Theyyyy’re Here
First things first, I’m hoping that everyone can send some good vibes our way, as CP client Danny O’Connor attempts to run his professional boxing record to 11-0 tonight at Twin Rivers Casino in Lincoln, RI. It looks like we have roughly 15 people from CP attending the fight tonight, so it should be a great time.
Secondly, it’s definitely that time of year again. While we were struck with record rainfall last weekend which has left many communities in or around the Boston area still flooded, the weather has been unseasonably warm the past few days, hitting upwards of 65-70 degrees all week. As such, there’s a direct correlation between the improvement in weather and how many people are out running.
And while the research community likes to use the term “correlation does not imply causation,” I’m pretty sure science has proven that there’s a direct link between the amount of runners I see out running, and the fact that I can’t stop my eyes from bleeding.
Now, this isn’t to chastise all runners. I mean, it’s hard to knock the fact that we only see the sun four days out of the year, and people want to take advantage of it. Likewise, it’s kind of hard to berate people for trying to be active, and doing what the enjoy doing. But I can’t help but watch some of these people and wonder to myself, “why?” I mean, I’ve seen people swimming in live volcanoes in less pain.
Maybe it’s just the nerd in me (or the fact that I spend the bulk of my day assessing movement, and can’t help myself), but if I had to put a number on it, I’d say that for every 20 runners I see “running” on the sidewalk, one has passable mechanics to the point where I’m like, “okay, I don’t suddenly have the urge to drive my car into a tree right now.”
Admittedly I’m a bit biased. I am a strength coach after all. The last time I ran more than two consecutive miles was when I lived back in New York – five years ago. As well, I’m pretty sure I haven’t programmed any long duration running for any of my clients since, never**. I get it, though. It’s stress relief. But I fail to see how someone is relieving any stress when, more often that not, they’re just recycling the same (and I’m stealing a concept from Mike Boyle here) run-get injured- go to physical therapy-feel better-go run again-get injured-go back to physical therapy scenario every year.
*Reads manual on how to increase blog traffic. Rule #1: do not, under any circumstances, piss off the endurance community*
Oops!
** Unless, of course, they’re an endurance athlete.
