Running and Driving, same but different

In my earlier post on running as transportation. The guys at evo forum has started comparing the difference between running and driving. The route from Geylang East to Chuan Place that I ran earlier was also one of favourite driving roads.

A mere 6km length of road. How fun could that be? Let me correct, it is 6km of winding, semi-country road with hills and slopes. That's where the fun is. My only gripe? It can get a little congested at peak hours.

When one is driving, he feels the bumps of the roads through the conversation from the steering wheel. You feel the inclines of the roads by hearing the increasing whine of the engine and feel the thumps of the gearbox as it downshifts. If your windows are up. You do not hear the rustling of the wind, smell the country air or feel the heat of the day.

You are at one with your car, flowing across the road. Feeling the curve of the road as the steering wheel gently pull to one side as you drive along the curving road. The balance of the car shifting forward and backwards as you brake or accelerate. Pure driving nirvanna...

When you run, you do not feel the road via your shoes. Neither do you feel the weight balance of oneself as you ran along a curving road. You feel the pitter pattering of your footsteps as the sole of the shoes grip and release the tarmac.

On a long distance run, your internal engine (lungs, muscles, legs etc) powers you on like an inline 2 cylinder engine. Firing sequence, 1, 2, 1, 2... Tachometer? Your heart rate monitor flashing your heart rate in percentage.

Going up the slope? Your legs downshifts automatically to a posture fitted for hill climbing. You grunt and heave up the slope. Your RPM increases as you do the climb. The amount of carbon dioxide you emit also increase accordingly.

You hear the rustling of the leaves above the pitter pattering of your feet. The loud beeps of your heart rate monitor as you redline your heart to climb up the incline. You feel the heat of the day, the growing ache in your muscles as glycogen in you muscles get used up and rapid moisture wicking of your dri-fit running tee.

Car: 46 MPG
Runner: 217 MPG

Not that different right?

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