*I wanted to repost this after over hearing some ugly words from a couple ladies on the treadmills beside me today.
Running slow still means your a runner.
Running slow still means your a runner.
I am not sure who decided that you were only a "runner" if you ran under 7 minute miles, or if you had a 3 hour marathon. Yes, in order to be an "elite" runner you would have to have all of these qualities. However those of us who run average 10 minute miles and 5 hour marathons are still "runners".
I get very sad when I hear people online and even at races that say that they don't consider themselves runner because they still have to walk a little in races or they always come in after everyone else.
LISTEN:
If you RUN than you are a RUNNER!
OK?
Sometimes its fun to actually NOT be dying at the end of a race or a run. To say I ran 5 miles today and it felt great. My personal running experience has been slow and steady.
I have never won a race or even placed in my age group, but I am ok with that. I have finished every race I ever entered. And trust me there have been many. I have ran 26 miles non stop. I have ran with friends. I have ran by myself. I have ran fast sometimes and slow other times. The one thing I can say is I have ALWAYS enjoyed myself at races.
Running is not easy for me, I am not one of those people that cant wait to get out of bed to get my run on. I sometimes have to force myself to get out on the road to train. I burnout very easily. But what keeps me going is the thrill and excitement I get before every race, knowing that I am about to partake in something that I never thought in a million years I would ever do. I know a lot of you find it hard to run, physically and mentally. But I know that if I had to give you any advise at all, it would be to go sign up for a race and get to know the "faster" people at the race. Go up to them and say hi! You would be surprised how friendly runners can be. I have a lot of fast elite friends and they cheer me on the same as I cheer them on. Its an amazing community. So all I can say is
JUST RUN!
I will never understand why people feel the need to down grade other people in any way! My heart went out to the girl these woman were talking about. Please don't ever let anyone break you spirit. Do what you love and enjoy it!
Now SWIM time! This tri isn't going to do itself!
QOTD: Have you ever felt like you were not a "runner"?
Or not good enough to be called a "runner"?
Leave me a comment below!
I love this post and think that anyone out there who gets up and moving everyday hitting the pavement is a runner!!! No matter speed of distance! It's all in the effort!! Spa <3
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! It is all so true, but it can be easy to forget. I ran my first marathon in (5:20) it was horrible, not the time I wanted, but I ran it. I spent weeks beating myself up about my time and performance. But then it hit me...I ran a freakin marathon! haha
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for writing this post!!! I have always considered myself a runner even though I can regularly run 10-11 min miles. I too have ran faster! At races especially, but I consider myself a 10min-miler and a RUNNER! You rock. =)
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I hate when I see books or articles talking about how slow a 10 minute mile is. I am not even there yet, but dang it, I am a runner!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post! It actually drives me crazy when people say they don't feel like they are "real runners" -- mostly because I've heard it from people who are REALLY fast even, including most recently a woman who ran a sub-3 marathon! Anyway, love to hear your positive energy! --Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)
ReplyDeleteUm, this was me this past weekend. I was so freaking slow this weekend and it really discouraged me. I questioned myself, my abilities, and whether or not I was/am in fact, a runner. I signed up for my first marathon in May and was so down in the dumps last night I debate dropping. Thanks for this post. It was just what I needed!
ReplyDeleteYep... LOVE this! Being someone who WISHES a 10 minute mile was my pace, I always feel like the turtle who is embarassed to say "I'm a runner" - but I love inspiring posts like this. I still cross a finish line - may be later then everyone else - but I cross it! & that's my badge of honor to call me a RUNNER :)
ReplyDelete(I actually call myself a WUNNER... making it sound like a 2 yr old with a lisp - but its a combo of walking/running - WUNNER! ) ;)
YES! Love this - it's all in the effort and commitment...not in the pace!
