I'm a serious competitive runner who runs a race most every Sunday. I'm in the market to purchase a new automobile, and was hoping you could recommend some of the auto-attributes I should consider when purchasing my next car. What would make my car the "Perfect Runner's Automobile"? - Running on Overdrive
Dear Overdrive,
Every once in a while a letter comes hurtling down towards me, through the mail chute in the ceiling of this dark and humid dungeon called "my office", located 62 floors below the mail room in the sub-sub-basement of the Run the Planet Corporate Enterprise Building, and I find myself faced with a question that I am uniquely qualified to answer. Frequently that question is from someone in the executive offices 62 flights above asking if I'd "Please turn the radio down", but every so often there is a quality question that this runner is eager and able to answer and respond to.
You ask me what would qualify as the "Perfect Runner's Automobile", and the answer is clear. The "auto" that every runner should own and cherish would have to be incredibly energy efficient, very lightweight, able to carry at least one runner. This vehicle would have to be capable of delivering that runner to a weekend road race.
This vehicle would not require massive luggage space, as we runners tend to "pack lightly". It should be well ventilated, so as to provide for "air wicking" after a particularly sweaty run, and should be extremely maneuverable, to allow for weaving in and out of traffic as we rush to the next race on our schedules.
The Perfect Runner's Vehicle should have the added facility for the runner to "cross train" as we drive, giving us a chance to warm up prior to a race, or to strengthen less used muscles in the days just prior to race day.
We have a name for a vehicle like this. It is something that we have fond memories of, and a childhood experience with that makes each of us master mechanics in the maintenance and repair of this transportational equipment. I encourage you to obtain this vehicle as soon as you can. Get one now, and use it often.
It's called a bicycle. And for a runner, it's the perfect means of transportation.
Run long and taper.
