The first "Running Simulator" I remember playing was "Microsoft Olympic Decathlon" on my Apple ][, where you run with your two fingers repeatedly pressing two keys on the keyboard as fast as you can. But I remember seeing more elaborate, challenging Flash "running simulator" games with physics simulation like "Severe Running". Muscular twitch micro-management sims.

[Apple II] Olympic Decathlon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slm2oHqD1ik

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Decathlon

[begin marketing bullshit]

>Reception: Decathlon received the Creative Computing Game of the Year Award at the 1980 West Coast Computer Faire.[4] BYTE in 1981 called Decathlon "a great party game"[5] and "a remarkable simulation ... challenging and entertaining", praising the adherence to the real decathlon's rules and the TRS-80 and Apple II versions' graphics.[4] Computer Gaming World stated in 1982 that Decathlon "has all the characteristics that are required of a long-lasting, quality game". It described the game as having "superb graphics and sound", and concluded that "it is an important contribution to the computer gaming hobby".

>Former decathlete Douglas Cobb wrote in PC Magazine in 1983 that "this impressive, realistic game brings back vivid memories and provides exciting entertainment through all ten events. The jumping and throwing events are particularly authentic, applying theories used in actual competition. Strategies combining speed, timing, and direction are authentic enough to help an Olympic hopeful train on the basic principles behind the individual events". In 1984 InfoWorld stated that "no one's topped it yet. If I were Microsoft, I'd market the heck out of [Decathlon] this summer."

[end marketing bullshit]

>Legacy: Olympic Decathlon preceded Konami's Track & Field and The Activision Decathlon, both of which were released in 1983 and have similar gameplay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromanagement_(gameplay)

>Twitch vs trick: Some forms of micromanagement involve continuous input of a large number of commands over a short period of time. This is known as twitch micromanagement. For example, a micromanagement technique known as kiting requires continuous input from the player in order to keep their character at an optimum distance from a target. Another example of twitch micromanagement can be found in racing games whereby a player is required to keep making split second adjustments to the position of their vehicle.

>In contrast to twitch micromanagement, some game elements need only occasional input from the player in order to exploit tricks in their behavior. In these situations, quick thinking is rewarded over continuous, quick reaction. This is known as trick micromanagement.

>Other types of games are based entirely on micromanagement, such as pet-raising simulations and games like Cake Mania, where the player's ability to micromanage is often the only skill being tested by the game.

Game Helpin' Squad does spot-on parodies of actual games (and entire genres)! The chat messages and menu trees and popup texts that fly by are hilarious and worth pausing and reading!

"Time Travel Understander" is a parody of Braid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fABGyVzVwI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braid_(video_game)

"World Quester 2" is a parody of all D&D/RTS/RPG games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gy9hJauXns

"Pretend Gas Station" is a parody of SimCity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPMeWas4kXM

"Solitaire Party" is a parody of all card games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBbMb3X2R8A

"Burgers and Guns" is a parody of GTA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2VaHd29DEc

"Chronochores" is a parody of I have no idea what, some kind of housecleaning simulator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vu5MrYzVbY

They also did "A Pissed Off Tutorial For Google Wave":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z4RKRLaSug