When can you call yourself a “runner”? I think that’s when you get out there at least a few times a week on a regular basis, no matter your pace or distance. But what makes you a serious runner?
I’m not sure of the answer, but here are some clues for me:
- You have an “ankle bracelet” tan line on the tiny circle of exposed skin between your running socks and your compression tights (and that’s in spite of wearing sunscreen).
- You own and wear any item of clothing with the word “compression” in it. Compression socks, compression shorts, compression pants, compression sleeves.
- Your drink of choice on a Friday night is water. Or you convince yourself that the beer you’re drinking is carbo-loading for the next day’s run.
- Your running shoes are more expensive than any other pair of shoes you own.
- You subject yourself to an ice bath after a run. Or, your soak in a hot bath includes epsom salts.
- Your non-runner friends lovingly (?) shake their heads and call you insane/crazy.
- You log every workout down to the second and the hundredth of a mile.
- You keep a list of PRs.
- You actually look forward to your next birthday because it means you move up to the next age bracket for racing.
- You plan your vacations around destination races.
- When you start a run, your shirt is light blue. When you finish, it’s completely dark blue, every inch soaked in sweat.
- You own a treadmill and use it for more than hanging clothes to dry.
Are you a serious runner? All of the above are true for me, so I guess so!
What are some other signs you’re a serious runner?
When you look at a stock price graph and think “that’s supper hilly!”
When you see others running and you feel jealous.
LikeLike
Yes, yes! I do both of those things!
LikeLike
Haha! I’ve done that before!
LikeLike
I don’t consider myself a “serious” runner, but I could definitely relate to the happiness about moving up an age group!
LikeLike
Someone recently suggested to me that I wait until I move up an age bracket to try to qualify for Boston. Then she asked how old I am and we realized it would be another 4 years before I move up (to the 45-49 age group)! I guess that’s good and bad!
LikeLike
Owning and using on foam roller on a daily basis.
LikeLike
Ugh, I should be better about foam rolling every day. I blame the three little elves I live with for relocating my foam roller from my closet. I have no idea where it’s hiding right now.
LikeLike
Fun list!!
I think when there is no where you go that you don’t know the best 3,5,8…mile running route.
I consider myself a serious runner (I just don’t race much anymore).
LikeLike
I’m slowly building my list of vacation running routes — this year we’ll go back to Mammoth and to family camp in northern CA, and I’ve got my maps in MapMyRun from last year!
LikeLike
[…] Missed the first 12? See You Know You’re a Serious Runner When. […]
LikeLike