to all the real runners
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Honestly,if you give your best effort in running (no matter what pace)then you're a runner.0
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It's actually kind of interesting to think about...I lift primarily for the purpose of my fitness and not to much further end than that at this point...I perform many of the same movements as a body builder or a power lifter, but I would not consider myself either of those things...I simply lift for fitness.
I would similarly think there is a difference between someone who runs for the sake of their fitness, whether that be on a treadmill or on the road and a "runner" who participates in events and works at a competitive level that goes beyond just being kinda fit.
I personally wouldn't put a premium on competitive distance as I'm lucky if I can knock out 3 miles without needing about two weeks of recovery of my posterior tibial tendons, but I'm sure within the running community there are many layers of such snobbery. I know certainly within the cycling community, the layers of snobbery are tremendous...I ride around 100 miles per week and participate in events but there are any number of cyclists who just kinda sigh and nod and roll there eyes because I have no interest in doing more than 50 miles at a pop....
Fitness can be a strange thing indeed.
don't even get me started on cyclists. bunch of snobs in their pretty little matching outfits.
It's a pretty broad spectrum...CX riders are pretty awesome and you just want to hang out with everyone and drink beer afterwards, same for Mt riders...Crit riders are the worst and you just want to accidentally nudge all of them with your elbow...0 -
Honestly, I'd never really given it much thought.
I know there are those who think you have to have run a marathon to be a "real runner" , personally I prefer a more inclusive definition - to me it's a state of mind. If you think of yourself as a runner and you actually run ) indoors or out) then you're a runner.
agreed... on the marathon part. i get a lot of people asking me if i'm doing an iron man or a marathon, the holy grails of endurance sports.* when i tell them that i don't have immediate plans for doing either, they look at me funny. like, whats the point then?
*ultra-marathons are dumb.
In principal, I agree with you, however, I disagree with the last statement. Ultra marathons are not dumb. If they aren't for you, then that's cool. Personally, I'm just starting to do them and they are not dumb. They're hard and they require a crapload of training and endurance and if they are on trails, they are a whole different animal than the road. My next one is in two weeks and I'm hopeful to do well.0 -
Hrm, I run primarily for the weight loss benefits. I run outdoors primarily even if the weather is inclement.
Am I a "real" runner or a "Pinocchio"? (Y' know...only half real) :laugh:0 -
Why the heck judge anyone at all. Run your own race.
i do run my own race. often times quite slowly. sometimes very fast.
That's great! But NEVER on a treadmill. lol.
I'm teasing you. I ran for the first time last night in my neighborhood using c25k. I have not run in 15ish years. My neighborhood is very hilly and for a brief moment I WISHED I was on a darn treadmill instead. I am concerned that if I start out running up and down hills I could injure myself. I'm having a hard time finding level and semi level terrain. I've torn ligaments in both ankles within the past 8 years and I am very stiff and clumsy sometimes. 0 -
I wouldn't say they are not a runner. To be honest, a runner to me is someone who trains for some form of race...whether it's 5k or marathon. I personally can't run on a treadmill because I find it a kind of torturous hell to go absolutely nowhere. I need to be out there seeing the world and seeing how far I've gone.
But it's all semantics...to be honest as long as someone is working towards being healthy, I'm happy.
Im sure some would say that a "real runner" feels no need to race - they only run for the pure unadulterated pleasure of the run itself.
to paraphrase one of my favorite movies... "then how do you measure yourself with other runners?"
"with a ruler."
Which is fine. *LIKE*
If you want to make sub-comparisons within, based on distance or speed or location or age or what have you, more power to you. But to strip one of the very identity of being a runner, just because they don't run just like you do? I just don't think there is any benefit to that.0 -
I ran 3 years on a treadmill before even running outside. I didn't really consider myself a runner. Once I ran outside I couldn't set foot on one again. It just felt weird. I'm a trail runner exclusively now, but cheers to everyone that runs. I love when people say I don't go that far in my car. Well get off your *kitten* and move. Once you get that feeling, it's hard to go back.0
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Given the choice of running on a treadmill vs. not running, I will stay inside and do "Zumba". Its just too boring. This is MY preference. If someone chooses to run exclusively inside? More power to you. I couldnt do it.
On a side note, the first time I felt like a "real runner" she. When I had to crap in a corn field 6 miles into a 9 mile long run.
Dem calves! also, you win the internet for this comment. Hilarious! 0 -
I was more or less responding to your question with another question, not saying it was your thoughts :flowerforyou:
Why not? Obviously there are WAAAY different skills levels and goals of runners, so why does it have to be so specific?If you run, you're a runner. I don't think theres any need to further divide...
so you're saying that a marathon runner and a person doing three miles on three treadmill are the same?
ETA: I hate deadmill running, but I think if it works for someone then why should it matter?
i'm not saying it matters. i'm asking if it matters to people.
