to all the real runners
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I'm not a runner but a cyclist. Bicycle rider to be more specific. If someone told me they only did the stationary bike (recumbent, spinning, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't consider them a cyclist. I would consider them someone who prefers the bicycling simulation machines for cardio. I often do the running simulation called elliptical machines but I don't tell people I jog or run.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?
There's something about steering and pedaling while navigating traffic, rocks, holes, pedestrians, bicycles and other obstacles that makes it real. If you never ride into the wind or deal with rain or other weather, how is that being a cyclist?0 -
It's one thing judging internet people, but to judge people in real life by how often they run on a treadmill vs. outside? Hmm, weird.
I run outside and on the treadmill. I don't need to use the weather, time restrictions and the like to justify why I run on the treadmill either. I like running on the treadmill. I also like running outside. Big whup.I'm not a runner but a cyclist. Bicycle rider to be more specific. If someone told me they only did the stationary bike (recumbent, spinning, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't consider them a cyclist. I would consider them someone who prefers the bicycling simulation machines for cardio. I often do the running simulation called elliptical machines but I don't tell people I jog or run.
There's something about steering and pedaling while navigating traffic, rocks, holes, pedestrians, bicycles and other obstacles that makes it real. If you never ride into the wind or deal with rain or other weather, how is that being a cyclist?
So, if someone like Michael Phelps swims exclusively in pools but never in the ocean or lake, he's not really a swimmer?0 -
Right now, I do more running on the treadmill in the basement then I do outside. I would prefer to run outside, but it just isn't an option when you are running while your child is asleep and no one else is at home. Does that mean I am no longer a runner?
(FWIW, I have finished 2 Ironmans, 4 half Ironmans, 1 marathon and countless half marathons and shorter running races/triathlons).
One of the best runners I know does almost all of her runs on the treadmill due to severe allergies. She is a sub 3 hr marathoner.0 -
No, but I'm not pompous.
This ^^^, so so much of this ^^^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.
I am with this person. If you run, then you are a runner. So yes, a person running 3 miles is just as much a runner as I who is training for a marathon. We are just in different places along our running journey. We may never get to the same end, and that is okay.0 -
\What's funny to me is that I 'run' outside, and have only ever run outside, because I couldn't afford a treadmill if hell froze over (I have a gym membership, but I only use it for classes and swimming. The actual 'gym' sends my anxiety through the roof!). My 'running' is in 60-second bursts, with 90sec-2 minutes off, because it's all I can manage.
2 weeks ago, I was only managing 30-seconds on, with 2-3 minutes off. I'm improving every day. My BMI is 30 (down from 38 when I started); still 'obese' until I lose another 2lbs. I quit smoking less than 3 months ago. My lungs and breathing are recovering every day, I'm in horrific shape, but holy crap, am I ever working on it. That being said - I might go for a 5-10k walk/run combo every few days, where only 33% of the time is spent running.
There are people who run on treadmills who are a) WAY less fat than I am, and b) in MUCH better shape. I don't call myself a runner, though I'm sure there's people out there at a similar level as me who do. While I don't begrudge them that distinction one bit, you can bet your *kitten* that the people running treadmills for more much longer and much faster are more of a 'runner' than I am right now, and maybe more than I'll ever be.0 -
I've run a half marathon on both a treadmill and outside. I personally feel that outside is a better workout and is more challenging than a treadmill. I almost never run on a treadmill now.0
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Um. It's not like running on a treadmill is fake running. Why? Because it's indoors? Is indoor track running also fake because it's indoors?
I grew up in Chicago and it wasn't safe to run in my neighborhood. I ran inside on a treadmill. I didn't crave being outside or care. I liked running. You don't get to determine how people identify themselves, whether or not they're "real" decided solely on whether or not they move "like you."
That's rude. I like all runners. Or joggers. Or whatever they call it/themselves as long as they're happy doing it.0 -
One of the first things that attracted me to the running community (versus running by myself), was the level of acceptance I found amongst other runners. No one asked me what my pace was, how often I ran, how long I had been running for - they simply accepted the fact I laced up twice a week and ran with them. That was enough.
I really dislike the elitist attitudes that I've run across periodically from time to time amongst runners. People who judge other runners by how fast they are, where they run, how they run, what shoes they wear, what races they've done and are training for,... it goes on and on. Does it really matter? Does it affect your day or your running in any way?
