Running.... sometimes I don't get it.

[BBR]

My wife is a runner. In fact, we will be in Vegas this weekend for the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. I am not a runner. I go along to identify and haul the bodies back.

Worked my butt off Saturday (along with the 40 degree weather and 55mph wind gusts) and Sunday building a 16' gate in my back fence so I can park my trailer in there and eventually build a shop there.

She went running Sunday while I was digging up the big flowerbed that was obstructing my intended gate path. I moved 7 huge wheel barrow loads of dirt (FAR more than I was expecting to have to move) in about the time it took her to run 11 miles.

Now, I have something to show for my effort and sore muscles/joints.

She just has sore muscles and joints.

I think people that want to exercise, really just need to pick up a shovel and do some manual labor. At least later when you are sitting on the couch exhausted, you have accomplished something more than just going from point A to point B and back.

And no, I did not tell her this. I may drive a Ford but 'm not stupid.

[moparmaniac07]

I agree. My sisters and aunt are 'runners', or at least try to be. Before I went away to college I worked on my grandfather's farm every day. Never did any running, but could still beat every one of them in a race, whether it was 50 yards or 5 miles. It was a good feeling being sore and having accomplished something.

[70chevyC-10]

Have her help you dig fence post holes for your new gate James - now there's a workout. The original home gym -

[Dan Barlow]

Seems that real work doesn't burn off fat around the gut though! Does build up muscles though.

[JOES66FURY]

I like to run and work out...cant anymore due to my back...but it really clears your head...something manual labor really cant do (for me anyway) when youre working your working for a cause, when youre working out, its just for you..nothing else...no stress, no worry...just you.

[STINEY]

We must, we must, we must increase our.......

Oh, wait a minute, I must be thinking of something else. I don't get running either. They are addicted to some weird rush of endorphines that are released from the excercise of running.

Guess those endorphines don't release from regular work?

[Bob Holmes]

Back in my younger days, before the two blown knees, bad back, screwed up rotator cuffs, etc, I did tri-athalons. There is a point in any good run when everything is just in sync, when you're "in the zone." Its almost euphoric. There is no doubt in my mind that when you're there, the brain is getting a dose of something really good. The second knee surgery ended that part of my life, and it was really tough to lose that physical high.

I didn't experience it again until I started roadracing. Very close to the same thing, huge focus and concentration, lots of adrenaline.

We live on a horse farm, so I have plenty of opportunites to feel the "work satisfaction." Its a different deal, but no less satisying.

[BBR]

Maybe it's just because my time away from the office is typically all planned out and taking 3 hours to go run around, seems like a waste.

I need to invent a wind generator that mounts on a runner's head, so they can at least charge my cordless drill batteries as they run.

[JOES66FURY]

There is a point in any good run when everything is just in sync, when you're "in the zone." Its almost euphoric. There is no doubt in my mind that when you're there, the brain is getting a dose of something really good. .

Bingo!

Same goes for weight lifting.

[Brian Lohnes]

So since I have been out of work, I have been getting up every morning on the same schedule and running, mainly to work on losing weight and getting my fat ass back into shape. It had been years since I did anything other than jog to the end of my driveway for the mail so I started off with a mile and I'm now doing three miles a morning. I've lost about six lbs since I started running (and not eating like an idiot).

My brain screams at me every morning, "DON'T DO IT!!" but I do and I am thankful every day when I gasp my way back into the house. I admire people like your wife than can jam out 11 miles at a time. I know I look at running a different way than she does because for me it is torture. HA! I would say that us gearheads get the same brain chemical release when we fire a freshly built motor, win a round at the strip, etc.

Brian

[Stich496]

running is something I hated, flat feet and tight ligaments never helped/
but I work the boston marathon,, and there has to be a high they get, to put their bodies through that much pain...
only time I ran was if party'n in woods and officers showed up..
emanual labor doesn't do the same thing..
I've found that runners have healthy hearts and lungs, but there hips down are junk in short order..

[Bob Holmes]

Bingo!

Same goes for weight lifting.

Absolutely!!

Arnold talked about the "pump." So true.

[TheSilverBuick]

I like running, but only until I get bored. Which is about 20 minutes and 3 miles. Occassionally I run a 5 mile'r. But it is a huge time vacuum that I could be doing something else, so I prefer to go to the gym after the sun sets, when all I'd be doing is sitting on my couch. If the sun is up, I have better things to do then run =P

[Barry Donovan]

the last I ran was just after a foot operation to remove a plate and 8 screws..6 years ago. like I had a cyst hanging on to that anesthesia stuff.. everytime something let go, I got dizzy.

I was renting right next to where the bangor fair would be, ran around feeling every open hole. Alot of pain. My only memory is military for running..I yelled the cadence. I was sad to realize what is never coming back. looking down at my scrawny twig legs, as if a parapalegic lucky to be standing at all.

my place here would kill me with tetroxide chains from another universe.. but I see some running. Why I need so much air..hard telling.

there is this crazy blond with the spandex showing off her stuff occasionally..right on my grotesque street. it is a paradox. I want to ask her if she knows what she is breathing...



weirdos run. I stand my ground.

[Gary 351C]

My wife runs half-marathons and she asked me years ago if I'd like to try one. I told her the only way I could run 13 miles is if someone was chasing me with a knife.