# The Evolution of Running: From Skepticism to Health Revolution
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Chapter 1: The Unlikely Advocate of Running
It's hard to fathom that not too long ago, heart patients were advised against running.
In 1984, Jim Fixx suffered a heart attack while on a routine run in Vermont. At 52, his death generally wouldn’t have made headlines, but Fixx was a prominent advocate for running, claiming it transformed his health and helped him avoid the fate of his father. In his book, he reflected, “My father had a heart attack when he was thirty-five, and until he died eight years later, he lived the life of an invalid” (p. 226). The irony of his passing was not lost on the public.
Fixx is recognized as a pioneer of the jogging movement that surged in the 1970s, having authored the influential book, The Complete Book of Running (1977). Given the current popularity of recreational running, it’s hard to believe that his death was met with a chorus of “I told you so” from those who viewed running as hazardous. For example, Restak (1984) noted in The Washington Post that Fixx exemplified the "obligate runner," someone who takes up running later in life and may overdo it in search of fulfillment.
However, we now understand that running likely contributed to Fixx's longevity rather than detracted from it. He began running after suffering a muscle strain while playing tennis, having struggled with obesity and smoking. He expressed, “My body had betrayed me, and I was angry” (p. XVI). Yet, after months of running, he lost weight, quit smoking, and found unexpected mental clarity and decreased anxiety: “I had a sense of quiet power, and if at any time I felt this power slipping away, I could instantly call it back by going out and running” (p. XVII).
The mental advantages of running received an entire chapter in his book, which also conveyed key messages that resonated with both the running community and the broader public of the 1970s. One central theme was that individuals must take charge of their health, and running offers a straightforward pathway to do so. It is accessible to everyone—no gym memberships or expensive club fees required. Fixx stated, “Running is an egalitarian and distinctly unsnobbish sport, one that meshes with much that is excellent in the American spirit” (p. 42).
Furthermore, running presented a counter to an overly civilized society, where individuals often indulged in excessive consumption, whether of food, television, or material possessions. To counteract a sedentary lifestyle and its associated health issues, as well as to combat addictions to alcohol and smoking, Fixx argued that running could help restore balance in life.
The emphasis on running represented a comprehensive restructuring of values and priorities (Plymire, 2002, p. 41). As running influenced lifestyle choices, attitudes, and values, participants often earned labels such as “health nuts” or “health Nazis” (Plymire, 2002).
Ironically, the most significant signifier of excessive civilization was heart disease. The heart, along with its associated metrics (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL), became the benchmark of health. For Fixx and other running advocates, running was seen as the definitive solution to heart disease. "The authors of running books believed that cardiac fitness was the optimal measure of overall fitness, that the heart was the primary organ of vitality and energy, and that someone with a weak heart could never truly be healthy" (Plymire, 2002, p. 41).
However, the medical community was divided on the issue.
Section 1.1: The Medical Community’s Dilemma
Fixx noted that the medical field was uncertain about running's role in health. While some cardiologists began recognizing the benefits of exercise following a heart attack, there was no consensus on how much running was appropriate.
He shared the story of Dr. Terence Kavanagh, who used running as a rehabilitation method for his heart attack patients. Under Kavanagh's guidance, a group of patients trained for a marathon, and, despite criticism from colleagues, all completed the race successfully (p. 233). They dubbed themselves the “World’s Sickest Track Club.”
Amidst conflicting messages from the medical field, many doctors were themselves smokers and overweight, leading to distrust among runners. This skepticism may have contributed to Fixx's early demise; he experienced chest pains shortly before his death but did not seek medical attention, adhering to advice that “annual physicals are a waste of time” (Cooper, 1986, p. 10).
This mindset reflected a broader belief that while the heart was a tangible measure of health, understanding what constitutes a healthy heart was elusive, especially for those who ran regularly.
Though Fixx's book sold millions, he was not alone in fostering a running culture that remains prevalent in America. Runner's World magazine gained immense popularity among enthusiasts, and Dr. George Sheehan’s philosophical writings on running were similarly influential. His notable works, Dr. Sheehan on Running (1975) and Running and Being (1978), resonated with the public, alongside contributions from other authors like Henderson and Kostrubala.
Chapter 2: The Jogging Movement's Roots
While Fixx was a foundational figure, the jogging boom did not originate solely with him. At the 1960 Rome Olympic Marathon, Barry Magee of New Zealand won bronze, leading his coach, Arthur Lydiard, to discuss the training methods that fostered "cardiac efficiency" (Gilmour, 2005, Loc 2946).
After the Olympics, Lydiard encountered three businessmen with heart conditions who had been advised against strenuous activity. He encouraged them to engage in controlled exercise to prevent bodily deterioration (Gilmour, 2005, Loc 2946). They began a run-walk regimen, gradually increasing their endurance and losing weight.
Lydiard collaborated with cardiologist Jack Sinclair to ensure the safety of their approach, which laid the groundwork for what would become the Auckland Joggers Club, a diverse group of runners from various backgrounds (Loc. 2989).