I've never been interested in expending energy making myself feel better than anyone else who laces up and gets out there for a run/jog/race what have you. But that's just me.
ETA: Oh, and last time I checked, they were called *running shoes*. Not fake-treadmill-only-running shoes, not jogging-shoes, not-I'm-posing-as-a-runner-shoes. Just running shoes.0 -
My personal view....if they run (inside or out) they are runners. Doesn't matter if they are the beginners who are starting out with C25K, easy runners who do a few easy 2-3 mile runs a week on a treadmill or if they are the ultra finishers who are crossing Death Valley in under 24 hours...including all those in between. Everyone has different goals, so whatever people do to achieve them...why does it matter?0
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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 taught my daughter that a race is won in the off-season.
She "runs" on a treadmill for 9 months out of the year. The other 3 months she has set record, after record "running" 100 meters on artificial turf as fast as humanly possible.
I do wear a matching "kit" on my bike when I race, so what do I know....? '-)0 -
I don't claim to have an opinion about swimmers.So, if someone like Michael Phelps swims exclusively in pools but never in the ocean or lake, he's not really a swimmer?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.
I once did 15 miles on a treadmill while watching 'It's a Bug's Life'. It was incredibly productive AND stress relieving! :happy:
But..srs. I know what you mean.0 -
I was going to go for a run but then I started reading this thread and got distracted. So instead I went on the treadmill and went for a jog.
Am I a jogger???
Did you ever at any time have both feet in the air at the same time? If so, you were running (hate to break it to you).0 -
I run outside occasionally (if the weather is just too beautiful to miss), but I actually prefer treadmill running: I find looking at the numbers tick away is super motivating for me. I also have allergies that can make running outside very annoying.
I started running for fitness/weight loss, and didn't really consider myself a runner until I started to enjoy and look forward to my treadmill time
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Ah, but Captain, you didn't directly say it. You implied it. Sometimes it really does just come down to semantics. You started a thread called, "to all the real runners," which automatically holds the implication that some runners are NOT "real" runners, which is why some people made the logical assumption that you felt there was, in fact, a distinction. Not to mention, it clearly had some folks immediately on the defensive. Because I'm clearly some kind of masochist, I enjoy a good verbal repartee, so this didn't really bother me, but I do feel obligated to point it out to the crowd. Sometimes what you don't say speaks just as loudly as what you do.
so you're telling me what you think i meant? or are you telling me what you think other people think i meant?
Oh hell...I don't think I remember anymore. I was merely illustrating that by using the words "real runners" the automatic implication is that NOT-real runners exist, so it already indicates bias in that direction, whether you meant it or not. So I think I might be telling you what I think other people will think you might think based on the the title alone, not necessarily on what you really think, but that's just what I think.0 -
It doesn't matter to me when people consider themselves a runner. It's their journey and their perspective on their journey has no impact on my journey.0
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I tease people who run on treadmills exclusively. But I admire that they can do it (I'd be too bored).
As for whether they are runners, why not? I log more time on a bike than running these days, still I'd consider myself a runner before anything else...0 -
*shrugs* i run nearly exclusively on the treadmill. When I run I like to zone out completely and as I'm a woman who lives in the middle of Chicago and likes to run at night....yea, I'm fine with the treadmill.0
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I'm not a runner but a cyclist. Bicycle rider to be more specific. If someone told me they only did the stationary bike (recumbent, spinning, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't consider them a cyclist. I would consider them someone who prefers the bicycling simulation machines for cardio. I often do the running simulation called elliptical machines but I don't tell people I jog or run.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?
There's something about steering and pedaling while navigating traffic, rocks, holes, pedestrians, bicycles and other obstacles that makes it real. If you never ride into the wind or deal with rain or other weather, how is that being a cyclist?
:yawn:0 -
The person who plays the triangle in the symphony is a musician, just as the cello soloist..
The cellist may be more skilled, have more fans, etc. But, at the end of the day, both cash a check from the symphony. I don't see any benefit to categorizing any further or putting down a group of people because they are different.
