Within the running culture, there are subgroups. Sometimes, they can be very different. Some runners are there only to have fun. They aren't serious, but they still love running. They will forgo challenges in order to joke around, goof off, and have a good time. On the other hand, there are the serious runners. They always prioritze training, improvement, and especially racing over everything else. They are very different from the fun-lovers- instead of fun, they love challenge. They love the feeling of going faster than ever before. Both groups are still runners, but their philosophies are totally opposite.
Despite the obvious differences on the surface, runners and artists are very similar and in fact, many people are both. Runners strive to perfect their race, to turn it into a work of art, just as an artist completes a painting. Both cultures take great joy and live by their activities, trying to get better at them while still taking the time to live in the present and be happy with their current state.
A more obvious similarity is that of runners and the larger culture of endurance athletes such as bikers, skiiers, and walkers. All endurance athletes enjoy the outdoors as a means to rejuvenate and break the monotony of life. We are about not being "normal", and liking it. We don't covet comfort and apathy as much of society does, instead we need movement, exertion, and seeing how far you can go before you stop.
However, we are at odds with other types of athletes, those that play games. They are about skill and technique; we are about stamina and willpower. They are about winning and dominance, we are about self-improvement. They are all about teamwork, we can and will go solo to reach our goals. Oftentimes, both cultures look down on the other, but they are both fun and enjoyable to the right people. Another large difference is the equality and openness of running. In our sport, we have boys, girls, men, women, elders, immigrants, nerds, blacks, whites, asians, and everything in between. We aren't like football, where you have to be a boy, or hockey, where you have to be white. We don't care about outwards appearance, only what is on the inside. Anyone can be, and is, a runner. Because of that, our sport is more colorful, diverse, and interesting.
A more obvious similarity is that of runners and the larger culture of endurance athletes such as bikers, skiiers, and walkers. All endurance athletes enjoy the outdoors as a means to rejuvenate and break the monotony of life. We are about not being "normal", and liking it. We don't covet comfort and apathy as much of society does, instead we need movement, exertion, and seeing how far you can go before you stop.
However, we are at odds with other types of athletes, those that play games. They are about skill and technique; we are about stamina and willpower. They are about winning and dominance, we are about self-improvement. They are all about teamwork, we can and will go solo to reach our goals. Oftentimes, both cultures look down on the other, but they are both fun and enjoyable to the right people. Another large difference is the equality and openness of running. In our sport, we have boys, girls, men, women, elders, immigrants, nerds, blacks, whites, asians, and everything in between. We aren't like football, where you have to be a boy, or hockey, where you have to be white. We don't care about outwards appearance, only what is on the inside. Anyone can be, and is, a runner. Because of that, our sport is more colorful, diverse, and interesting.
Running for equality
Photo by Adam Lau. Source: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local/running-for-equality-race-against-racism-draws-hundreds-ep-883216171-353666281.html