Are you a PURIST?

Once in a while I see in an article or hear a runner who claims to be a purist as they don’t run with an iPod or MP3 player. REALLY!?! That makes you a purist? Scratching my head at the fact that you wear a watch that syncs with the satellites, high tech shoes, and high tech clothing while you run doesn’t discount your purist definition? Merely removing tunes from your ears makes you a purist…I beg to differ.

So I began to think on yet another run, since I have LOTS of time to do that while running, what makes someone a “running purist”? I wear cotton t-shirts and cotton shorts for many of my runs, does that make me a purist? Perhaps if I got some of the cotton knee socks with the colored stripe around the top band, I would be more of a purist? If I run barefoot would that make me a purist? Perhaps taking racing to the same standard as in the first Olympics truly makes you a purist! (http://www.neatorama.com/2008/08/02/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-ancient-olympic-games/)

By definition on Wikipedia, “A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences. The term may be used in almost any field, and can be applied either to the self or to others. Use of the term may be either pejorative or complimentary, depending on the context. Because the appellation depends on subjective notions of what is "pure" as opposed to "adulterating" as applied to any particular item, conflict can arise both as to whether a person so labeled is actually a purist and as to whether that is desirable.”

While looking at the definition it appears that it truly is up to the individual. So perhaps whoever claims they are a running purist is correct. When you take a look at the advancements in running, is there anyone who can truly claim to be a purist by definition being “free from adulterating or diluting influences”? 

Running has come along way from the “olden” days. We have moisture wicking fabrics for every important spot of your body, GPS watches, and amazing kicks! Call me an “impurist” if you want but I will keep my iPod, thanks, and all the cool gadgets that make running what it is today. By the way these also seem to satisfy my OCD nature to keep stats on everything during my run. Personally, I feel if you are out running, you are a purist. You are keeping your body doing what it was designed and intended to do and that is MOVE. Does it get any purer than that? Enjoy where you run, what you wear and listen to while you run, and feel free to claim that you are a purist! I am a purist BECAUSE I RUN!!! Get your gait on…