When do you call yourself a runner?

2

Replies

  • tpittsley77
    tpittsley77 Posts: 607 Member
    I would say you call yourself a true runner if you LOVE to run...it is your favorite cardio exercise, and if on a beautiful day, all you can think of is "what a great day for a run", then you are a true runner. You don't have to run a certain amount each week, run a marathon, or even completed a 5k; although, if you are a true runner, you will most likely have accomplished some of these thing because...well...you love you run :) If you couldn't tell already, I consider myself a runner because I get excited even talking about running. I just took a Zumba class tonight, and all through the class, all I could think of was "I should have just gone for a run".

    I love this answer. Thank you!
  • smileybooliz
    smileybooliz Posts: 193 Member
    Funny you would ask this question because I was wondering the same thing. I've only been trying my hand "running" for two weeks. I started jogging 50 steps the first day. Then walk. Then jog another 50. The next day I thought I bet I could go 100 steps...and I could. Then walk a bit and do another 100. The third day I tried 200 and did ok. I do better at doing 100 then walk a bit then another 100. I'm finding that even in the short amount of time I've been able to do more sets of 100 each day than I did the day before. Maybe eventually I'll be able to run without walking in between. Even if that doesn't happen for a while I'm at least out there trying. I think when I've lost more weight it will get a bit easier. I'm hefting quite a bit of baggage while I'm out there.... :embarassed:
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Do you run with out being chased by grizzly bears, zombies, cops or rabid dogs?

    If you run for the sake of enjoyment or fitness, you are a runner.

    Welcome to the club!

    For fitness, yes. I cannot say I am exactly enjoying it yet! Every time I am out there, mentally I am cursing myself out for deciding to take up running. Lol.... Then I hear the endomondo lady tell me my pace at my first mile, and it brings me joy that I am beating my last time. Then I get home and definitely experience that runner's high. Its the same with golf for me.

    So at what point do you start completely enjoying it?

    That depends upon you. I found I loved it more when I found people to run with. The social aspect is wonderful.
  • tpittsley77
    tpittsley77 Posts: 607 Member
    I'm not a runner and I doubt I ever will be.

    I run for a mile, walk a bit, and run for another mile, and walk a bit.. And I'll do that for an entire half-marathon or the running portion of an Olympic-distance triathlon.

    But I'm not a runner. Even if I go out and use my legs to cover a ten mile or fifteen mile distance. Even if I run or jog a part of that. I'm not a runner.

    I'm a ... well. I don't know. I'm not really an athlete, I'm not really a triathlete. I'm just someone who refuses to give up when I cross that start line.

    I'm stubborn - that's what I am.

    This is how I feel too! Definitely stubborn here. Born with a heart problem. Grew up being told all the things I shouldn't do. Now I have come to the conclusion that I need to decide what is right for me. I am running slowly. But building up good cardiovascular health while doing so. Stubborn I am.
  • tpittsley77
    tpittsley77 Posts: 607 Member
    Thank you everyone for all your stories and words of encouragement.
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    Do you run with out being chased by grizzly bears, zombies, cops or rabid dogs?

    If you run for the sake of enjoyment or fitness, you are a runner.

    Welcome to the club!

    ^ and this >
    oh another trigger was when I realized that I was getting cranky and irritable because I HADN'T gone running... when it seemed to become a NEED rather than an I have to...
  • wingshooter2004
    wingshooter2004 Posts: 27
    oh another trigger was when I realized that I was getting cranky and irritable because I HADN'T gone running... when it seemed to become a NEED rather than an I have to...

    That's it right there for me. When I started feeling like I need it is when I started calling myself a runner. Before that, I said I was a jogger.
  • ashleyjoy80
    ashleyjoy80 Posts: 18
    I would say you call yourself a true runner if you LOVE to run...it is your favorite cardio exercise, and if on a beautiful day, all you can think of is "what a great day for a run", then you are a true runner. You don't have to run a certain amount each week, run a marathon, or even completed a 5k; although, if you are a true runner, you will most likely have accomplished some of these thing because...well...you love you run :) If you couldn't tell already, I consider myself a runner because I get excited even talking about running. I just took a Zumba class tonight, and all through the class, all I could think of was "I should have just gone for a run".

    This is how I feel too! Running is where my heart is but I believe that anyone can be a runner. I just happen to be one of those that LOVES to run and I feel awful when I haven't been running.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    When you run! :)
  • HisPathDaily
    HisPathDaily Posts: 672 Member
    For me ... when it was zero degrees outside (Fahrenheit) and I was lacing up ... I knew :)

    BUT ... I was before that ... and so are you :)
  • markymarrkk
    markymarrkk Posts: 495 Member
    you are most definitely now a fcckin runner!! hell ya, congrats! keep it up, train hard, push yourself the extra half mile each time or beat your previous time by some seconds each time.. dig deep! you've chosen to put your feet down on that track on that pavement and kill your fcckn legs! you've already ran farther than the bccth *kitten* on the couch! be proud and fcck **** up.. Hollerrrrr!!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    If you can only run for 30 seconds before wanting to kill yourself, you're probably a really bad runner, but still a runner.

