The Real Purpose of Running...

Bill Bowerman, the American track and field coach AND Co-founder of Nike, Inc. once said,

"The real purpose of running isn't to win a race.  

It's to test the limits of the human heart."

Coach Bowerman spent 24 years as the head track and field coach for the University of Oregon.  During his tenure, he trained 31 Olympic athletes and won every season but one! One of his more well known student athletes was the one and only Steve Prefontaine! The inspirational film, 'Without Limits', documents their story. 

While serving as coach, Bill Bowerman was introduced to jogging as a fitness routine for the average person while vacationing in New Zealand and ended up writing the best selling book, "Jogging."  This book is credited for launching the jogging craze in the United States.

In the 60's, a professional relationship was formed with Phil Knight. This partnership would later become what we know today as Nike, Inc. Coach Bowerman was responsible for designing running shoes that were as light as possible. Although I could not find a proper citation, an often mentioned story has it that he ruined his wife's waffle iron, trying to created a rubber grid that created good traction.

Bill Bowman spent the majority of his life immersed in the running community. He is definitely considered one of the main pioneers of running for competition and leisure. He not only had his own journey, but was integral to the shaping and inspiring the journey of countless others.

Every runner's journey is unique. As a runner who will probably never win a race, I can definitely concur with his quote that running isn't to win a race. But, I am curious, are you a runner who runs to win the race as your primary motivation? Is it an element of your journey, but other elements take priority? Is it even a factor?

What are the limits of your human heart that you test when you run?