Is Running a virtue?

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HabemusFrancis

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For a (somewhat) new years resolution I have decided to re-invigorate the sport of runnning.

I was a big cross country runner in high school but ever since my mid college days I sort of slacked off from it.

However,I felt my life needed something of a “jolt” and I think running has brought that.

In the past month I have run 82 miles (in total) and have noticed several improvements: My concentration and sense of things is much more sharp and clear.

Even though I have depression the depression seems practically eliminated.

I only feel like eating good food and have not had any hard liquor.

Could running in and of itself be a virtuous act? It certainly seems to kick gluttony and sloth to the curb. I feel kinder and better after I run and more able to do “God’s will” so to speak.

Any thoughts?
 
I wouldn’t classify running itself as a virtue–virtue is something anyone may gain, so since not everyone can run it’s not obtainable for all. 😉 However, if running helps you be virtuous then, for you, it is certainly an aid to virtue. 🙂
 
It is for you! 🙂 Anyway, it doesn’t matter what you call it. If it works for you then keep doing it.
 
1Lord1Faith said:
It is for you! 🙂 Anyway, it doesn’t matter what you call it. If it works for you then keep doing it.
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Exactly!

Good for you! Keep up the good work, and you might even want to pray the rosary while you run! 🙂
 
1Lord1Faith said:
It is for you! 🙂 Anyway, it doesn’t matter what you call it. If it works for you then keep doing it.
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👍 So happy for the OP that depression has subsided and the other benefits that have come from running has enhanced the quality of life.

Mary.
 
If you are running from the devil-I guess it is a virtue!!😃
 
HabemusFrancis said:
For a (somewhat) new years resolution I have decided to re-invigorate the sport of runnning.

I was a big cross country runner in high school but ever since my mid college days I sort of slacked off from it.

However,I felt my life needed something of a “jolt” and I think running has brought that.

In the past month I have run 82 miles (in total) and have noticed several improvements: My concentration and sense of things is much more sharp and clear.

Even though I have depression the depression seems practically eliminated.

I only feel like eating good food and have not had any hard liquor.

Could running in and of itself be a virtuous act? It certainly seems to kick gluttony and sloth to the curb. I feel kinder and better after I run and more able to do “God’s will” so to speak.

Any thoughts?
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I don’t know if it is virtuous. But it is definitely good for you, with many benefits, physical and psychological, even spiritual. Running clears the mind, is great cardio exercise, tones muscles, lowers stress. I love it - though I think I jog rather than run. I go pretty slow. And I don’t love it all the time. Sometimes it can get pretty hard. Depends on the day. I am very thankful I do it though - that is for sure. It is amazing what you get out of it. I often see people go too hard though - ruin their knees, etc. I say go easy - you can run for years and years and avoid injury if you do that. Plus it is much more fun.
 
It is not a virtue in itself, but it would seem to be a good exercise of the virtue of prudence, which disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and choose the right means of achieving it. But excessive running, for example, would show a lack of temperance and prudence.

Perhaps it strengthens us in fortitude, but I’m not sure about that one.

I think it would be safe to say that keeping our bodies healthy, as well as our minds, within certain limitations, is a virtuous act.

In a nutshell, running is neutral. But maintaining you health, in the light of the gospel, is a lesser virtue. Some virtues would supercede it in various circumstances.
 
HabemusFrancis said:
For a (somewhat) new years resolution I have decided to re-invigorate the sport of runnning.

I was a big cross country runner in high school but ever since my mid college days I sort of slacked off from it.

However,I felt my life needed something of a “jolt” and I think running has brought that.

In the past month I have run 82 miles (in total) and have noticed several improvements: My concentration and sense of things is much more sharp and clear.

Even though I have depression the depression seems practically eliminated.

I only feel like eating good food and have not had any hard liquor.

Could running in and of itself be a virtuous act? It certainly seems to kick gluttony and sloth to the curb. I feel kinder and better after I run and more able to do “God’s will” so to speak.

