Today I did something I have never done. I went for two runs. I had planned to run after work through a lovely green space near my office--which, by the way, when dodging bikers, walkers, joggers, the geese and the goose poop, is like running an obstacle course. When I got home, I convinced myself to do it all again around the neighborhood, with far fewer obstacles.Work- life and life -life have been stressful lately and I have actually come to see running as an outlet for all that stress. It really got me thinking about what I had already intended to be topic for this post: I hesitate to call myself a runner.
Even though I do run, and I went so far as to start a friggin' blog about it, I really hesitate to call myself a runner. There has to be an average mileage requirement. Is it 5 miles? 10 miles? It's certainly not "only" 2.5, is it? Or is it? I've had a few joggers wave, nod, or smile while passing me. I've tried to smile or wave back, bur fear I look like I am having a medical episode. Tonight, a man in a passing car beeped at me; let's just go with the idea that it was a sign of support. (No, sir, no need to call the police, I am not being chased!) So if these strangers actually mistake me for a runner, why can't I? Yesterday morning I dragged myself out of bed at 5am to run. Today I logged more miles in one day than I ever have. So what gives-- why do us short distance runners hesitate to call ourselves what we are?
I do know one thing: I'm taking tomorrow off!
I can totally relate to this. I spent so much of my life convincing myself that I'd never be a runner, then started running but in my mind I always qualified it... I ran but really really slowly and it was agonizing... I ran but just down the block... I ran but intookmwalk breaks... I still do it. We need to just stop the thought with "I ran"! Enjoy your off day!
ReplyDeleteRight?! By definition, if you're running you're a runner. Seems so obvious. And for most people, running any distance is an achievement!
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