The Loneliest Long-Distance Runner

The ideology behind life as a race and life as a run is complex and can be depicted differently by each person who comes across it. In simple terms life being a race is competition whereas life being a run is freedom. Comparing life to a race has many different meanings. Life is constantly moving like people running a race. It is competitive, the winner shows dominance and strength to the other runners. This comparison also teaches a lesson, especially in the context of The Loneliest Long-Distance Runner. Where is Smith’s eyes the word race has such a negative connotation compared to the word run. When all the pressure is to win, not about the run itself, you miss out on the meaning behind running. In life people set goals for themselves so they can be better than …show more content…
Life as a run implies this idea of freedom, especially to the runner. Running in certain cases can be used as an outlet. Time alone for oneself to evaluate life, to think freely and openly, and even to get the mind off things that one does not wish to think about. Running when compared to life is the more lackadaisical side of things, when you do stop and self evaluate or think for oneself as an independent. It is this idea of freedom to just do whatever you want no limits or barriers to keep you from what you want, not only that it’s doing something for oneself not for the benefit of others. The meaning of life as a run can be seen as self gratification. When it comes to the meaning of the run in The Loneliest Long-Distance Runner Smith is given this opportunity to think when he runs. His clarity of life in his thoughts is so meaningful. Smith believes, “...this long-distance running lark is the best of all, because it makes me think so good that I learn things even better than when i’m on my bed at night” running is his outlet, he can think and better than in any other situation he