This post makes no effort to explain why running is supposed to be the center of a human being’s mental universe. People who happen to love running seem unable to understand that it’s not the same for everyone. You don’t see this kind of oblivious nonsense from someone who likes powerlifting or pastel drawing or making sushi.
But you do. You see this with essentially every type of exercise modality.
* Powerlifters say cardio is of the devil and anybody who does it is actively losing all muscle in their body.
* CrossFitters will leap at every opportunity to tell you how amazing it is - or at least that was the case a decade ago.
* Brazilian Jiu Jitsu people are the new CrossFit.
* Calisthenics people regularly act as if you can't do 20 strict ring muscle ups you really don't belong in the gym.
* Bicyclists will say runners are shit because they are destroying their legs one step at a time.
* Rowers will scoff at bicyclists because they have chicken arms.
* Runners will laugh at everyone because they are the only discipline that you can truly do anywhere without equipment.
Idk. The list goes on and on. Every athlete is like this. It's just a tribal mentality thing. We see it on HN with programming languages too.
> Can you point out some of the flaws with your argument?
I think the only argument against what I said that is reasonable, but also applies to the person I responded to, would be that it is an over-generalization and not the case for the overwhelming majority of people who perform some activity.
> I have found that running every day, consistently, vastly improves my mental and physical well-being.
> Every minute you run is your minute, and no one else's. And it feels good to allocate time to yourself every day.
I do not find this article's tone obnoxious, but I do know people like that who run. See also, powerlifters. See also, artists. I don't know any obnoxious itamae but I don't know any itamae. I know home cooks who look down on people who eat out a lot. Does that count?
As far as I can tell they are not self-important, they just run. I also run, and compared to the rest of the family even more under the radar: I do no contests ever, I run alone, I run at night. If I ever speak to someone about it, it is because they asked or because it was the topic of the conversation before I entered it. Running is my thing that I do for myself, the rest doesn't give me anything. It is a good habit, a free time and helps me to release stress (which is mostly mental in my job).
So maybe your question could be rephrased: "Why are the posts I read from people who post online about running so obnoxiously self-important about it?"
As I don't believe runners are any more annoying than e.g. ice skaters I could think of one rhing. Like with noises the things we find annoying might also have to do with ourselves. A friend of mine is constantly complaining about how "obnoxiously self-important" vegans are. He loves meat, but as a somewhat rational person he knows he is wrong. When I ask him where those vegans are and what they do he can't point to any specific thing. You could sit a vegan on the same table as him and even if the vegan says nothing and minds their own business he would feel they are "self-important" — all while he would be the guy to start speaking about it.
I am not implying that a similar mechanism is at play in your case at all, I don't know you. But it is something to be aware of. If you e.g. are someone who feels they should run more, but never get around to it for one reason or another, that might color your perception of people who do write about it.
It's probably better to generalize to have some level of daily activity that works for you. But then it's kind of boring, and everyone already knows this.
That exactly the point of the article. Sports, even if it's just a mile run everyday, do probably more for you than just sitting around and finding excuses to do nothing. Because it's easier and people often tend to sit on their comfort zones.
Also, to me, that's what lifechanging about daily sporting activities. Is NOT only getting fitter, thiner, etc. It's the mental empowerement that it provides you.
You get the same comment about vegans, cross-fitters, runners, skiers, sailors, sourdough bakers, etc etc etc. anytime someone has a hobby they are passionate about doesn’t mean they are obnoxiously self-important. They are happy and want others to find the same happiness!
Like seriously - try answering your own question. Why would people behave that way?
It also only seems to work in a very natural environment, indoors, manicured walking tracks or city streets don't have the same impact, but it can be simulated with monitors / VR.
So perhaps VR nature walking on a treadmill would be a panacea for many mental issues brought on by modern stress.
Running just pops up like this because it is cheap, can be done anywhere, anytime, don't need a lot of skill training. It's basically the common denominator. Simple. Just get up and do something sport.