Awesome way to put it!There's runners, and then there are racers. Not all runners are racers, but all racers are runners.0 -
you are pleasant.why would you even CONSIDER running ONLY on a treadmill?
that's dumb.0 -
Honestly, I'd never really given it much thought.
I know there are those who think you have to have run a marathon to be a "real runner" , personally I prefer a more inclusive definition - to me it's a state of mind. If you think of yourself as a runner and you actually run ) indoors or out) then you're a runner.
agreed... on the marathon part. i get a lot of people asking me if i'm doing an iron man or a marathon, the holy grails of endurance sports.* when i tell them that i don't have immediate plans for doing either, they look at me funny. like, whats the point then?
*ultra-marathons are dumb.
In principal, I agree with you, however, I disagree with the last statement. Ultra marathons are not dumb. If they aren't for you, then that's cool. Personally, I'm just starting to do them and they are not dumb. They're hard and they require a crapload of training and endurance and if they are on trails, they are a whole different animal than the road. My next one is in two weeks and I'm hopeful to do well.
my apologizes. i added that last line for some comedic flair. one book that i credit getting me really into running was "born to run" by christopher mcdougall. i loved the whole zen aspect of running long distances. in a way, i called ultra-marathons dumb because they are soooooooo out of my comfort zone right now. maybe one day, but probably not.0 -
Okay. We're all runners.
But if you have never EVER, EVER run outside....
You're not a REAL runner.
I run inside exclusively. I am a runner. Come at me bro.
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Hrm, I run primarily for the weight loss benefits. I run outdoors primarily even if the weather is inclement.
Am I a "real" runner or a "Pinocchio"? (Y' know...only half real) :laugh:
NEVER LIE DURING YOUR RUNS.
You'll have quite the balance issues.0 -
I ran 3 years on a treadmill before even running outside. I didn't really consider myself a runner. Once I ran outside I couldn't set foot on one again. It just felt weird. I'm a trail runner exclusively now, but cheers to everyone that runs. I love when people say I don't go that far in my car. Well get off your *kitten* and move. Once you get that feeling, it's hard to go back.
As I mentioned, I ran last night for the first time in 15 or so years and it nearly killed me. BUT, I felt soooooo good when I finished. I was on cloud 9. I don't think I ever wanna stop.0 -
Careful with the downhill running. Here are some tips:Why the heck judge anyone at all. Run your own race.
i do run my own race. often times quite slowly. sometimes very fast.
That's great! But NEVER on a treadmill. lol. I'm teasing you. I ran for the first time last night in my neighborhood using c25k. I have not run in 15ish years. My neighborhood is very hilly and for a brief moment I WISHED I was on a darn treadmill instead. I am concerned that if I start out running up and down hills I could injure myself. I'm having a hard time finding level and semi level terrain. I've torn ligaments in both ankles within the past 8 years and I am very stiff and clumsy sometimes.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/art-downhill-running
and
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/three-tips-for-running-downhill0 -
Okay. We're all runners.
But if you have never EVER, EVER run outside....
You're not a REAL runner.
I run inside exclusively. I am a runner. Come at me bro.
but WHY?0 -
Most unusual online. Kudos for the first sentence.my apologizes. i added that last line for some comedic flair. one book that i credit getting me really into running was "born to run" by christopher mcdougall. i loved the whole zen aspect of running long distances. in a way, i called ultra-marathons dumb because they are soooooooo out of my comfort zone right now. maybe one day, but probably not.0 -
you are pleasant.why would you even CONSIDER running ONLY on a treadmill?
that's dumb.
I feel like that was sarcasm.
In my defense.... I have no defense. Go run outside. Go run outside TOO.0 -
Okay. We're all runners.
But if you have never EVER, EVER run outside....
You're not a REAL runner.
I run inside exclusively. I am a runner. Come at me bro.
but WHY?
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you are pleasant.why would you even CONSIDER running ONLY on a treadmill?
that's dumb.
I feel like that was sarcasm.
In my defense.... I have no defense. Go run outside. Go run outside TOO.
leave crank alone. she's had some major injuries the last few years, and does what she can and has made some amazing progress despite it all.0 -
Okay. We're all runners.
But if you have never EVER, EVER run outside....
You're not a REAL runner.
I run inside exclusively. I am a runner. Come at me bro.
but WHY?
I wouldn't consider someone who runs on a treadmill to be a runner, they are more of a bounce in place-er, kind of like someone who does Zumba toning weights calling themselves a weight lifter...0 -
you are pleasant.why would you even CONSIDER running ONLY on a treadmill?
that's dumb.
I feel like that was sarcasm.
In my defense.... I have no defense. Go run outside. Go run outside TOO.
leave crank alone. she's had some major injuries the last few years, and does what she can and has made some amazing progress despite it all.
