Why do many here not consider themselves runners despite running regularly?
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When is one considered a runner? Or rather when would you consider yourself a runner?
I consider anyone who has either succeeded in sh*tting themselves in the middle of a run, or at least been forced to pull over and take care of the problem behind a bush, to be a real runner. Until you have that experience, I am not sure I can call you a "real runner" yet.
I have yet to do this- but I've been precariously close- my GI tract really has a hard time with the running sometimes- so I regularly run with baby wipes and am prepared to step to the side to handle business. #thatawkardsprinttounlockthedoortogetbackinside
Interesting discussion- I personally will tell others "if you run- you're a runner"
but I really don't consider myself a runner- mostly because while I like doing it- (mostly) it isn't my passion- lifting is my passion- not running. Running is like a side gig LOL
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Being a runner is a state of mind, if you lace up the sneakers & head out the door (or hop on the treadmill) you're a runner if you think you are (no matter how fast or how far).
I row (indoors) as x-training for my running, while I enjoy it and row about 30km per week on average I don't think of myself as a rower.0 -
fiddletime wrote: »If you start assigning a level of skill to an activity then who is the judge? Slower runners are still runners. If nobody lost a race we wouldn't have a winner of a race. It takes all levels. You can be a musician, a reporter, a writer, and don't have to be great at it, or even very good. I used to be a "hard core" runner. That was the term I used which doesn't mean anything really, but does give some idea of my level of commitment and passion to running at that time.
All that means is that there's some ambiguity. Such is life. Distinctions aren't always crystal clear.
Asking "Who is the judge?" presumes that because there is no sharp dividing line that everyone is forced to agree on, we must therefore avoid drawing any distinctions. Obviously, that's foolish. You can't really claim to be a writer without a baseline level of skill; otherwise, everyone past the second grade should consider himself a "writer."
I'm not saying that we must all be in complete agreement about who is a runner and who is not. However, I think it's perfectly reasonable for someone to say that she runs on occasion -- or perhaps even regularly -- and yet isn't considered a runner. It's the same way someone can incorporate weight training into one's exercise program without being considered a weightlifter. Or the way people can sing off-key in the shower without being considered a singer.
At what point would YOU then consider someone to be a runner?
That is a good question. Honestly, I'm not sure. I do know that I don't consider myself to be one, even though I try to put in a good amount of mileage and have a good amount of running endurance.
As a rough and ready rule, I'd say that a runner is someone who greatly enjoys running, who puts in a lot of mileage on a regular basis, who plans his or her life around running, and who moves at more than just a jogging pace. I know that this doesn't create a crystal clear demarcation line between runners and non-runners, but I'm okay with that. As I said, I don't get hung up on making sharp distinctions in cases like this.0 -
I know a guy who regularly goes out for a 5 mile run, 4 or 5 days a week. He runs around an 8:30 mile for those 5 miles. He doesn't consider himself a runner. Why? Because he says he just goes out for exercise.
I have a friend who is barely capable of maintaining 11:00 miles, but I consider her a runner. Why? Because she goes out for the specific enjoyment of going for a run.
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When I started wishing I was running on my off days I had to come to the conclusion that I am a runner.0
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I think I'm begrudgingly finding myself more and more into the category- mostly because I find myself saying things like
"I planned for 3 and ran 4- oh well whoops"
and
"it was just the half" (I've never run a full- but I still consider it "just a half")0 -
I think I'm begrudgingly finding myself more and more into the category- mostly because I find myself saying things like
"I planned for 3 and ran 4- oh well whoops"
and
"it was just the half" (I've never run a full- but I still consider it "just a half")
Yeah. That feeling when you're trying to bump your long run up by another mile and end up adding 3...0 -
@JoRocka Baby wipes here too. Or at least willing to sacrifice a sock.
I am officially a runner- I have scars from thigh chaffing and blisters, and one wired toenail.
I think the OP should take up running. You'll know when it defines you.
I do consider myself to be a runner simply because its an activity I do regularly. I run atleast 3 times a week about 5K be it on a treadmill or outside( prefer the latter). I don't particularly enjoy long distance running because I am a sprinter by nature but there is a feeling I get after a run that is so worth the effort.0 -
This thread is making me impatient for my run tonight.0
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I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
That friend of yours was once at a point where 5 miles was an unattainable distance.0 -
tincanonastring wrote: »starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
That friend of yours was once at a point where 5 miles was an unattainable distance.
Good point. Never really thought about it like that0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
no one working on improving themselves and their passion is a tool. And anyone who judges you for doing so is the real tool.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
That friend of yours was once at a point where 5 miles was an unattainable distance.
Good point. Never really thought about it like that
That's the great thing about running. It doesn't matter if you can run 1 mile or have worked up to 20, the sense of achievement when you manage to go further/faster/something that was once difficult feels comfortable is the same.
Whenever I've taken part in Parkruns or races, the sense of community is great.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
no one working on improving themselves and their passion is a tool. And anyone who judges you for doing so is the real tool.
where is the "like" button for this comment!!!
The topic of this thread captured my attention... So after reading through this, I can positively clarify that I am a runner.. Any way you call it or slice or dice it, I am a Runner.
I am somebody... 0 -
When is one considered a runner? Or rather when would you consider yourself a runner?
I consider anyone who has either succeeded in sh*tting themselves in the middle of a run, or at least been forced to pull over and take care of the problem behind a bush, to be a real runner. Until you have that experience, I am not sure I can call you a "real runner" yet.
