By Emilia Benton
As a frequent runner myself, my peers often ask me what compels me to get up long before I have class to go for my daily six-mile run. “Running and Philosophy: A Marathon for the Mind,” a compilation of short stories gathered by Michael W. Austin, a philosophy professor, attempts to clarify some answers to these questions.
According to Austin, running is not merely a physical activity, but also a reflective mental exercise that provides time to attack life’s complex questions. Austin notes that blending two different topics, running and philosophy, can help us achieve a common goal and highlights the words of Enlightenment philosopher John Locke: “A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.”
This statement can easily be perceived as true, as running produces a release of endorphins proven to improve one’s overall mood.
Before moving on to the stories of various philosophy professors, along with a few by runners, Austin clearly states that he is searching for the answers to the following questions:
“What is the relationship between success in running and success in life?”
“What can we learn from pain?”
“Is running a religion?”
“How does running fit into the pursuit of a meaningful life?”
“What is the connection between running, friendship, and happiness?”
Austin’s first chapter, titled “Long Distance Running and the Will to Power,” written by Raymond Angelo Belliotti, descriptively details what goes into training for a marathon: “Often, runners must overcome their own inclination to laziness-part of what Nietzsche called the ‘dwarf’ theory-to ensure training is completed.” As someone whose long-term goal is to complete a marathon, I agree that the training part is what I find most daunting. Belliotti ends his essay with disappointment in himself for missing out on qualifying for the Boston Marathon by nine seconds but simultaneously with confidence for reaching his Boston time goal at his next race.
Another key essay in Austin’s book is that of J. Jeremy Wisnewski, titled “The Phenomenology of Becoming a Runner.” One of the most interesting parts of this essay is the description of the mental “bargaining” runners put themselves through: “I had decided to run for 20 minutes, but by the time I reached the beginning of my cul-de-sac, a mere three minutes had passed, and I was running out of steam… ‘Perhaps today I will only go 10 minutes,’… ‘I’ll run more tomorrow,’ and so on, as I reminded myself to keep moving.”
This is definitely familiar to me, as I often argue with myself about doing another mile when I’ve lost track of distance or time in the middle of one of my runs.
A peculiar concept is brought up by Jeffrey P. Fry in his essay, “Running Religiously.” Fry attempts to explain why running is often characterized as “suffering” and how physical pain can equal mental pleasure. This analogy likely won’t bring about new runners with its negative connotation. This essay goes well with another one that follows, “What Motivates an Early Morning Runner?” by Kevin Kinghorn, who describes running first thing in the morning as “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Overall, Austin’s anthology raises many interesting points for the spectators who have never given running a try. Although various vivid details describe the physical benefits that come with regular running, this collection often falls short with regard to originality, as the surplus of philosophical explanations tend to become repetitive.
(thomashawk.com)