Running For Our Lives
If there is anything that can reliably be said about the human species it is that we want, more than anything else, to survive.
Part of ‘survival’, naturally, is reproduction; passing on our genes through procreation as well as other ‘creations’ that give at least the hope, or potential, of surviving long after our physical body passes.
In this sense, sex and our other (pro)creative pursuits are arguably how we most enjoy to ‘use’ our excess energy once our basic physical means of survival is secured.
Maslow’s Hierarchy famously, in essence, tells a similar story: take care of your basic needs, foster meaningful relationships, undertake meaningful and creative tasks, and then help others’ to do the same. The whole thing is about, first, surviving and, later (if all goes well), striving to become immortal!
Religious and Cultural beliefs aside, at the basic level it’s all very selfish.
We admire animals because they are more obvious, and even ‘pure’, in their selfishness. They don’t appear to think too much about it all. Yet we forget that we too are ‘animals’; equally as simple and selfish in our own ways.
It could well be that running is the best (and in some ways the only) means of ensuring ones survival.
Thousands of years ago it was absolutely necessary to walk and run long distances regularly in order to hunt, find food, escape from potential predators or enemy tribes, and move to different geographical areas depending on the changing climates and seasons throughout the year.
In the modern Western world, we now enjoy endless ‘shortcuts’ and technologies that alter the game of survival substantially.
Indeed, why even leave the house, let alone run for hours and tire oneself out, when one can earn money safely from ones laptop and get food delivered straight to the front door.
We know that hunter gatherer tribes (and likewise cave men) would also absolutely rest, feast up and even dance around the fire at every opportunity they found.
They too would not waste effort and calories unnecessarily, so why should we?
If there is an answer to this riddle that plagues not only philosophical runners like myself, but modern health professionals, coaches, scientists, nutritionists, politicians, teachers and parents also across the world, then it lies in the essential stories that we believe in and, every day, continue to tell ourselves.
Yuval Noah Hariri (in his recent bestseller, ‘Sapiens’) reminds us of the dangers inherent in forgetting the very ideas that we as individuals and a society have chosen.
The invention of money, of Nations, of companies, of religions, of sports clubs, of morals and of laws are just as much ideas as the simple To Do List I wrote myself this morning.
So by choosing to surf the internet, to start a business or to order a take away, one is choosing to live inside that reality. Such choices both strengthen and support that reality merely by engaging with it, therefore submitting oneself to the various risks, investments and outcomes possible within it.
Eventually, as is the unfortunate reality for many people in today’s world, if not careful we find ourselves doing jobs we don’t like, to earn money we don’t need, in order to buy things we don’t want.
At this point, one’s ability to run, and one’s awareness of the potential benefits of at least being able to run if needed becomes crucial; not only as a cheaper, more sustainable means of transportation or potential ‘better job’ if one is gifted enough at it, but also as a reliable strategy for self-sustenance in case (as often happens, in one form or another) that perfect reality we chose for collapses due to external forces beyond our control.
One’s company goes bankrupt, a deadly virus spreads across the country, the Earth’s oil runs dry, one’s house burns down or one’s Nation is invaded by another, etc etc...
Actually, at the basic level, we are always alone. Though it’s not a comfortable or popular idea, it is a truthful one nonetheless.
It is possible to survive, and even thrive, being dependent upon other people, communities, social groups, religions or ideas. Undoubtedly, some of our most wonderful and valuable experiences and lessons are derived from us mutually relying upon others, or being an integral part of a company, family or club.
That being said, Running, more than anything else, celebrates those most sacred and unique parts of ourselves, and reminds us that Life – when removed from the multitude of stories we attach to it – is simply a wild and vital fight for survival.
Life today, in this respect, is no different from how it was thousands or even millions of years ago.
Only the strongest, in the end, will survive; and when Life is at its harshest, or the world takes an unexpected turn, I deeply suspect that it’s the runners amongst us that will have the greatest chance to survive, thrive and feel alive!
Did you enjoy this blog? If so, click here to support The Running Monk…