The movement gained traction across New Zealand, with participation from both journalists and medical professionals. “In Hamilton, jogging was initiated by a cardiologist who had experienced a heart attack himself” (Loc. 3018). As physicians endorsed running, more individuals joined in, although many doctors remained skeptical, still indulging in unhealthy habits like smoking (Gotaas, 2009, p. 242).
The New Zealand jogging trend soon crossed the Pacific to the United States.
In December 1962, Bill Bowerman, the University of Oregon Track and Field coach, visited New Zealand on a business trip. Lydiard suggested a run as a remedy for jet lag, leading Bowerman to join the Auckland Joggers Club. Despite considering himself fit, he quickly found himself struggling, humbled by a 73-year-old runner who had endured multiple heart attacks but still kept pace with him.
Bowerman was inspired, stating, "And that old guy has had three coronaries and he had to wait for me. From now on I'm into training" (Moore, 2006, p. 147). His six-week stay in New Zealand saw him lose ten pounds, prompting him to return to Oregon with a renewed commitment to running.
Bowerman invited people to learn about jogging at Hayward Field, and within weeks, attendance swelled from twenty-five to 5,000 (Gotaas, 2009). Recognizing the burgeoning interest, he teamed up with cardiologist Waldo Harris to develop a jogging program, resulting in the influential pamphlet that sparked the 1970s running craze: Jogging (Bowerman & Harris, 1967).
This pamphlet claimed, "A medically approved program that will reduce the waistline, improve your appearance, help prolong your life."
Despite medical endorsements, new joggers faced skepticism, often accused of squandering energy that could be better spent on productive activities. The medical community remained cautious, with few studies examining the effects of regular exercise on middle-aged adults, focusing instead on children.
Nevertheless, the jogging craze gained momentum. "They were running for different reasons; not to win or set records, but to get exercise and lose weight" (Gotaas, 2009, p. 244).
Meanwhile, as Bowerman championed the jogging movement, his former runner, Phillip Knight, was in Japan sourcing affordable running shoes to sell to Americans. Together, they founded Blue Ribbon Sport, which eventually became Nike.
Their first shoe, the Nike Cortez, launched in 1971, followed by the innovative Nike Waffle Trainer in 1972, designed specifically for the new breed of jogger (Gotaas, 2009).
Notably, running shoes have a long history dating back to the early 1800s, with rubber soles attached to canvas. Keds, launched in 1916, were marketed as "sneakers" for their quietness (Davis, 2014, p. 776).
While Nike was not the first to produce running shoes, it was the first to cater specifically to joggers. Other brands like Brooks, New Balance, Reebok, and Saucony also emerged during this period (Davis, 2014).
Section 2.1: Running as a Prescription
The 1970s jogging boom positioned running as a "prescription" for heart disease. Today, doctors advocate for cardiovascular exercise as a preventive measure, in stark contrast to the 1960s when patients were often advised against physical activity, as demonstrated by Fixx's father.
Runners frequently spoke of the "runner's high" and the tranquility experienced through running, marking the beginning of utilizing exercise to treat stress, anxiety, and even mental health conditions like depression.
Consequently, putting on running shoes became a transformative act; running was “medicalized.” The health benefits associated with running, particularly for the heart, became widely accepted, though the understanding of the runner's heart was historically flawed.
Fixx's narrative and the jogging movement's connection to health highlighted the importance of value-driven attitudes towards well-being.
The running boom of the 1970s illuminated a new perspective: Americans had a moral obligation to manage their health, taking it into their own hands, and relying less on medical professionals. Listening to their bodies was key to achieving better health.
Bodies were not failing; instead, in Fixx's words, they could be improved through running. The more individuals learned from their experiences as runners, the less they felt the need to consult doctors.
Dr. Sheehan (1978) remarked, “The jogger has three natural enemies: drivers, dogs, and doctors” (p. 139). This distinction emphasized a divide between sedentary individuals and those who embraced running. Plymire (2002) noted that while doctors classified sedentary people as healthy, they labeled injured runners as unhealthy, reinforcing the notion that injuries were merely part of the pursuit of genuine health (p. 43).
In essence, true health became a personal pursuit—something to be actively cultivated rather than a concern addressed only when issues arose.
The dynamic between runners and the medical community was often fraught with tension.
Section 2.2: A Shift in Perception
In the early days, runners were marginalized and seen as part of a counterculture. The discourse that developed in the 1970s played a crucial role in normalizing what was once deemed eccentric behavior.
Initially, runners were perceived as unproductive and selfish, often criticized for being a nuisance. However, public perception shifted dramatically. Alongside the proliferation of literature on running, evidence-based studies began supporting the health benefits of running, and the medical community increasingly advocated for cardiovascular exercises.
What began as a means to prevent heart disease evolved into the first health practice embraced by the masses. Today, running is widely accepted as a healthy and normal activity—a legacy that would undoubtedly make Jim Fixx proud.
Thank you for reading. As always,
Run and be brave!