How we have all been socialized! Every eye which now reads these words, every runner which keep a regular practice, every social habit, good or bad; we are all a product of our environment. In this truth there is no alternative, no other way of development - for every human is a unique design with highly impressionable social capacity. In all the people this world holds, different social and cultural groups, there are common social traits that do connect us all. There is a Designed, Universal Consciousness. The distance runner runs to celebrate these exact connections woven into the fabric of our social Identity. The holistic distance runner naturally reflects on the greater humanity when running, while someone running for mere fitness or social benefit runs with their ego in mind.
Most mature distance runners employ their running as a tool to broaden their capacities. Most Master distance runners employ running as a method of becoming more of a human being. Though the latter is seldom practiced for selfish reasons. You see, Holistic Distance Running carries a price with it far too costly for the novice... an effort to ardent. Distance running is primarily a "self" sacrificing practice. Yes, there are satisfactions and a sense of accomplishment, but they are not at all natural. The established distance runner is such a rarity because it removes a person from superficiality. The physiological demands of distance running are always very broad, and never a two the same. Distance running is indeed a social practice in and on every continent of the world... though in a post modern world it is a choice and not a life demand. It can be a "hobby" and not a matter of life or death.
