Photo from Healthy Chicks
What makes someone “a runner?!?”
I was talking to my friend Amy the other night and we were talking about our upcoming half-marathon and what we were doing to train for it. I had been “jogging” for a few weeks to get ready and she said she had only run once or twice and she needed to get serious. Since she is the one who convinced asked me to do the half-marathon with her, I thought, yeah you should! But, then I realized, she is a natural runner. She goes out after weeks of not running and knocks out an 8-10 minute mile. I on the other hand, have to work up to a freakin’ 11 minute mile. I told her that I was averaging about a 12 minute mile and I wouldn’t consider myself “a runner” until I could knock out 10 minute miles.
Stop…
Halt…
Don’t go any further…
What make someone “a runner”?!?
Today, I found my answer.
I am watching some adorable children this weekend for a friend and I am not in my usual home to run on my treadmill. I knew I needed to knock out today’s 4 mile half-marathon training run and was trying to figure out a good time to do it. The perfect time came when both boys wanted to go to a neighbor’s house to play. I walked them to the house and decided to run around that neighborhood. I knew I needed some more miles outside so this was going to be perfect.
I put in my Ironman Yurbuds and turned on my running playlist on Spotify and got to it. I started immediately jogging. I jogged the first mile or so with only one short walk break to stretch my hamstrings. After that, I pretty much ran the entire 4 miles with only a few, very short, walk breaks. Generally the walk breaks were only going up the hills.
Can I just tell you–I LOVED IT!!!!! I really enjoyed listening to the music, the weather was beautiful and I had an awesome run! I also ended up with a good time. I did 4 miles in 45:32. That is about an 11.5 minute mile. Not too shabby. The best part was when I finished. I KNEW at that moment that I was a runner.
I ran almost the entire thing, felt good, and actually enjoyed it.
I think each person has to decide for themselves what makes you a “runner.” Some people would consider themselves a runner if they run down the driveway to get the mail. Others consider themselves a runner if they run a mile without stopping-no matter how fast or slow!
For me, it took a moment of realization. It took a good run, outside, with just music and my thoughts and WANTING to do it again when I was done, to consider myself a runner.
For me, it was a moment. A moment that changed my thinking. A moment of realization that yes, I am a runner.
Are you a runner? In your opinion, what makes someone “a runner?”
