Saturday, January 16, 2010

When Are You a Runner?

Recently I posted about all the running gear I got from Christmas and one of the comments said that you know you're a runner when all you get for Christmas is running stuff.  I've kind of been thinking about this a lot lately.  What makes someone a runner?

Is it when you finish a 5K?  A 10K?  A half-marathon or a full marathon?  Or does distance not matter at all?

The treadmill at the gym says that 4.0mph is jogging and that 6.0mph is running.  I can walk at 4.0 and I can run at 6.0.  Does that make me a runner?

Or is is about running regularly?  Does 3 times or more a week make you a runner?  Or does 15 miles a week count?

Does it make me a runner if you see other people running and it makes you jealous?  Or that you'd rather buy new running outfits than real clothes?

Or am I a runner because I decide I'm a runner?  I don't want to be one of those people that says they're something that they're not.  But I think I can finally say that I'm a runner.  I am fairly regular about my runs and although I don't log high weekly miles or run super fast, I can do it and I think that's enough.  Maybe I've been hesitant to put a label on it because sometimes I feel like when I tell people I run they just look at me funny, like there's no possible way I could be a runner.  I'm certainly not a small person, but I certainly can do.

And that's one of the most interesting thing I've found out about runners.  They all come in different shapes and sizes and some are the ones you least suspect.  It always amazes me when I got to a race and look around.  Most of the time the people I think would be easy to beat are the ones who finish way ahead of me and the ones that I'm neck and neck with are the people I would have thought would be way ahead.  It just goes to show that you never can tell. 

But I think it's a fair assessment to say that I'm a runner.  I may not be as hard core or intense as some, but that's ok because at least I try.

2 comments:

  1. I think you become a runner when you feel that you are a runner! You said it well that when you get jealous of seeing someone else running, or when it's a beautiful day outside and the only thing you want to do is go for a run...you are definitely a runner!

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  2. I think you're a runner if you get out there and put one foot in front of the other. Best of luck in your goals!

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