06.14.08
anachronism in the pool
Yesterday I decided to swim some laps in our club pool while my six year-old was happily swim teaming two lanes over. Halfway through laboring to reach my “36 lengths” goal, a broad-shouldered fella (something New Jersey-like made him a “fella” not a fellow or a gentleman or a guy) asked to share my lane. He looked like someone who could have made it all the way down the lane in three butterfly strokes, but in actuality he lumbered (can a swimmer lumber?). He swam lumberingly? Anyway, he was all over the lane and I had to hug the rope to dodge his sideways scissor-kick. Thinking quickly (ahhh, a flutter kick will help!), I asked him if he’d like a kick board as I was going to the lifeguard shack to get one for myself. “Sure, that’d be great,” he smiled. Well, now we were friends. Lap lane friends are a bit like airplane buddies. Of course I found out he was a runner. “Just finished a marathon last month,” he said. Is there anyone left who doesn’t run marathons? “What was your time?” 3:50. [I didn't share any of my stats. One marathon. 10 years ago. 2:54 Took a 5-minute nap at mile 25]. I just said, “What’s a big guy like you running marathons for?”
“I have to. It’s in my blood.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Ever heard of George Sheehan?”
“Sure. Why?”
“Well, he’s my grand father.”
“Get out! Seriously? Wow, you’re running royalty.”
“Yep. So you can see why I have to run.”
“Have you read his book, Running and Being?”
“No. Can’t say that I have”
And here is where I get the to whole point of this post. How can you be George Sheehan’s grandson and never read his book? How can you “run marathons” and not know of Running and Being? How can I be this old? How can I be this out-of-date? Perhaps Sheehan’s chapter on “suffering” doesn’t resonate with the modern running soul. Maybe if Sheehan had a chapter on the Garmin watch or on a fuel belt or on how to eat right for triathlons his grandson would read his book.
I did a few out-and-backs on my kickboard but I didn’t have the heart to make it to 36 lengths.
Oh, woe is ancient me!
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Marc said,
June 15, 2008 at 12:48 am
What an odd story! In some ways, it is surprising the grandson has not read the book. But I don’t quite think that this has to do with age as much as it has to do with the state of running itself and “running advice” in the US today. I think some younger competitive runners (perhaps even younger than I) have read it.
What do I mean when I say this has to do with the state of running and running advice? In short, we are bombarded with newspaper articles, running magazines, glamor shots of Rave Runs, 10-week training plans, guidelines for proper exercise nutrition, etc. So why would the casual or even semi-serious runner read Running and Being? It’s too esoteric; a 3:50 marathoner cannot relate to what’s in that book. Can he/she? I’m not claiming that being on your feet for nearly four hours does not entail suffering and great triumph, but I don’t think that’s the type of pain and achievement that Sheehan writes about.
Actually, it turns out that I don’t really like books about running much either. I have read Running and Being (twice actually, the most recent time was just this past year) and a few other books, but I would much rather just experience it all for myself, in my own way.
The funniest part of this is that the guy feels he has to run. I do too, but it does not seem to be the same at all.
Ewen said,
June 15, 2008 at 4:21 am
Me, me! I don’t run marathons. You mean you found it so boring you fell asleep after 25 miles?
And a chapter on “how to run ultras and develop rock-hard abs on 3 sessions per week”.
Good post. Keep enjoying your anachronistic swimming
Joan said,
June 15, 2008 at 11:20 am
I like your style, Ewen!
Are you local?
Come out to the track so I can meet you in person.
signed,
a fan
Ewen said,
June 21, 2008 at 6:17 am
Joan! I am the fan.
180 degrees away from being a local.
One day I’ll get back to that place,
Where I really want to go,
and come out to the track.