I am a runner damn it!!! Rant

124

Replies

  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    I do this too. I'm doing a half marathon in a couple of weeks and I'll tell people I'm running the half marathon and then go back and correct myself and say, well I'm running it with a lot of walking too.

    I do this on all my races that I had to walk. I was quite proud the first marathon that I ran the entire way. I was even more proud when I was able to RACE my last one.
  • Lane1012
    Lane1012 Posts: 211 Member
    I agree with the whole thought process of "if you run you're a runner" .. the question for me is why do it if you hate it? I'm sure there are other cardio options you could enjoy (my wife loves Zumba). Or maybe it's a love/hate thing?

    Regardless, running is a very personal experience because it's just you .. and only you have the power to define yourself as one or not .. don't give up that power!

    Happy running!
  • DMRun
    DMRun Posts: 25
    OK , I have not read all the replies, but the ones I have read have all supported the original post - and I have to say I completely agree!! I run/walk - John Stanton recommends it, Jeff Galloway recommends it...and they are pros. I've done a 1/2 Marathon this way and there were many many run/walkers. I have no intentions of being an elite runner, I compete against myself, and I enter events to keep me motivated - so what does it matter how I choose to finish/compete?? As one other post mentioned - often the run/walk pace is not far off pace than some who choose to run the entire distance.

    We're moving, we run.... WE ARE RUNNERS ;)
  • StartingAnewDay
    StartingAnewDay Posts: 319 Member
    I'm not a runner.. I can't run for crap.. but I COULD be.. like if there was serial killer with a butcher knife behind me or something.. I COULD be a runner!! I REALLY could!! :grumble:
  • blittle2
    blittle2 Posts: 94 Member
    I hear ya. I run intervals and I'm darn proud of it. If you are getting out there and doing it then you are a "real runner".

    I had a coworker say when I told him my time, which is around a 11:30 average mile, that i was a jogger. It made me mad, get your shoes on and lets go "jog" buddy.

    Don't let anyone deminish what you do. You are a runner, you are exercising and you are getting it done. There is no definition anywhere that says, you must run this fast to be a runner. To be a runner you must run.
  • stacygayle
    stacygayle Posts: 349 Member
    I run the same way too. Intervals. I would love to be able to run a mile without stopping but have not been able to yet. I do join in 5Ks but i don't run the entire time. I live in Tracktown USA and a lot of people around here walk/run the races even the Eugene Marathon. I don't even want to walk 26.1 miles so I will never join a marathon :happy:
  • BruteSquad
    BruteSquad Posts: 373 Member
    I don't run, I am NOT a runner. I was built to go very short distances very fast. I am over 350lbs, but can catch about anyone in 40 yards. I have always thought the elitist runners were a joke...not people that can run long distance or marathons, but those that think it makes them better than you. Not one of them that I have met can pick up 400 lbs......but I can. Does that make me better than them? Only at picking up 400 lbs. They are better than me at running a very long distance and good for them.

    But all my happy stuff is here and I don't need to run a marathon to find it.
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
    You are also apparently a puppy puncher LOL sorry had to giggle at that. It's as if this was written just for you so here you go.



    YOU ARE A RUNNER the minute you set foot outdoors and go faster than a walk. Forget all the stuff about jogging, or how fast you have to be, just do it. Have fun out there!
  • momofJandA
    momofJandA Posts: 1,035 Member
    I had such a mental blocki the first time someone actually called me a runner- I was like "no I run but I'm not a runner" I was under that elitist mindset and it was holding me back. Now I am a runner and I do compete and I do place and you know what . . . sometimes I walk!
  • trijoe
    trijoe Posts: 729 Member
    Do you know what else I hate? When you are showing off your participant's medal after just completing your very first 1/2 marathon and your asked " Did everyone get a medal?"......REALLY?????? Do not cheapen my experiece!!!!! I did do walk/run intervals! For 21kms!!!!!!! Did I just "run" my very first 1/2 marathon? Why yes, yes I did!!!! Good job to runners everywhere, if you run, you are a runner!!

    My answer:
    "Nope! Only those who finished the race earned finishers' medals."

    To me, you don't get a "participant's medal", you get a participant's T-shirt. You EARN the FINISHERS' medal.

