Purest Sport? My Ass...

Running.

Run.

Motion.

Moving forward. The sway of your arms back and forth; the gentle pound of your feet.

Breath. Breath. Breath.

Sweat.

That's all it is.

Can I make it any simpler? Absolutely not.

Can it be made more complicated. Yes. Watch and see...

Running

Put on a show.

Gadgets.

Gadgets and style.

Juggling. Running while juggling these wires and gizmos.

Must look good. Must look good. Do I look like a runner?

This is the most expensive outfit. I have to look like a runner...

Running is the simplest, most pure sport. Well, once upon a time, it was. The Running Boom in the '70s was a fantastic thing in that the number of people who were discovering the beauty of running reached a crazy rate.

The Running Culture found the spotlight, and I suspect that this is when runners became majorly targeted as consumers.

It's a wonder I've been running in anything but this latest running tanktop, priced at a modest $35. I could get the matching shorts - there's another $20. The tanktop does not have a built in bra - Look at this nice one for $33. Blister prevention socks, three pairs for $12. That should do, right?

This sport is so basic that it was actually a way of life so many years ago. It was necessary to survive as our ancestors ran to catch food, to escape enemies, to carry a message, and has transformed these days into a consumer driven sport. I feel a fool as I walk through Foot Locker or Dick's and realize that I can't afford my sport.

But I just can't afford to be a part of today's Running Culture.

We don't need to run to catch food anymore, and we all give into the temptation to get trendy new running gear. Heck, I'd do anything short of killing a person to get some more comfortable jog bras, and when I can afford to spend $33 on one, I will get one. Or many. I hope for many.

Recognize, however, that the consumer driven aspect of running is not all bad. During the '70s Running and Baby Boom, running technology was advanced in some very necessary ways. Polly Smith, Lisa Lindahl, and Royall Tyler are credited for the invention of the jogbra in 1977. Their goal was to invent a "jockstrap for women." Amen, sista. (http://www.uvm.edu/theview/article.php; http://bellisse.com/pdf/jstory.pdf)

As the merchandise industry has begun catering more to the running community, technological advances have been made, and they are not all bad. But I fear we are losing sight of the beauty of running. We forget the simplicity of it, and the fact that all we really need are a pair of shoes (for some people, not even that!) to go out for a run.

Oh! The shoes!

Look at these... Well don't these look cool? Those bubbles, they're pretty neat. Oh... But these ones have those shocks that everyone talks about. These would be sure to turn some heads. Not great running shoes, you say? Well, they're in the running section, aren't they? And they're some of the most steeply priced - They have to be good.

Now this is what really irks me. If you are a serious runner, and you like those shocks and bubbles in your shoes... If you have never experienced pain or injury with those shoes, and if those shoes have lasted a solid 500 miles on your feet, I would love to hear from you. Until I do, I will hold to my opinion that many of the running shoes on the market are crap. Companies are taking advantage of this must-look-good-while-doing-it frame of mind of the running culturists and designing shoes based on what looks good more-so than what works best. Take it from me - Many times, the best shoes that I have worn, are the ugliest on the shelf.

So have your expensive running outfits. Buy those running shades. (Even though you look like a tool when you wear them, you somehow manage to look cool at the same time...when it's sunny.) Splurge on the New Age technologically-advanced socks with compartments for each individual toe. Hell, when I have the money, I'll be splurging on those bras.

But do yourself a favor. Every so often, put away the i-pod, run watch-less. Perhaps put on a ratty T-shirt and shorts, and just Feel The Run.