When are you considered to be a runner?

Is it a certain distance? pace? # of days per week you do it?


I ran just a little over a 5k today with a 10:17 average. Today got me thinking
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Replies

  • aplhabetacheesecake
    aplhabetacheesecake Posts: 181 Member
    if you run you are a runner
  • smithed812
    smithed812 Posts: 289
    Your first run.
  • llaurenmarie
    llaurenmarie Posts: 1,260 Member
    if you run you are a runner
    .
  • SusanUW83
    SusanUW83 Posts: 152 Member
    Fast people say there is a difference between "running" and "jogging" but slow people know there isn't. There is a difference between running and walking, certainly -- so if you aren't walking -- and you'd have to be a speedy walker to do a 10:17 walking pace, you are certainly a runner. I've been running since 1976, sometimes 2-3x a week, sometimes more -- but I'm slower than most people no matter how much I train. Go for it!
  • FFfitgirl
    FFfitgirl Posts: 369 Member
    Most of my workouts are running with crossfit not just straight running.
    This was the only "run" this week.
  • charming12u
    charming12u Posts: 49 Member
    When you willingly get up early to go for a run. When you pay money for the opportunity to go run on the road. When running shoes out number regular shoes. When you devote a drawer just to tech shirts. When it's crappy weather and you still get out there and move.

    I figure if you are off the couch and moving it counts.

    I was a slow runner for a few years (didn't start until I was almost 30, and running on ankles that shouldn't be run on), and blew up my ankle this past fall. But, my speed walk is faster than some runners. Still going to count myself as a runner :)
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,292 Member
    When you either run regularly, or miss doing it regularly.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    after you take your first step.
  • PennyVonDread
    PennyVonDread Posts: 432 Member
    I think that's up to the individual to decide. If you decide and feel you are a runner, then you are. When does one know which gender they identify with the most? Or how they define their ethnicity? I don't believe there is a set standard in measureable values because it's probably a personal feeling of identifying with a group. I considered myself a runner when I ran my first mile. That was my first sign that I could do it. I didn't try to run for health/fun until I was 17.
  • llaurenmarie
    llaurenmarie Posts: 1,260 Member
    I think that's up to the individual to decide. If you decide and feel you are a runner, then you are. When does one know which gender they identify with the most? Or how they define their ethnicity? I don't believe there is a set standard in measureable values because it's probably a personal feeling of identifying with a group. I considered myself a runner when I ran my first mile. That was my first sign that I could do it. I didn't try to run for health/fun until I was 17.
    Agree
  • FFfitgirl
    FFfitgirl Posts: 369 Member
    I don't run regularly cause I do crossfit6 days.
    When I do run its around 2-3 1/4 miles. I guess since I don't do several days a week I don't really think of myself as a runner
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I don't run regularly cause I do crossfit6 days.
    When I do run its around 2-3 1/4 miles. I guess since I don't do several days a week I don't really think of myself as a runner

    If you don't think of yourself as one, then you aren't. It is really just up to you. There is no criteria.

    I'll be honest, I never counted my CrossFIt running as "running", my other runs were what made me a runner. That doesn't mean you can't, I just didn't.
  • Eric_DeCastro
    Eric_DeCastro Posts: 767 Member
    the day you lace up your shoes and get out and run. you are a runner.
  • jamesolmos
    jamesolmos Posts: 35 Member
    Great answer!
  • jamesolmos
    jamesolmos Posts: 35 Member
    Fast people say there is a difference between "running" and "jogging" but slow people know there isn't. There is a difference between running and walking, certainly -- so if you aren't walking -- and you'd have to be a speedy walker to do a 10:17 walking pace, you are certainly a runner. I've been running since 1976, sometimes 2-3x a week, sometimes more -- but I'm slower than most people no matter how much I train. Go for it!

    Great answer!
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    When you put it on facebook. Nothing's official unless you put it on facebook.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    When you put it on facebook. Nothing's official unless you put it on facebook.


    I'm going to change my answer to this ^

    :laugh:
  • Eric_DeCastro
    Eric_DeCastro Posts: 767 Member
    When you put it on facebook. Nothing's official unless you put it on facebook.


    I'm going to change my answer to this ^

    :laugh:

    yes forget my answer and I'm changing it to this. lol
  • FFfitgirl
    FFfitgirl Posts: 369 Member
    When you put it on facebook. Nothing's official unless you put it on facebook.


    I'm going to change my answer to this ^

    :laugh:

    yes forget my answer and I'm changing it to this. lol

    Does Map my run automatically posting it count? lol
  • CkepiJinx
    CkepiJinx Posts: 613 Member
    When you put it on facebook. Nothing's official unless you put it on facebook.