If I run 50 miles a week on the road, and you run 5 miles a week on a dreadmill, and you want to talk to me "runner-to-runner," OK. We just may not end up having that much to talk about, but at least you are putting the work in.0 -
Personally I consider a person that runs on a treadmill just as much of a runner as a person that runs outside. I believe runners come in all shapes and sizes and have different running preferences. I also believe that someone that can only currently run half a mile can be considered a runner. Every runner had to train from running a very short distance to being able to run further and probably faster.
I am currently a treadmill runner. This is mostly because I live in a not so safe neighborhood where running alone isn't really safe, so I hit up the local gym to get my running in right now. I also can only run a mile right now, and at a slow pace (12 minutes last run). I don't think this makes me less of a runner than anyone else. I also spent a great deal of running outside in the past, on bike trails, through neighborhoods (when I lived in a safer part of town), I ran in a couple 5K's... I actually was up to 7 mile runs until I injured my knee. After that I didn't run for quite some time, I actually just started up again. I started back on the treadmill this time, although I do plan to take my runs outside when I have the chance to drive a bit further to find a safer place to do so - or when I have a buddy to run with.
I guess my point is, I try not to judge other runners, and I think if a person considers themselves a runner, then they are.0 -
I think it's pretty rude to turn around and say treadmill runners aren't 'real runners' my brother-in-law runs almost exclusively (most done on road is 3miles) on a treadmill and he completed a Half Marathon in March, not to mention an overweight friend of mine who was struggling road running but really enjoys treadmill running, she will get to road running eventually and even if she doesn't who cares.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.
I find this thread personally funny because I did my first Half Marathon over the weekend (in 1:59:11 ) yet I don't think of myself as a runner at all as I do other stuff too, my friend who did it with me said the same thing when I asked her afterwards 'do you feel like a runner yet?' 0 -
Whether or not one agrees with the OP, I believe his view is looking at it objectively. Let's look at it from other perspectives of not just the treadmill vs running outside.
If someone runs in the pool (actually does laps back and forth) are they considered a runner?
Is a rhythm gymnast really a gymnast?
Is a bodybuilding really a sport?
Do people that workout solely on machines really lifters?
I believe POV will dictate how some will obviously feel about this. I don't believe there's going to be a definitive answer for any since many categories can be defined subjectively.
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Semantics. About like the argument over swats vs leg press. Squats properly done of course are better if you are healthy and able to do them. Otherwise the leg press is a great alternative. Running on a track likely burns slightly more calories than treadmill BUT those who live in dangerous areas or who have knee issues can certainly benefit from treadmill. I use treadmill a lot for the latter reason but do run on a track when I can. I can sense the difference in the assist with a slightly greater energy output necessary on the track but I get a pretty good workout on the treadmill as well. It helps with my pacing and has improved my speed. Anecdotally it seems to be helping to strengthen my knees which seems to have some support in recent research.0
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Another point - where do we draw the line? Do you have to achieve a certain speed to be a "real " runner? Tosh! Anyone moving in a forward (or backward) direction at a speed that is faster than their walking pace is in effect running. To say otherwise is exclusionary - so too is it with separating treadmills and roads. Its like saying mountain bikers aren't real cyclists because they don't road race.0
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I have no idea how to even run a treadmill. I don't even know what an elliptical is. :ohwell: I run roads, hills, the beach ... etc yet I have respect for treadmill runners since they're not only getting it done, they're doing something I don't know how to do.0
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This was interesting to read. I started running on the treadmill as I have one at home. I decided to run outside as I used to walk outside alot. I loved it! I go out on a Saturday or Sunday and run the Battlefield near my house. I believe it changed my life. I so look forward to my runs and I get really pissy if I can't go.
That being said, I do still run on the treadmill in bad weather. I still don't consider myself a runner. I'm not sure what would make me a runner. I have reached the point where I just want to be outside doing something.
I also don't think I care. I've lost 32 lbs since March, I feel wonderful everyday, I look better so whatever I'm doing, whatever name you want to call it, it works.
Cheers to all of us!0 -
I consider them a runner. However, are they as fit as someone who road runs? Probably not. The elements and pounding on pavement and having to propel yourself forward make for a fitter, more experienced runner. I think we've seen threads time and time again that go "I run on a treadmill no problem, but can't run outside". They are different beasts, but it's still running.
ETA: I just get really sad when someone says they only run on the dreadmill. I mean, get outside and smell the roses! I didn't fall in love with running until I ran outside, and then I was hooked.0
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