    Congrats to all the finishers this season! You all ROCK!!!
  • tinattinat
    tinattinat Posts: 56 Member
    I started running last October with the C25k plan. I've done a few 5ks and 2 10ks and will be doing my first 1/2 this Sunday. So here's thing.....the first couple 5ks and the first 10k I did, I was DETERMINED to run the whole thing and NEVER, EVER walk because I thought it would negate all the "running" I did if I took a walk break. Stupid. Anyhoo, the 2nd 10k, (which was exactly 1 month after the first one, I decided to incorporate a few walk breaks because I am planning to do that for my half. I wanted to see how it would impact my "time". Guess what? I took walk breaks and still shaved over 2 FULL MINUTES off my time! And you wanna know something? I AM A RUNNER!!!! And you are, too!
  • cantjustcant
    cantjustcant Posts: 1,027 Member
    I AM A 200.2 POUND EX-SMOKER AND A FREAKING RUNNER!!!

    I did my first 5K in October and I ran 2 miles and walked one. I walked an 8K in November. I RAN a 5K on April 1st without stopping....On Sunday I completed the Big House Big Heart 10K in Ann Arbor Michigan! I didn't stop running the entire time. I was slow. I actually was running with two women that were walking most of the race. But when I ran through the tunnel and onto the University of Michigan football field and crossed the finish line on the 50 yard line I would have DARED you to deny my runner status! My time was 1:30:37 at a 14:30 minute mile pace.


    I AM A RUNNER!
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Do you know what else I hate? When you are showing off your participant's medal after just completing your very first 1/2 marathon and your asked " Did everyone get a medal?"......REALLY?????? Do not cheapen my experiece!!!!! I did do walk/run intervals! For 21kms!!!!!!! Did I just "run" my very first 1/2 marathon? Why yes, yes I did!!!! Good job to runners everywhere, if you run, you are a runner!!

    I have been guilty of this. Not because I was trying to say it wasn't a success but they said "my finishers medal" so my thought was "oh, everyone gets one?" She got all upset before I had a chance to say "that's cool, running that far is an accomplishment." I can't wait to get my first finishers metal and I think that anyone who runs a 1/2 marathon (heck even a 5k) deserves one. It's a big deal!

    and OP, yes, you ARE a runner! and keep on running

    I actually hate finisher's medals.
    I give them all to my daughter to play with.

    IMHO Medals should only be for podium placement. I'd much rather save $5 or what ever on entry fees than get a medal for finishing 5th in my AG.
  • peej76
    peej76 Posts: 1,250 Member
    Do you know what else I hate? When you are showing off your participant's medal after just completing your very first 1/2 marathon and your asked " Did everyone get a medal?"......REALLY?????? Do not cheapen my experiece!!!!! I did do walk/run intervals! For 21kms!!!!!!! Did I just "run" my very first 1/2 marathon? Why yes, yes I did!!!! Good job to runners everywhere, if you run, you are a runner!!

    My answer:
    "Nope! Only those who finished the race earned finishers' medals."

    To me, you don't get a "participant's medal", you get a participant's T-shirt. You EARN the FINISHERS' medal.

    Congrats to all the finishers this season! You all ROCK!!!
  • peej76
    peej76 Posts: 1,250 Member
    Excuse me, let me rephrase!! My FINISHER"S MEDAL!!! And I did finish!! And coming where I have came from I was proud to have that medal hung around my neck!!!!
  • peej76
    peej76 Posts: 1,250 Member
    Oh yeah, and thanks for reminding me this is why I stopped visiting this site!!!
  • prov31jd
    prov31jd Posts: 153 Member
    I'm so grateful for this post! I've been an interval runner for some time, and didn't even know it was called that . . . I was just doing what I could do! It's encouraging to hear that there are experts who recommend this is a healthier and more beneficial way to do it. I'll keep on with what came naturally!
  • andrea9873
    andrea9873 Posts: 171 Member
    I AM A 200.2 POUND EX-SMOKER AND A FREAKING RUNNER!!!

    I did my first 5K in October and I ran 2 miles and walked one. I walked an 8K in November. I RAN a 5K on April 1st without stopping....On Sunday I completed the Big House Big Heart 10K in Ann Arbor Michigan! I didn't stop running the entire time. I was slow. I actually was running with two women that were walking most of the race. But when I ran through the tunnel and onto the University of Michigan football field and crossed the finish line on the 50 yard line I would have DARED you to deny my runner status! My time was 1:30:37 at a 14:30 minute mile pace.


