But what about a
runner
? Does someone run in response to watching another run a marathon?
I think that answer is obvious. My friends have asked me, why do I run. Strange that I don't have a single friend who is also a runner. Or an athlete of any kind for that matter. They do not understand why someone would run. But I can tell you that it's not in response to seeing other run. They do not motivate me.
This is not to say that my running is not a response to something. Everything we do is a response to some thing. The minute we are born to this world, we cry in response to it. Cry to be placed back into the warm cavern we've just been yanked from. The bright room of a hospital. The voice of others penetrating your naked ear. You can't help but cry in response to that.
But as a 29 year old man. Why do I run? For the same reason I cried when I first entered this world. I run because I have to.