    So basically, if you run, you're a runner. :-p
  • danimal5867
    danimal5867 Posts: 390
    I think the turning point is the personal passion. I'll log about 6.25 miles 3 or 4 times per week but I only do it in intervals. I'll walk half a mile, then run a mile or two, walk some run some until I'm done. I still call myself a runner because I have a passion to run farther and faster.
  • gpstrucker
    gpstrucker Posts: 930 Member
    If you can only run for 30 seconds before wanting to kill yourself, you're probably a really bad runner, but still a runner.

    When did you see me run???
  • ChasingStarlight
    ChasingStarlight Posts: 424 Member
    I think if you enjoy it and plan to keep doing it, no matter how slow and short a distance you go, you can call yourself a runner. I love to see others out running, no matter their size or speed, in fact especially when they are not super slim.

    I realized I am a runner recently, even though I am slow, when:
    -my husband and I didn't go to a party on a sunday, because that is the day we take turns doing our long runs and we didn't want to miss out out running
    - we booked our holiday on the basis that we knew there was a nice national park to run in
    - I have no career plan, but I do have a 3 year running plan
  • shanndigity
    shanndigity Posts: 34 Member
    As long as you have 2 feet..you are a runner
  • tpittsley77
    tpittsley77 Posts: 607 Member
    I think if you enjoy it and plan to keep doing it, no matter how slow and short a distance you go, you can call yourself a runner. I love to see others out running, no matter their size or speed, in fact especially when they are not super slim.

    I realized I am a runner recently, even though I am slow, when:
    -my husband and I didn't go to a party on a sunday, because that is the day we take turns doing our long runs and we didn't want to miss out out running
    - we booked our holiday on the basis that we knew there was a nice national park to run in
    - I have no career plan, but I do have a 3 year running plan

    Haha I love this. No career plan, but have a 3 year running plan. That is true dedication!
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Do you run with out being chased by grizzly bears, zombies, cops or rabid dogs?

    If you run for the sake of enjoyment or fitness, you are a runner.

    Welcome to the club!

    Probably this...

    If you want me to run with you.. give a clown a knife and tell him to chase us! I hate running! LOL

    LMFAO! A little Circus Phobic?
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    For me ... when it was zero degrees outside (Fahrenheit) and I was lacing up ... I knew :)

    BUT ... I was before that ... and so are you :)

    Ran a race on New Years... -40 degrees with a strong windchill. Thank god it was only a 5K and they had Starbucks and Cinnebonne at the end.
  • ElviraCross
    ElviraCross Posts: 331 Member
    I think you're a runner now!
  • rachgolds
    rachgolds Posts: 75
    It's funny you ask that because I've been running for about a year and when I started I could barely run for a slow 10 minutes. Today I am training for a marathon and I just ran a personal far of 14 miles this morning, but sometimes I still don't feel like I'm a runner...go figure...
  • drgndancer
    drgndancer Posts: 426 Member
    For me ... when it was zero degrees outside (Fahrenheit) and I was lacing up ... I knew :)

    BUT ... I was before that ... and so are you :)

    Ran a race on New Years... -40 degrees with a strong windchill. Thank god it was only a 5K and they had Starbucks and Cinnebonne at the end.

    It was about 10 degrees Fahrenheit when I did the Yulefest 5k here in Boston. Then he had beer at the end. It was good beer, but I think that was the only time I have ever though "Coffee would have been so much better than beer." The race coordinator is promising a tent and hot beverages this year... And beer.
  • coreymo
    coreymo Posts: 25 Member
    Read my ticker....

    But I think when I got to the point in C25K when I was running straight without walking, I considered myself a runner.

    I like your ticker!
  • shoby68
    shoby68 Posts: 30
    I would say you are a runner when you are willing / wanting to run even when it is cold and wet.
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    The second you lace up your running shoes and hit the road!
  • angelalf1979
    angelalf1979 Posts: 244 Member
    YOU ARE A RUNNER ONCE YOU RUN. EVEN IF ITS FOR 30 SECONDS OR FOR 3 HOURS. YOU CANT FAKE RUNNING. :tongue:
  • rlmadrid
    rlmadrid Posts: 694 Member
    I have just gotten into running within the past few months. I ran my first mile ever in April before doing a dirty girl mud run. Then I stopped running. Now I am up to running 2.5 miles nonstop on my treadmill, mix in a bit if walking when on the road. Anyways, I still consider myself someone that is learning to run. At what point did you consider yourself a runner? What was the turning point for you?

    I called myself a runner from the start...when I started successfully. I think my mentality of "I should learn to run" left room for failure. "I am a runner" makes it a part of my identity. It's no longer something I aspire to do, and may do one day, it IS something I do. I may not run well, but I'm still a runner.

    Some people may be more strict on what should be defined, but this theory worked for me :smile:
  • DaveC29
    DaveC29 Posts: 232 Member
    ... When I lace up my shoes and head out! I am a runner (some days easier and faster than others, but a runner none the less!)
  • nermal6873
    nermal6873 Posts: 344 Member
    For me, I felt like a runner the first time (while completing C25K) I ran further than I was supposed to just because I wanted to.

    As far as when you start enjoying it, I still hate the first .5-.75 miles, but after that I love it!
  • NanzyBoek
    NanzyBoek Posts: 151 Member
    The day you put on your shoes and starting running more than one step.

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