"I'm a Runner"

Ever wonder who those crazy people out running early in the morning or late at night in all forms of weather are? Well, we know who they are. They are us. Runners. As it turns out, we are in good company. Magazines like Runners World and Canadian Running highlight (in)famous runners each month. Here is a list of some of the notable people who call themselves "runners".

President Barack Obama. He doesn't just run the USA; he also runs miles. Obama is well-known for his fitness regime, which includes treadmill running several times per week. I wonder if Bo runs beside him on his own little doggy treadmill?

Former President Bill Clinton. That's right: Bubba runs. When he held office, Clinton apparently logged 3 milers on a regular basis. Maybe that's because it is a 3 mile round-trip from the White House to the local McDonald's. In any case, since his heart surgery, Bubba does appear to have moved from junk food to logging more miles than ever.

Former President George W. Bush. Not only is W a runner, he became a fast runner once he quit the beer and the tobacco. Bush comments, "Back then (when he started running in 1972), I was a man who was known to drink a beer or two. And over time, I'm convinced that running helped me quit drinking and smoking." Quitting the booze and cigarettes certainly paid off. Bush ran a 3:44 marathon in 1993. While in office, Bush usually ran six times per week, although it was apparently challenging to find time to log long runs. I may not have agreed with many (or most) of Bush's policies, but I do agree with his views on exercise and running. Bush told Runners World in 2002:

"I believe anyone can make the time. As a matter of fact, I don't believe it-I know it. If the President of the United States can make the time, anyone can. Exercise is so important that corporate America should help its employees make time. There should be flextime for families, and there should be flextime for exercise. A healthy work force is a more productive work force. We have got to do a better job of encouraging exercise in America."

Sarah Ferguson, Dutchess of York. Fergie runs. After being part of the Royal Family, perhaps she found it necessary to run to save her sanity. In any case, running certainly helped her trim down after her well-publicized weight gain. She reports running five to eight miles on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and an additional two or three miles on the weekend. Well done, M'Lady.

Sarah Palin. Hey, it's not just the Presidents that run. Contenders for Vice President also run. Palin reports that she has been running for over 35 years. She also comments that she grew very frustrated in the 2008 Presidential campaign because the McCain staff would not carve out time for her to go for a run. Hmmm....Obama's staff made sure that he could get his exercise, but McCain's staff wouldn't let Palin out for a run. Is exercise key for electoral victory?

Anthony Edwards. Goose/Dr. Mark Green/Anthony Edwards is a runner. In fact, many actors have identified themselves as runners over the years, including Jon Cryer, David James Elliott, Jennifer Beals, Emily Proctor, and Will Ferrell. Other actors/stars who have run marathons include Oprah, P. Diddy, and Katie Holmes. (We're not sure if these individuals are still running.) So do these stars suffer as much as the rest of us during long runs? Probably. But then again, they also have body guards to carry their water for them.

Lisa Ling. Ling, a broadcast journalist, is apparently a dedicated runner. I include her in this list for her quotable quote on running hills: "Run hills? Never. My quads are already big enough." Right on, sister!

Ron McClean. CBC's straight-man on Coach's Corner is a runner. He can skate. He can run. He can harass and control Don Cherry. Ron McClean should be Prime Minister.

It seems that the Go Girls are in good company where running is concerned. In fact, it appears that one must be a runner in order to qualify to become President of the United States. The real question is, why do we run? Oprah could do anything in the whole world and she once chose to run a marathon. Each of us is strapped for time and energy. Yet we get up early on Saturday mornings to run. In fact, I dare say that running is one of only two things that can get me up early on a Saturday morning. The other thing is a house fire. In the next blog post, I will report to you on why we run. For now, we can simply rest assured that we are not the only crazies who prefer to be out on the road rather than under the covers on cold, wintery Saturday mornings.