Well I guess I've earned my brown wings... BTW, using a hydration pack as a bidet works better than using leaves.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
That friend of yours was once at a point where 5 miles was an unattainable distance.
Good point. Never really thought about it like that
I read a post on farcebook last night that was an opportunity to do a race in a few weeks time, and my response was I can run a half then, no problem. I find myself in the company of people saying the same thing about marathons and ultras. To me they're proper runners, I'm just a bit of a hack.
It's all relative.0 -
Self deprecation seem to been pretty common among folks making what they consider to be big changes. Folks who were never really in shape have a hard time now seeing themselves as athletic. Folks who never in a million years thought they would run have a hard time accepting "I"m a runner". It just doesn't fit their internal dialogue.
Similarly, you see it a lot in the success forums when someone posts something like "I lost 50 pounds, I know it's not as much as others and I'm not a success yet but I am happy with this so far". They minimize their accomplishment because it's just a hard mindset to change. Hell, I'm now 124 lbs and I deadlift just under twice my body weight and I still have a hard time calling myself fit.
I know this isn't the case for everyone but I do think it's pretty common.0 -
I am a Husband and a Daddy who runs. Not a runner, but a Husband and a Daddy. I run, I garden, I play golf (in reality golf plays me), I go to work, I do all sorts of things. I am not an all sort of thingser, I am a Husband and a Daddy.
Thus, my answer to the original question.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
no one working on improving themselves and their passion is a tool. And anyone who judges you for doing so is the real tool.
Thank you for this xx
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I would be a runner if I'd stop getting this stupid stress fractures every time I run on pavement.0
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People can call themselves what they'd like. I don't put a distance or speed requirement on it.
I don't consider myself a runner because I dislike running. I do it a few times a week, 4 or 5 miles at a time, at a reasonable pace, but it's a necessary evil. I feel like there should at least be some element of enjoyment to use the "runner" label.0 -
Before I ran, I didn't understand the term the same way as I do now. I always thought of running and jogging as distinctly separate terms. What I always called running is actually sprinting, a specific (but not exclusive) type of running. Jogging is another form of running. I don't like to run as much as I enjoy things like hiking, but I always have trouble finding time for either. I consider myself a hiker because I feel naturally comfortable with the activity... even if I don't get to do it as often as I want to. I do not consider myself a runner, despite running on occasion, because it doesn't feel natural to me.0
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People can call themselves what they'd like. I don't put a distance or speed requirement on it.
I don't consider myself a runner because I dislike running. I do it a few times a week, 4 or 5 miles at a time, at a reasonable pace, but it's a necessary evil. I feel like there should at least be some element of enjoyment to use the "runner" label.
This has just made me wonder if there are any professional runners, say like one of the famous Marathon winners who actually dislikes running. Perhaps one who does it just because they can win it.
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People can call themselves what they'd like. I don't put a distance or speed requirement on it.
I don't consider myself a runner because I dislike running. I do it a few times a week, 4 or 5 miles at a time, at a reasonable pace, but it's a necessary evil. I feel like there should at least be some element of enjoyment to use the "runner" label.
This has just made me wonder if there are any professional runners, say like one of the famous Marathon winners who actually dislikes running. Perhaps one who does it just because they can win it.
Not sure about marathon runners, but I have it on good authority that Usain Bolt only runs because he's fast. He would much rather be pursuing his lifelong dream of being a llama farmer.0 -
starryeyedsnoozer wrote: »I run 3-4 times a week. I've only been doing it a few months and I'm horribly slow. I really love it though (although at the time I think I'm going to die)
I can't refer to myself as a "runner" because I'm worried that if I do people who run marathons will consider it a huge insult to be bracketed with such a rookie as me, or mock me. Last night I was chatting to a good friend of mine who runs marathons, and I could feel myself getting redder and redder while he asked me about my run that day (it was 5 miles, so fairly respectable for me... But a mere warm up for him)
So I just say "I run" or even "I jog" that way, I look less of a tool.
Hey - I run marathons sometimes and I think 5 miles is a perfectly respectable run. And I never warm up for more than three miles 0 -
enterdanger wrote: »I would be a runner if I'd stop getting this stupid stress fractures every time I run on pavement.
I don't know your pain specifically, though I have had my share of constant shin splints for years where I thought I'd had stress fractures many times the pain was so severe. I kept giving up on running, depressed that I couldn't do it.. Then return to it months later for another go only to have the same thing keep happening. If I make it through a run now, no matter how long or short, I am on top of the world for it because I remember how shite it feels to be told "maybe it's just not worth doing".
I am really sorry to hear about your stress fractures.. It honestly sucks not being able to run and I hope you make it back out there soon!0 -
When is one considered a runner? Or rather when would you consider yourself a runner?
I consider anyone who has either succeeded in sh*tting themselves in the middle of a run, or at least been forced to pull over and take care of the problem behind a bush, to be a real runner. Until you have that experience, I am not sure I can call you a "real runner" yet.
If that is the definition of a real runner I can say that I am not and never will be a real runner. I am not "that" dedicated.
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I'm running my third half marathon this coming Sunday, have quite a few 'First place in my age group' medals/trophies and just recently began to feel like I MIGHT be a runner. I'm not fast (33 min 5K, but I am a 60 yr old female), but I run regularly, start to jones bad when I can't (like this week on my taper). I guess I might be a runner....0
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