Any thoughts?
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Our bodies are made to move, and so the more we move the better able we are to live a fully human life.

I’d be a runner myself if I could lose some pounds in the near term.

If running helps you to shape your life, then I’d say yes, it is an aid to virtue.

ICXC NIKA
 
I run quite a bit too. For stress relief mostly. I have had the same question, basically, except I wonder if runner can be considered prayer.

I do pray when I run, if it is safe. When on the streets I don’t because I need to be aware of traffic. When on a trail I make an effort to pray.

I have come to the conclusion that although I feel much better, deals with life’s curveball, have a much better disposition, etc., etc., when I run regularly I can’t rightfully call it prayer. That is why I make the effort when on a trail to incorporate prayer. It is definitely an enhancement to my prayer life (helping my mind to focus).
 
On my more difficult runs… I can’t help but think of Saint Paul and “running the good race.” It’s strenuous and hurts to some degree.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
 
JamalChristophr said:
On my more difficult runs… I can’t help but think of Saint Paul and “running the good race.” It’s strenuous and hurts to some degree.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
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I thought of that when I posted.

ICXC NIKA
 
St. Paul had this to say,

1 Timothy 4:8 NIV
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
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Obviously for the OP, physical training in the form of running
is of some value
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. I don’t think I’d call it a virtue, although the self discipline to keep going certainly is.

It’s not the same as godliness - the next bloke to whom you say “G’day mate!” and going the other way might be running from the police or his creditors for all you know, but it certainly has value.

As an aside, there is a running group called the Hash-House Harriers. A bloke I knew who was in a HHH club said they ran from pub to pub. As Wikipedia put it,
Members often describe their group as “a drinking club with a running problem,” indicating that the social element of an event is as important, if not more so, than any athleticism involved. Beer remains an integral part of a hash, though the balance between running and drinking differs between chapters, with some groups placing more focus on socialising and others on running.
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Now … is running from pub to pub a virtue?:confused:
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I suppose running itself isn’t exactly a virtue.

But I suppose if it makes me feel good (in a good wholesome way) and is a form of taking care of myself, I think it is a worthwhile thing and probably pleasing to God in its own way
 
HabemusFrancis said:
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I suppose running itself isn’t exactly a virtue.

But I suppose if it makes me feel good (in a good wholesome way) and is a form of taking care of myself, I think it is a worthwhile thing and probably pleasing to God in its own way
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And it’s a good way to be alone with God in your heart mind and soul. 🙂
 
JamalChristophr said:
On my more difficult runs… I can’t help but think of Saint Paul and “running the good race.” It’s strenuous and hurts to some degree.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
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Love that verse.
 
HabemusFrancis said:
For a (somewhat) new years resolution I have decided to re-invigorate the sport of runnning.

I was a big cross country runner in high school but ever since my mid college days I sort of slacked off from it.

However,I felt my life needed something of a “jolt” and I think running has brought that.

In the past month I have run 82 miles (in total) and have noticed several improvements: My concentration and sense of things is much more sharp and clear.

Even though I have depression the depression seems practically eliminated.

I only feel like eating good food and have not had any hard liquor.

Could running in and of itself be a virtuous act? It certainly seems to kick gluttony and sloth to the curb. I feel kinder and better after I run and more able to do “God’s will” so to speak.

Any thoughts?
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To the extent that taking care of your body and your health is a virtuous act, then yes.
 
Hey everyone!

At the risk of committing the sin of pride, I just thought Id announce I rejoined the “100 mile” club after years of being “out of it”.

Here’s to 100 more 👍
 
Try this on for size, since we have in our baptism been infused with Virtue: Use it while running:
“I am going to run virtuously on this run”.
Very doable because virtue was given to you.
If you do it every time you run, you will notice more and more insights about how to do it ever more virtuously.

I do it with driving everyday, “I am going to drive virtuously to work now.”
It is totally surprising how it removes anxieties about getting somewhere quicker (which would make me drive viciously). And the traffic signs or highway patrol no longer seem like hindrances, but give me ideas to add to my driving.
 
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