Yes to this: “Accepting that life will always be a wild stormy frolicking ocean is hard. Our human instinct is to want smooth seas. But really we just need to build ourselves better boats.”
I started running after donating one of my kidneys to a friend. In a little less than a decade of running, I completed a dozen marathons and a handful of ultras. Then the pandemic happened and I signed up for Lazarus Lake's Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee. I ran 635 miles in four months, more than I'd even run in a four-month span. Then an angry racist mob of runners inundated my race recap. https://benchan.substack.com/p/my-last-running-photo
At the same time all of that was happening, Lululemon was gaining more a foothold in the running community. That bothers me because Lululemon is anti-Asian.
(I don't blame Lululemon's athletes because Lululemon isn't upfront with them about the origin of the brand name.)
I used to love being around runners as a fellow runner, a volunteer, a cheerleader, a teammate. Everything that's happened since 2020 has led me to the conclusion that there's no place for me in the running community. I have no allies there.
I've been writing and working with a therapist. When I started meeting with my therapist years ago, he initially talked about me getting me back into running. After years of talking to me my therapist has come to understand why I feel this way about running. I don't even like being labeled a runner. It's taken me a long time just to start running by myself, and I only do it when I'm relatively sure I won't cross paths with another runner.
Devon, you're a great writer. I don't read much on Substack although I have several subscriptions. However, I'm always thrilled when I get an email alert that you have a new article up! Your thoughts and reflections in this one resonate with me and the issues I have going on in my life. Best of luck with Leadville - I hope it's a joyful adventure. Awesome race for you to choose since it's 'sort of' in your backyard :) Still trying to stop by the bakery; hopefully soon!
Thanks for sharing this hard earned wisdom and putting it together in such a thought provoking and well written piece.
“I wish that I could engage unencumbered with the hype and be invigorated in a space that no longer feels like a community and instead a scene.”
👆🏻I’ll be thinking about this particular sentence for a bit. But this is just one of many valuable topics for folks who think deeply about sport and life will be mulling over after reading your “The Sound Of Silence” How can we better show up as “community” and not feed into the “scene” is top of mind for me. Best of luck at Leadville 💪🏼
I love this so much. You love running and you can run exactly how you want. I’ve been going down a similar path. Let’s catch up sometime! Have a great day tomorrow, whatever that means for you. ❤️
Sending all the good vibes your way as you play out in those mountains tomorrow, visit the donkeys on Hope Pass and find your way back into town not focused on the finish but all the goodness in between.
Yes to this: “Accepting that life will always be a wild stormy frolicking ocean is hard. Our human instinct is to want smooth seas. But really we just need to build ourselves better boats.”
Run strong!
"Have yourself a day"👊🫶
I started running after donating one of my kidneys to a friend. In a little less than a decade of running, I completed a dozen marathons and a handful of ultras. Then the pandemic happened and I signed up for Lazarus Lake's Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee. I ran 635 miles in four months, more than I'd even run in a four-month span. Then an angry racist mob of runners inundated my race recap. https://benchan.substack.com/p/my-last-running-photo
People kept talking about what happened without talking to me. It's probably going to be in Laz's upcoming biography- without my name and perspective of course. https://benchan.substack.com/p/ive-been-rendered-a-footnote-in-the
At the same time all of that was happening, Lululemon was gaining more a foothold in the running community. That bothers me because Lululemon is anti-Asian.
https://youtu.be/u5RYFKPfsaY
https://www.lululemonisracist.com/
(I don't blame Lululemon's athletes because Lululemon isn't upfront with them about the origin of the brand name.)
I used to love being around runners as a fellow runner, a volunteer, a cheerleader, a teammate. Everything that's happened since 2020 has led me to the conclusion that there's no place for me in the running community. I have no allies there.
I've been writing and working with a therapist. When I started meeting with my therapist years ago, he initially talked about me getting me back into running. After years of talking to me my therapist has come to understand why I feel this way about running. I don't even like being labeled a runner. It's taken me a long time just to start running by myself, and I only do it when I'm relatively sure I won't cross paths with another runner.
Thanks for writing this, and good luck.
You cannot accomplish yourself to self-worth 🎯👏🏽
Very much appreciate this and you.
Get it. Then…write a book. I love reading your words. You’re extremely talented.
Love this, Devon. May the day bring everything you need!
Si se puede! 🙌🏽💯
Whatever the day brings, I'm rooting for you!
Devon, you're a great writer. I don't read much on Substack although I have several subscriptions. However, I'm always thrilled when I get an email alert that you have a new article up! Your thoughts and reflections in this one resonate with me and the issues I have going on in my life. Best of luck with Leadville - I hope it's a joyful adventure. Awesome race for you to choose since it's 'sort of' in your backyard :) Still trying to stop by the bakery; hopefully soon!
Thanks for sharing this hard earned wisdom and putting it together in such a thought provoking and well written piece.
“I wish that I could engage unencumbered with the hype and be invigorated in a space that no longer feels like a community and instead a scene.”
👆🏻I’ll be thinking about this particular sentence for a bit. But this is just one of many valuable topics for folks who think deeply about sport and life will be mulling over after reading your “The Sound Of Silence” How can we better show up as “community” and not feed into the “scene” is top of mind for me. Best of luck at Leadville 💪🏼
I love this so much. You love running and you can run exactly how you want. I’ve been going down a similar path. Let’s catch up sometime! Have a great day tomorrow, whatever that means for you. ❤️
Thank you Devon. Your words resonate.
You are a beautiful human ✨
Sending all the good vibes your way as you play out in those mountains tomorrow, visit the donkeys on Hope Pass and find your way back into town not focused on the finish but all the goodness in between.
Have fun out there 💛
Yasss Queen!! ❤️