This photo is making the rounds today, quite deservingly evoking gratitude, kudos and blessings from around the web. These runners came to New York City from all over the world to run its streets, but will leave it having done something even better. They helped the city get back on its feet.
That so many marathoners headed to Staten Island to help the relief effort didn’t surprise me at all. Have you met a runner? I dare you to find one – someone who loves running, and who is also mean, narrow-minded, annoying, or in any other way unpleasant to be around. It’s as likely as procuring an egg if no chicken existed. Or vice versa.
To be a runner, you have to persistent and able to give more of yourself than you thought you had. Especially after mile 20.
Runners are healthy and strong, and a strong body means a strong mind. Runners are smart.
Runners are persistent, often downright stubborn.
Runners set goals and complete them, then set new and tougher ones.
Runners are giving to others. Just think of the millions of dollars collected for charity through running.
Runners are happy. How can you not be, when you’re making all those endorphins on a daily basis?
How runners helped Staten Island today, via Buzzfeed. Look through all the photos without tearing up: it’s a dare.
Today’s run:
Ran a “10k” for New York City today. Would have gone for 26.2 if I could, but that would be a bit premature (training for LA Marathon officially begins next week!) Still, an “Empire State of Mind” kind of run.
Gorgeous post–yes, the runners who went to Staten Island were indeed tremendous. It was so touching to read about all these incredible people who trained so hard for their race instead going to do whatever they could to help. Runners are special people.
I was at Central Park, perhaps a bit more selfish than the Staten Island runners, but the even certainly brought the politic of running to the forefront. I blog philosophic about it here: http://markmatthewsauthor.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-new-york-city-marathon-year-without.html
I think it’s so heartening what the runners did for Staten Island yesterday! That said, over the years I’ve also met some pretty self-involved runners who lack all kinds of perspective, and I’m not just referring to what happened with the NYCM. I say that from years of running and competing, for the NYRR and beyond. Not all runners are selfless. Not all runners are selfish. It’s a case by case, person by person thing–just like in the “regular” world. 😉
You’re right, of course – it’s a big world with lots of runners! 😉 And not to generalize too much, but having lived and raced in NYC and the SF Bay Area, runners in NYC did seem to be more competitive – there was more elbowing at starting lines or while racing, and the all-too-common “run by another runner in Central Park, things turn into a race” situation.
But in general, runners are positive, energetic people (unless they’re injured and can’t run!) and a pleasure to be around.