which would you go for?

i'm just curious...

[Andrew Chandler]

Those are some good questions. I'd have to say that I wouldn't do it if I thought I would win the olympics.
1) I'm not only a runner, but I'm an archer and I would love to qualify in that sport.
2) Its not worth a lifetime of regret (not being able to run) for two weeks of glory being an olympian. I mean, do we really remember these guys and gals after the marathon? Not much... except as a footnote.
3) I don't know why, but boston is actually more noble a goal to me than an olympic marathon. Its held every year and its something for the "demos" the people. I've heard of boston as the "people's Olympics."

I'd run instead of win.
1) I'm not making a ton of money as it is, but I'm happy.
2) I'd rather be a rich man (in terms of experience) than have a wealthy man's bank account.

[Heather!]

an archer? that's awesome!

[cody daneille]

no question. balls out baby.

my friend kelsey qualified for olympics in archery. ive never done it but she practices around 6-8 hours a day. nuts!

[Andrew Chandler]

Hey hey hey... This is a running forum, not an archery forum. LOL. Sadly, I'm a member of that too. But yeah, marathon running is one of those interesting aspects of sports, generally you don't think of the olympics when it first comes to mind.

OK, and one thing about the Olympics... normally, that marathon is contested at 80 degrees. Who wants to run a marathon when its in the 80's? Geez... way too hot.

[Maxwell]

I would much rather be kinda broke and running the rest of my life......also I would rather not win the olympics with that big of a risk. However, if you weren't able to run ever again afterwards because of some kind of injury it would make you a more famous olympian.

[Andrew Chandler]

Are you refering to Abebe Bikale?

[bryan]

Wheelchair racers are bad ass...but I don't want to be one. I would if I had to but not if I had the choice.

And the lottery thing....could I hit it big on a scratch off and still run? if not then my answer is, I don't have the money now so i wouldn't miss it but i miss running if I miss even one day.

[Shawn]

I would have to say no to the Olympic marathon I would rather still be able to run, and I would have to be kinda broke like im already am. I live to run.

[Pablo]

Lets look at this from a slightly different perspective: suppose you have to choose between running and some other high risk activity (ok, so maybe this is personal experience)?

i rock climb, which is an extremely high risk activity where you can very easily permanently disable yourself. Two and a half months ago, i broke both my ankles, the right especially badly and by the time it's all said and done will not have been running for probably eight months or so (that's the estimate at the moment). Not being able to run is really hard but I wouldn't limit myself to only running because of what could potentially happen participating in other sports. I'd go for the marathon if the opportunity was there.

oh and i still intend on climbing too...once my feet work again.

[Dread Rooster]

Given the choice between happily running out my days and a shot at the olympics, I pass on the grand arena without a thought. I know how absurd a reference this might be, but an olympic snowboarder was on an episode of punk'd being harassed by fake cops. She kept trying to use being an olympian as a hail mary attempt at avoiding a ticket. If having an apex moment like that comes with the risk of forever resting on your laurels, I think most athletes would have rather cultivated their love of the sport than had their moment in the lime light.

As for the love over money component. I run plenty, and in spite of scraping by I am plenty happy right now. Why spoil a good thing?

[Parker]

Concur with the general sentiment here. No on the Olympics, and no on the lottery. I've done plenty fine without an Olympic qualification and without all that money, so I know I can handle living without those, but I don't know about not running.