    I AM A RUNNER!

    Congratulations you ARE a runner! Don't give up! I'm doing my first 10K this Saturday!
  • sharonwitten
    sharonwitten Posts: 35
    You are a runner! Keep on truckin at however you feel is right for you. My daughter is training for a marathon and she does interval run walk to build up endurance. This is her 2nd one to do, so I figure she knows a little something about running. I am at a 4 mile run myself at 3.5 mph and I started out at only 2 miles at 3mph. The exercise chart tells me I am walking at 3.5 mph but I have to beg difference my legs are short so I am running, thank you very much.
  • butters1
    butters1 Posts: 1,540 Member
    "quote]
    Excuse me, let me rephrase!! My FINISHER"S MEDAL!!! And I did finish!! And coming where I have came from I was proud to have that medal hung around my neck!!!!
    [/quote]"

    The above will not quote correctly for me :(.

    Umm.....i think you totally misunderstood this answer. It can happen.:smile: Please Re-read, I think TriJoe was actually offering congrat's to you on the finish. The "answer" was to your nay-sayers. I suspect this because i'm overweight and it's taken me nearly a year to get to "run" a 5k. Trijoe has been a great encouragement for a lot of that time.


    For myself: Actually i don't consider myself a runner. Jogger maybe, on good days when the knees hold out. :bigsmile: When i can't- i walk...Really, I :heart: the experience and couldn't care less if someone thinks otherwise.
  • butters1
    butters1 Posts: 1,540 Member
    I AM A 200.2 POUND EX-SMOKER AND A FREAKING RUNNER!!!

    I did my first 5K in October and I ran 2 miles and walked one. I walked an 8K in November. I RAN a 5K on April 1st without stopping....On Sunday I completed the Big House Big Heart 10K in Ann Arbor Michigan! I didn't stop running the entire time. I was slow. I actually was running with two women that were walking most of the race. But when I ran through the tunnel and onto the University of Michigan football field and crossed the finish line on the 50 yard line I would have DARED you to deny my runner status! My time was 1:30:37 at a 14:30 minute mile pace.


    I AM A RUNNER!

    I think you are fantasic!
  • bodyrocks365
    bodyrocks365 Posts: 81
    If we are not running..what are we doing? I pick my legs up and put them down. :D
  • peej76
    peej76 Posts: 1,250 Member
    I totally did misunderstand, please forgive my totally off the wall overexaggeration! All is good!
  • trijoe
    trijoe Posts: 729 Member
    Oh, you're fine! And yes, all is good! You're a FINISHER!!! You're a WINNER!!! You're in inspiration! You're somebody worth admiring.

    Again, congratulations!
  • cantjustcant
    cantjustcant Posts: 1,027 Member
    Oh, you're fine! And yes, all is good! You're a FINISHER!!! You're a WINNER!!! You're in inspiration! You're somebody worth admiring.

    Again, congratulations!

    My dad owns a trophy shop here in town. He makes me medals and plaques for all four of the races I have done....I am going to have him make me one of those plaques with many engraved plates on it so I can have him engrave the race name/distance/date and my time on it! I am 44 years old. Give me shiny things!!!!
  • dcgonz
    dcgonz Posts: 174 Member
    So, you all should love this current ad, it's a little controversial in the "runners world"

    http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/book.html
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    So, you all should love this current ad, it's a little controversial in the "runners world"

    http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/book.html
    *splutters tea everywhere*

    Though I think I'd rather go with their " runners find bodies in detective dramas" definitions than the 7-minute mile one!
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    i agree with OP
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    So, you all should love this current ad, it's a little controversial in the "runners world"

    http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/book.html
    *splutters tea everywhere*

    Though I think I'd rather go with their " runners find bodies in detective dramas" definitions than the 7-minute mile one!

    ouch..that article.
    i JOG 5ks...runners can get over it. we all had to start someplace. i've seen plenty of 'runners' on treadmills (because i see them at the local 5ks), i see them using ipods too, and i think its article is a big advertisment for shoes.

    ps..edit..stoopid me you said it was an ad...
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I assumed the ad was tongue in cheek?
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