Comments on: Again to Carthage by John L. Parker, Jr. http://www.valites.net/2007/12/24/again-to-carthage-by-john-l-parker-jr/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:48:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: admin http://www.valites.net/2007/12/24/again-to-carthage-by-john-l-parker-jr/comment-page-1/#comment-21 admin Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:17:27 +0000 http://www.valites.net/2007/12/24/again-to-carthage-by-john-l-parker-jr/#comment-21 The downfall to distance running is the time it consumes. Not only does it require hours a day when one is actually doing the running, but it can force one to not participate in other physical activities (namely soccer) for fear of injury and tossing away all that training. A typical soccer match isn't dependent on the last months worth of soccer. I'm not a world class soccer player - while a world class one might forgo other physical activities during a season, there's no non-serious place in distance running. Parked addresses this in the book as well where Cassidy has to sit out from volleyball games at family picnics. The downfall to distance running is the time it consumes. Not only does it require hours a day when one is actually doing the running, but it can force one to not participate in other physical activities (namely soccer) for fear of injury and tossing away all that training. A typical soccer match isn’t dependent on the last months worth of soccer. I’m not a world class soccer player - while a world class one might forgo other physical activities during a season, there’s no non-serious place in distance running.

Parked addresses this in the book as well where Cassidy has to sit out from volleyball games at family picnics.

]]> By: Greg http://www.valites.net/2007/12/24/again-to-carthage-by-john-l-parker-jr/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Greg Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:47:26 +0000 http://www.valites.net/2007/12/24/again-to-carthage-by-john-l-parker-jr/#comment-19 <blockquote> I was shocked to discover the trials in the book were run in Buffalo, NY and followed the same route as the I ran at the end of October for the Niagara Falls International Marathon. </blockquote> I could be mistaken but I think that there were <i>actual</i> trials held along that course in the 80s or 90s. <blockquote> They push themselves through the pain of long runs and then are rewarded with only the sense of accomplishment afterwards. </blockquote> For me there is no greater satisfaction than the feeling of accomplishment. I've always felt like I was slightly manic/depressive. Not enough to be diagnosed but I have some pretty hefty mood swings. Ah, who am I kidding, I'm probably just like everyone else except that I'm a crazy distance runner! <blockquote> It’s great to have something to look forward to, but a little depressing to think of all the other things I could have been doing. </blockquote> I don't find it depressing at all. Why should one enjoyable activity like running be shunned while another, like soccer, be praised? Both have their merits and what is most important is that you enjoy what you are doing while you are doing it (and after). Seriously though, why get down on the time you have spent running?

I was shocked to discover the trials in the book were run in Buffalo, NY and followed the same route as the I ran at the end of October for the Niagara Falls International Marathon.

I could be mistaken but I think that there were actual trials held along that course in the 80s or 90s.

They push themselves through the pain of long runs and then are rewarded with only the sense of accomplishment afterwards.

For me there is no greater satisfaction than the feeling of accomplishment. I’ve always felt like I was slightly manic/depressive. Not enough to be diagnosed but I have some pretty hefty mood swings. Ah, who am I kidding, I’m probably just like everyone else except that I’m a crazy distance runner!

It’s great to have something to look forward to, but a little depressing to think of all the other things I could have been doing.

I don’t find it depressing at all. Why should one enjoyable activity like running be shunned while another, like soccer, be praised? Both have their merits and what is most important is that you enjoy what you are doing while you are doing it (and after). Seriously though, why get down on the time you have spent running?

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