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time. I am a runner no matter my speed!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I didn't really feel like a "runner" until I ran my first race, but I don't think it had anything to do with pace. I just thought you have to be training for something to be a real "runner"- so silly. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post! I find myself comparing myself to other way too often when I just need to focus on what I'm able to accomplish. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't agree more! I don't like when I hear people say, I am not a real runner. If you run, then you are runner. period. Nice reminder that some people need to hear!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad how elitist runners can be. I agree with you. I remember being called a "jogger" once and hating it. My massage therapist runs a 12 minute mile. It's running. She runs half marathons and I give her a lot of credit because she's out there longer than most. I also find it interesting that runners who are slower than me think I "can't" run with them. I can always slow down. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you run you're a runner. period. I run at my own pace and I like that :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post. It's hard, I feel like runners, regardless of pace, call all others who run, runners, does that make sense? Yet, non-runners are the ones who are very quick to judge and call me a non-runner because of my pace. I know I am a very slow runner. Some are very natural runners, I am not, I love it, but it is still work for me.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this post is A–MAZING! Thanks for speaking for all of us slow runners! I admit I've struggled with the "am I a runner" question many times. Just recently did I really "accept" the title of runner. I run (or jog, really) several times a week, provided I'm not injured. Running is my main fitness activity. Though I'm slow and don't love long distances, I work on both of those things.
ReplyDeleteI think consistency and striving to improve my running are the two things that really convinced me I am a runner. If it wasn't something I care enough about to wonder whether I had earned the title, I wouldn't care to get better at it.
I much prefer running HAPPY than running a certain goal that isn't quite as fulfilling (why I dropped to the half instead of the full). It's so true that if you run, you're a runner. You don't have to run fast, run marathons, etc. I'm coming around to that myself.
ReplyDeleteGirl I am a long, SLOW, distance runner. I will never be fast, I will never win any age group anything....not even close, but i am still a runner, we all are.
ReplyDeleteIn the end the turtle beats the hare!
i think that if you find joy in any run, you are a runner. Even if it means walking half!
ReplyDeleteI needed this today! I am a runner!
ReplyDeleteI am a proud runner. I am ok with how slow I am.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that is something to struggle with, especially if you haven't been athletic before. I tend to say I "do races", but I'm totally a runner!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even been running for two years, and in the grand scheme of things, I have made IMMENSE progress, but there are still days even NOW when I feel like I'm not a runner. Thank you for this reminder that no matter what, as long as I am running, I AM A RUNNER. xoxo
ReplyDeletehave I ever felt that way? Um....all the time. Even when I am running. :) I realized at some point this year--finally--that I have nothing to prove to anyone else- or even to myself. This is about me, feeling strong, and healthy--if that means going slow or walking at times, then so be it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI feel that way all the time, even though I have done 8 marathons! Anytime a conversation is started someplace about running....I struggle not to start the conversation with...."I KNOW I don't look like a runner...but".....and then continue with..."I'm SOOO slow that you can't really call me a runner exactly." THANK YOU for the reminder...."I AM A RUNNER!!"
ReplyDeleteMy last 10k, a woman said "I'm going to start slow and taper off." That perfectly described me! :) She also left me in the dust. I almost got offended once when someone called me a jogger, but heck, that's my training and race speed. lol
ReplyDeleteWell L you KNOW me and you know I would have said something to the smart arses on the treadmill. There is NO excuse for ever putting someone else down. I am thrilled to have moved up to a 10mm recently. I am an ultra runner. I've done tons of races, most of them on chemo and I will not tolerate anyone, elite or not putting down another athlete and will call them out. We are all human. Run safe, run strong!
ReplyDeleteI feel this way a lot. I always qualify myself with "trying to be a runner" or "I'm a runner but I'm super slow."
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get that mental block out of the way. But I have to keep telling myself that not everyone can or will run seven minute miles. That not everyone wants to or can dedicate that much of themselves to training. That my slowness has absolutely NO bearing on another runner's performance - I'm not clogging up the front of the pack, I'm not taking hydration or fuel from those front-of-pack runners, and I'm not cheapening their medal or their finish time. Just like they are doing their best, I am doing mine, and one has nothing to do with the other.
I feel like that every time I run... I'm SLOOOOWWWWWW... like am thrilled when I do 13 min miles... I have to walk a lot with a bulging disc in my back & over 20 years of knee problems... but I keep moving... & do feel less then a runner at most times. SO thank you for this reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. Yes!
ReplyDeleteRunning is running, it doesn't matter if its a 16mm or 6mm, you are running! I've also learned that just because someone can pull off a 1:16 half doesn't mean they aren't happy to join you for a 10+mm pace run...took me a while to realize that. Sometimes its about the conversation, not the pace!
FANTASTIC post! I felt this way a lot when I started out with C25K and occasionally still do, but I've gotten better at getting out of that mindset. This is a good swift kick in the pants! I love it!
ReplyDelete