Tax Breaks and Workplace Benefits for Runners is Good Government Policy

One morning at the end of a long week at work, I was dragging, and almost eschewed my morning run but I forced myself out the door and did it.  By the time, I got back to my front door I was a new man.  I had my energy back as well as my enthusiasm and I attacked my work with new vigor.  In fact, while I was running I solved a few work issues in my head and was eager to accomplish them. I was a bit irked that during my run I was solving work issues on my own time, without any compensation from my employer. That was when the first inkling of the idea that running was not just a personal fitness activity but that it affected my performance at work as well. It actually made me a better employee and that maybe I should be financially compensated for my running? 

No matter what your job is, there is training involved.  Professional development is oftentimes required.  Frankly much of it is a waste of time and does little to improve our productivity at work. If my runs or races were defined as job related I could be compensated for them?

The idea of my employer viewing my races as professional development had a lot of merit. (At least to me it did.)  I however needed to really flesh the idea out and look at it from all perspectives not just my own selfish interests (and the self interest of my fellow runners) .  So I did what I would do to develop any great idea – I went for a run.  That run did it and more! I came up with this three point plan that will get America’s economy humming, improve workplace teamwork, make Americans healthier, and even improve family life.  I am now making room in my den for my Nobel Peace Prize. Now I know that some of you are snickering and are very doubtful of my idea but I just ask that read it first, along with the rationale then you can criticize it.

All Employers Should Reimburse Runners for their Races – As any runner can attest running makes you a happier person with more energy and enthusiasm. I am sure that like me, other runners have had their runs renew their energy and enthusiasm not just at home but at work. Finishing a race brings this energy and enthusiasm to another level so it should be considered professional development. Think about how much better your work relationships would be if we ran together.  It would increase our productivity.

We all know that for all of those useless sessions and online classes you have taken at work, you have to sign in to attendance sheets or if online answer questions and submit the results. This is to verify that you took the course.  Now I am big on verification and do not want just any run counted as professional development, it needs to be a sanctioned race.   For our race verification the employee would be required to wear the race t-shirt and their finisher medal to work. If your boss wants you to turnkey your experience they could ask you to recap your race which I know all runners could do easily.

I am a fiscal conservative so this reimbursement should be limited to twelve races, one a month.

Health Plans Should Cover Running Watches and Other Running Gear – Many current health plans give discounts and other incentives as part of their “wellness” push, if you join a fitness center.  The obvious incentive is that numerous studies prove that exercise leads directly to better health. While I have nothing against fitness centers, they are not for everyone. What about those of us who run on our own? We deserve something as well. So I propose that the healthcare plans cover the purchase of our running watches. After all, even if you join a fitness center there is no tracking of your workouts.  My Garmin practically records all my movement and activities. It tells me my heart rate, my distance, steps, when to move, and I am sure that down the road it will also monitor my bowel movements. (I am waiting for the alert to pop up one day after sitting on the toilet during my morning ritual saying “Great Job! Stay Regular!)

I would not limit this coverage to just the watches but am open to other runner gear like hydration packs might also be included because after all proper hydration is essential to good health.

Travel Expenses to Races Should be Tax Deductible – This recommendation is really not for the runners per say but for the local businesses at race locations.  It is really a stimulus package to encourage runners to travel further for races and maybe stay in a hotel and spend money at the local eateries. I see numerous races that I would like to enter but the travel costs are what keep me from signing up.  This little change could help so many businesses like the airline industry, hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants.

Now some of you may think that I am just a runner who is looking to recoup some of the large sums of money I have spent on my running.  The truth is that I am proposing this to make the United States a better country and if it just so happens to help me financially that is just an unintended consequence that I am willing to live with.  Here are the five benefits to our country.

1)      First our workforce would be fitter and more energized at work, taking less sick days. As a result making the country more productive and increasing our GNP.

2)      The race promoters and local businesses would benefit by the spending of the runners, thus helping small businesses.

3)      Charities would surely benefits since so many of them use races to raise funds for their great causes.

4)      American families would become stronger! Why? Some runners like me are married to nonrunners and sometimes there are questions asked about certain bills that come in about my racing and running purchases. (I mean how am I supposed to remember all those purchases? I am busy tracking my mileage) If my employer reimbursed me for my races or if my trip to run a race in Italy was tax deductible, I would not get guff about my expenses from my wife.  The result a happier family.

5)      Finally, runners live in red and blue states, and come in all political persuasions, so this would unite the country politically.

Now obviously I suspect that my fellow runners will support me in this endeavor but I am a political realist and realize we need the support of nonrunners as well.  When a nonrunner questioned my idea and said “What about the majority of us who don’t run?” I responded that I am willing to compromise and believe that you are eligible for these incentives if you volunteer at a race or at least crew a runner. After all, if you don’t run, the least you can do is help a runner.  It is your patriotic duty.

By the way I need these law changed soon. Very soon. I just signed up for a couple of races and bought a new watch and my wife has not seen the bill yet. So if anyone knows a powerful congressman or woman let me know.