I used to train for marathons. For a while I was running more than 60 miles a week. When I wasn’t running I was thinking about running, or actively recovering from my runs by foam rolling or preparing healthy meals or taking yoga classes. I felt like I had to run a lot of miles to call myself a runner. I now run much less than I used to. I generally run a few miles at a time, at least three days a week, but some busy weeks I run less than that. Am I still a runner?
I haven’t been blogging about my running lately, and a large part of that is because I don’t feel like I run enough to blog about anything. I’ll share my experiences at the handful of (shorter) races that I run, but there’s that little voice in the back of my head that says, “You don’t run enough to blog about running. You should at least be fast or run far to for anyone to care about what you do.” There may even be some truth in those thoughts. But, that doesn’t mean that I’m not a runner.
What if you fall in love with another sport and running is no longer your primary sport? Are you still a runner? If you only run twice a week, or even once, do you have to turn in your runner card? Are you forced to remove your running stickers from your car?
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Even better, what if you decide to unplug with your runs and don’t run with a Garmin or post about them on social media. Did your runs even happen? If you don’t blog about it, can you record the mileage in your log? Can you still be a runner if you’re not sharing every mile with someone?
Here’s the answer: if you run, you’re a runner. Don’t let anyone else’s notion of what a runner should be shape how you feel about your running. When you start to run for other people, you miss out on some of the joy of running.
What do you think makes you a runner?
I’ve definitely thought about this. When I talk about running, I always qualify it in some and say something like “But I’m not very fast.” It’s interesting and I don’t know why I do that. I think just getting out there makes me a runner–I’m at least lapping everyone at home on the couch 🙂
If you think of yourself as a runner then you are a runner.
If you run, you are a runner. End of story!
Do you miss training for races? Just curious.
Great blog Beth! I often question myself about being a “runner” since I’m not a fast runner. I know that is so silly, but sometimes self doubt creeps in. I’m working on stopping that negative thinking!
I’ve always thought the same thing – if you run, you’re a runner. Doesn’t matter how much, how often or how fast. If one foot isn’t touching the ground and you are moving forward, that is running.
You should blog about whatever you want to blog about, running or not 🙂 It’s your space to share what you want!
Great post! It took me a long time to feel this way, but I think that a runner is anyone who enjoys running on a regular basis. If you’re out there a few times a week and are doing it because you enjoy it, you’re a runner. I’m not fast and I don’t run too far, but I still think of myself as a runner although it took me until after my first half marathon to think of myself that way. Us runners are too hard on ourselves!
You know that I have SOOO many thoughts on this, especially after working with so many run/walkers this summer, and having so many friends with injuries that can’t run, or have chosen not to do so. I think of it like this–being a runner is a state of mind when you no longer go out to run, you go for a run. It is when you no longer see running as a means to an end. It is the end and the means.
It is very similar to my riding: I will always be a rider, even when I don’t ride, because it speaks to me. I lift, but I am not a lifter.