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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Running Smarts

Today, in one of my classes, we were discussing the term "intelligence" and talking about the various kinds of intelligence and how it can be defined. Some students offered up athleticism as a kind of intelligence, and I agree that athletes do possess a unique kind of intelligence; this, obviously, led me to ponder running and its forms of intelligence.

What do you guys think: Is there a "running intelligence"? If so, how could it be characterized or defined? Is it learned, or is there some intuitive aspect that you either have or don't have?

I swear, sometimes I would label myself a "running genius," but sometimes I could label myself a "running moron"!

21 comments:

Razz said...

If this is a "nature vs. nurture" argument, I would say that the elite runners are nature whilst us other runners would fall under the nurture category.

P.O.M. said...

I agree with Raz. To add to that, I think runners have a bit of BOTH. You can have some inherent running traits like being able to listen to your body. Other traits have to be learned, like Fartleks and Distance training tricks.

Gosh, you're such a teacher. ha ha.

Anonymous said...

Ditto. I think some people are "born to run," but the rest of us mere mortals are blessed with the ability to learn by experience.

A true running moron would be somebody who stops growing and refuses to accept the lessons that our bodies and time on the road teach us.

E said...

Interesting post, and I'd have to agree with the others and say it's a little bit of both.

Anonymous said...

Running Intelligence correlates directly to the temperature on the thermometer and whether or not one choses to run. 55-75 degrees is Genius level. Run in temperatures colder or hotter than that and your dumbness increases by the degree. Lately Jess.....Mensa will not be calling you.

Anonymous said...

you see this is where i tease my husband- he runs and i 'sprint' while i play tennis. I tell him my sprinting has a purpose- to get to the ball, his running though- who is he running from or what is he running to? THAT my friend, is why I have never been able to run as a hobby. Yesterday I ran 'cause my daughter was chasing me in her scooter, but you see? I was running FROM her...the soreness in my inner thighs today is another story.

Amy said...

Are you trying to get us to do a writing prompt?
I refuse Professor.

Unknown said...

I think there's definitely "pacing" intelligence.... I always notice when I pass someone walking in a race -- to me, that's the sign of someone in need of pace remedial.

Marcy said...

Hmmmmmmmm too deep for me :P I've gotta go ahead and agree with Raz as well.

teacherwoman said...

Totally agree with Raz. fo sho....

AddictedToEndorphins said...

Yeah, all of the other commenters are right...
If this were september I might have something more to say but since I'm out of school, I'm uh--on vacation until September.

Kevin said...

I think its part knowledge, part intelligence, and a large part genetics.

You can learn much, but you need to be able to apply it, and then again it doesnt hurt to have the genetic predisposition to be fast, say like the Kenyans

chia said...

Since we're on topic of mental states...

Advil: Ritalin for runners legs.

Teacher Pursuits said...

I think there is something innate and organic about running... as in, there is a little bit of runner in all of us. Finding it, measuring it, and enhancing it is up to us. :)

keith said...

It's one of Gardner's intelligence types:

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)



Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

There ya have it...

E said...

With regards to the push up challenge - I do the regular push ups. If you can do the regular ones, definitely do those. The ones done on your knees work different muscle groups, and the "standard" ones definitely help with your core.

Crissy Rae said...

I agree with Raz, too. Nature has given some runners the gift while the rest of us try our hardest to master the art of running. I definitely fall in the nurture category.

sRod said...

If there is a running intelligence then I confess to be in severe shortage of it.

Razz said...

holy crap. I've never had this many people agree with me before.

Viv said...

I'm confused... Can I just copy someone elses comments.

J~Mom said...

I going with Raz.