Natalia Mehlman Petrzela’s Misguided Attack on Running

‘Run Forrest, Run!”

When I’m running, that’s about the most annoying thing that happens to me: Some smartass hooligan shouts the famous line from Forrest Gump at me. He usually doesn’t expect me to heckle back, but I almost always do. “Haven’t heard that one before!” is my stock response. It comes so quickly now that it’s a reflex almost as natural as running itself, after training and competing as a serious long-distance runner for half of my life.

About the Author

Jack Butler

Jack Butler is a former submissions editor at National Review.

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‘Run Forrest, Run!”

When I’m running, that’s about the most annoying thing that happens to me: Some smartass hooligan shouts the famous line from Forrest Gump at me. He usually doesn’t expect me to heckle back, but I almost always do. “Haven’t heard that one before!” is my stock response. It comes so quickly now that it’s a reflex almost as natural as running itself, after training and competing as a serious long-distance runner for half of my life.