Injuries suck. Especially since for some people they're not just physically. That torn ankle I've had to deal with for the last three months... aloha depression, self-doubt, restlessness, mental weakness!
I actually have super great respect for anyone who does long distances on the tread mill. Such mental strength!
ULTRAMARATHONERS THOUGH. you guys are amazing.0 -
Okay. We're all runners.
But if you have never EVER, EVER run outside....
You're not a REAL runner.
I run inside exclusively. I am a runner. Come at me bro.
but WHY?
I wouldn't consider someone who runs on a treadmill to be a runner, they are more of a bounce in place-er, kind of like someone who does Zumba toning weights calling themselves a weight lifter...
Luckily your opinion matters nothing to me. :laugh:0 -
I wouldn't consider someone who runs on a treadmill to be a runner, they are more of a bounce in place-er, kind of like someone who does Zumba toning weights calling themselves a weight lifter...
HAHHAHAHAHAHA.
Can we please all agree to call treadmill-runners 'bounce in place-ers' from now on?
I'm so down to do that.0 -
If you run, you're a runner. I don't think theres any need to further divide...
so you're saying that a marathon runner and a person doing three miles on three treadmill are the same?why would you even CONSIDER running ONLY on a treadmill?
that's dumb.
Whoa there, Judgy McJudgertons. Some people have to motivate themselves to run at all...if they're doing it, what do you care where? And no, I don't think someone doing three miles on a treadmill is the same as a marathon runner...but someone doing three miles outside isn't the same either.
Are both feet off the supporting surface (whether that be a treadmill band, asphalt, a trail, or pavement) at the same time? Then I think it's running...whether the person calls themselves a runner might be a different question, but I doubt they care what YOU call them...0 -
Although I've been running as a form of exercise for years, I never felt like a "runner" until I stepped it up a notch. I started running more and more frequently, paying attention to form, reading about how to improve, racing, and hitting PRs I never thought I could achieve. There was more of a methodology involved.
I've taken quite a few kickboxing classes in an MMA studio. It's fun, but the level of commitment isn't there for me. No matter how often I go, I wouldn't consider myself a "kickboxer."
Similarly, I've been weight lifting with a trainer for 2 years. I'm just now starting to see breakthroughs in that area of my fitness and am learning how to make improvements on my own. I'm beginning to see myself as a"weight lifter."
For me, it has to do with level of training, knowledge, and expertise rather than a chosen venue.0 -
I wouldn't consider someone who runs on a treadmill to be a runner, they are more of a bounce in place-er, kind of like someone who does Zumba toning weights calling themselves a weight lifter...
You mean... I'm not a weight lifter, then? But technically, it's LIFTING WEIGHTS. :sad:
Real runners are people who run. Location is irrelevant.0 -
I find that when i run on the treadmill i don't feel as productive or stress relieved as when i run outside. there is something about being outside running completely in your element that the treadmill doesn't offer. but to each their own, and at least they are doing it and bettering their own lives.0
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I read all four pages and didn't notice if anyone mentioned this, but maybe someone like me would be uncomfortable running outside due to their size and low fitness level? I mean, when you think of a runner, you imagine someone lean and toned and really graceful as they move.do you ever find yourself in a conversation with someone who says they run, only to find out that it's only on the treadmill? do you immediately dismiss them as not being a real runner?
i'm not talking about jumping on the treadmill when the weather is too extreme to run outside, or for a warm up to cross/strength train. i mean the people that drive to the gym or go to their basement/garage/spare bedroom to only run on a treadmill 365 days a year.
I've heard plenty of horror stories of people, who are not small, just starting out, getting hateful looks from others, nasty comments being tossed their way, and even having garbage chucked at them while they try to run.
Maybe they feel safer inside on a treadmill in their own home, rather than going outside where people can see them? My husband goes with me on most of my walks, and whenever I jog at all, its with him because I feel safer with him there. If I had a treadmill at home, I'd probably run a lot more on it and as I got smaller, maybe be brave enough to join the "real runners" outside.
I feel like indoors/outdoors, no matter where you do it, if you are always moving at a pace faster than a walk than you can be considered a runner.0 -
And if I saw you in your running mode out on a street or in the gym on the treadmill, without being aware of your whole back story, I'd consider you a runner. Or if I was a beginner stepping into the MMA studio and I saw you doing your kickboxing thing, I'd admire your skills because mine are non-existent; you'd be a kickboxer to me.Although I've been running as a form of exercise for years, I never felt like a "runner" until I stepped it up a notch. I started running more and more frequently, paying attention to form, reading about how to improve, racing, and hitting PRs I never thought I could achieve. There was more of a methodology involved.
I've taken quite a few kickboxing classes in an MMA studio. It's fun, but the level of commitment isn't there for me. No matter how often I go, I wouldn't consider myself a "kickboxer."0
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