RUNNING ON 'LONELY' (Geert Poisquet - Luna)

In a recent article in De Standaard about the NY Marathon I read that long distance running in our country, and further afield as well, is making waves. And yes, I admit, yours truly is part of this growing crowd of people who clock up their miles on a very regular basis. As a teenager I was a member of a track and field club and it cannot be denied that I am still very much passionate about this fantastic sport. The joints are perhaps a little bit rusty here and there, but still, I put on my running shoes a few times a week for a healthy run in the Heverlee woods. Come rain or sunshine. But this as a side note. In the news piece the journalist on duty also mentioned the interesting fact that more and more people go about their long distance running in group. Running in  a pack so to speak, is the ‘in’ thing. Most likely that it has its advantages. There is peer pressure of course. When you don’t feel to go out, well, with the others waiting for you, you will go anyway.  You don’t want to let your side down and certainly not wish to come over as a loser yourself. Moreover, running in a group might have a stimulating effect on your performance. Togetherness makes things go easier, I hear you think. And besides, there might even be more advantages, come to think of it. But I have to say, as with many trends that come and go, I don’t buy into it. Put in stronger language, I positively hate long distance running in group! Apart from the fact that running is good for your health, I run to get some mental peace of mind. I sincerely enjoy the solitude of the experience. Me, myself and I! Keeping a good pace, the silence of the woodlands, a fawn perhaps that is here and then gone in a flash, whistling birds, the sound of the wind … marvelous! A feeling of genuine peace that is shattered by, you guessed, hordes of long distance runners. They are announced from afar, loudly talking about work or other stuff, interspersed with a laugh salvo. But so noisy, always so terribly noisy. They think it is great but I know why I opt for a solo performance. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against these people – only it’s not my thing. Exactly the same with the iPod. Been there, done that, but thanks, no. I want silence and I want to be alone with myself, my thoughts and my breathing. I sign irrevocably for the loneliness of the long distance runner: no friends, no small talk, no laughs and above all, no fear of being unable to keep up with the pace.

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