    I'm going to change my answer to this ^

    :laugh:

    yes forget my answer and I'm changing it to this. lol

    Does Map my run automatically posting it count? lol

    If you have taken the time to set up map my run and link it to your Facebook your probably a runner :laugh: :wink:
  • Shropshire1959
    Shropshire1959 Posts: 982 Member
    the day you lace up your shoes and get out and run. you are a runner.

    Bugger so barefoot running isn't really running damn :tongue: :tongue: :tongue: :tongue:
  • BevLandgren
    BevLandgren Posts: 1 Member
    I counted myself a runner on the first day of my couch to 5k training, just 4 weeks ago. I will be 56 this summer, I am carrying 50 extra pounds, if I can anyone can.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    The second you put on your shoes and step outside to go for a run, or step on the treadmill you are a runner.
  • Shropshire1959
    Shropshire1959 Posts: 982 Member
    You do NOT need shoes to be a runner
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    When you go out and run because you want to
  • lisaabenjamin
    lisaabenjamin Posts: 665 Member
    When you willingly get up early to go for a run. When you pay money for the opportunity to go run on the road. When running shoes out number regular shoes. When you devote a drawer just to tech shirts. When it's crappy weather and you still get out there and move.

    LOL, I don't necessarily agree that you have to have done all this to call yourself "a runner", but it made me laugh! I'm doing a challenge to run 5km every day for 50 days and it has turned me into a crazy running person!

    I was up at 6.30am this morning for my run (something I would never have dreamed of doing before!!), I've entered several races including a 10K coming up in June, I have a whole drawer full of running gear (and have been running so often recently that I put ALL of it in the wash last night - it still wasn't quite dry this morning which meant I had to run in damp gear...bonkers!!). And yesterday I was slogging in torrential rain.

    Yup, I'm a runner!
  • dperret1975
    dperret1975 Posts: 21 Member
    I have run many 10k's, half marathons and1 marathon but since I got my injury last September
    I do not lace up my shoes:cry:
    I don't go out in the rain :cry:
    I don't step on the treadmill :cry:
    I do not pay to run on the road (anymore):cry:
    I do not jog or run every day or every week for that matter:cry:

    but I still consider myself a runner...........:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

    I really think there is no definition for "a runner". It's up to you to consider yourself a runner or not.........:wink:
  • oneoddsock
    oneoddsock Posts: 321 Member
    When you willingly get up early to go for a run. When you pay money for the opportunity to go run on the road. When running shoes out number regular shoes. When you devote a drawer just to tech shirts. When it's crappy weather and you still get out there and move.

    LOL, I don't necessarily agree that you have to have done all this to call yourself "a runner", but it made me laugh! I'm doing a challenge to run 5km every day for 50 days and it has turned me into a crazy running person!

    I was up at 6.30am this morning for my run (something I would never have dreamed of doing before!!), I've entered several races including a 10K coming up in June, I have a whole drawer full of running gear (and have been running so often recently that I put ALL of it in the wash last night - it still wasn't quite dry this morning which meant I had to run in damp gear...bonkers!!). And yesterday I was slogging in torrential rain.

    Yup, I'm a runner!

    That sounds bonkers indeed - I want to be like you! I am nowhere near that dedicated... I tend to head for home when it starts raining.
  • GillianMcK
    GillianMcK Posts: 401 Member
    When you willingly get up early to go for a run. When you pay money for the opportunity to go run on the road. When running shoes out number regular shoes. When you devote a drawer just to tech shirts. When it's crappy weather and you still get out there and move.

    LOL, I don't necessarily agree that you have to have done all this to call yourself "a runner", but it made me laugh! I'm doing a challenge to run 5km every day for 50 days and it has turned me into a crazy running person!

    I was up at 6.30am this morning for my run (something I would never have dreamed of doing before!!), I've entered several races including a 10K coming up in June, I have a whole drawer full of running gear (and have been running so often recently that I put ALL of it in the wash last night - it still wasn't quite dry this morning which meant I had to run in damp gear...bonkers!!). And yesterday I was slogging in torrential rain.

    Yup, I'm a runner!

    That sounds bonkers indeed - I want to be like you! I am nowhere near that dedicated... I tend to head for home when it starts raining.

    Nah the rain cools you down (and if you've not been running fast you can pretend it's sweat).

    I'm glad I'm not the only one with moer running shoes than normal shoes, more running bras than normal bra's and have more t-shirts from events that I've completed than I've bought!!!
    Need to add in when you start entering events just because you want a t-shirt!!!

    None of these actually make you a 'runner' one foot in front of the other with a split second where both feet are off the ground is the difference between running and walking, enjoy it, would like to say it's free but the amount of money I spend on trainers and kit it really isn't!!!
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    Check this link: http://www.runningintheusa.com/More/YouMightBeARunner.aspx

    One of my favorites is about a 5k run being a warmup.