What type of runner are you? The results
Mostly As - The Warrior
You are motivated primarily by competition, and you think of running in terms of race training. You would still run if you had to give up racing but not nearly as intensely. You’re likely to understand the science of physical performance and find fulfilment from testing your limits.
Get motivated Think about an important upcoming race and how you’ll perform better after today’s training session. Or focus on a race distance you don’t normally run. Having a new challenge will spice up your routine.
Learn from others From socialisers, learn that it’s fun to run with others without turning every encounter into a competition. Keep your competitive instincts in check until race day to perform better.
Enjoy running more Every year come up with at least one new race goal. Connect with top local runners and ask them their training secrets.
Avoid trouble Don’t forget that there’s a difference between training hard and training smart. Sometimes backing off and letting your body absorb previous training is the quickest route to improved performance.
Cope with injury Treat getting better as your next goal, and apply the discipline you usually devote to your running to conquering your injury.
Read Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear; First Four Minutes by Roger Bannister; The Perfect Distance: Ovett and Coe, the Record-breaking Rivalry by Pat Butcher.
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Mostly Bs - The Purist
You run for running's sake - you like how it feels and how it makes you feel afterwards. You might race, you might not. Running is part of your routine; it makes you feel complete. How far and how fast you run is based on how you feel that day, how nice a day it is and your surroundings.
Get motivated You probably don't have a problem with this, but if you do, picture yourself at your favourite part of your route for that day, running comfortably, feeling great. Remember how good you'll feel for running.
Learn from others From exercisers, discover other forms of satisfying activity. You'll appreciate having a back-up when running isn't possible, and you'll be more rounded as an athlete and a person.
Enjoy running more Allow yourself to take rest days. Listening to your head ("I want to run") and ignoring your body ("I could use a break") will detract from the pleasure of the experience. Strengthen your mind and body so you can enjoy a lifetime of running.
Avoid trouble Don't run until you're too tired to enjoy the rest of your life. You need running to be a special part of your day, not a compulsion.
Cope with injury Remind yourself that there will be a time when you'll be on your favourite route and able to enjoy the simple act of running.
Read Running and Being by George Sheehan; Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith; Lore of Running by Timothy Noakes.
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Mostly Cs - The Socialiser
You do a fair amount of racing but you're drawn more by the social aspects of the events than your competitive drive. You're probably a member of a running club, and you're likely to volunteer at races. You enjoy sharing your love of running with like-minded people.
Get motivated Organise a group trip to a relay or other race that has team competition.
Learn from others From warriors learn that there are ways of having fun through running that to you may look like a grind. You can push yourself to your limit in training and racing and still have a good time.
Enjoy running more Run with different people from different parts of your life (colleagues, neighbours, fellow parents). Hook up with local running clubs when you're travelling.
Avoid trouble Have several running partners, and schedule your shortest runs for the days when you're on your own.
Cope with injury Throw yourself into other running-related activities, such as volunteering to marshal or give out drinks at races to stay in touch with the running community.
Read The London Marathon: The History of the Greatest Race on Earth by John Bryant; A Century of Running by Hal Higdon; The Quotable Runner edited by Mark Will-Weber.
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Mostly Ds - The Exerciser
You run primarily for the quantifiable physical benefits, such as weight loss and disease protection. You think of running as just another way to exercise and may skip it if life's obstacles make it inconvenient. You are likely to cross-train but you probably don't race. You may start off as an Exerciser and morph into one of the other types as you gain confidence.
Get motivated Remind yourself of how you've come through other workouts. Promise yourself small rewards if you meet your running goals. Set short-term goals that are reasonable but challenging.
Learn from others From purists learn to love running for its own sake. It will be easier to meet your fitness goals when you enjoy running.
Enjoy running more Review your training so you're reminded of the progress you've made. Find a running buddy, with whom you can share your success stories and who will keep you honest about sticking to your training. Link your running efforts to a charitable cause you care about.
Avoid trouble Plan your sessions in such a way that you're unlikely to find reasons to skip them.
Cope with injury You have it easier than other runner types - spend the time when you'd normally run on one of your other exercise routines.
Read No Need for Speed by John Bingham; The Looniness of the Long-Distance Runner by Russell Taylor.
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Discuss this story
Nice questionairre! I got mostly Bs - the purist and I'm thinking that's really accurate. I run because I like to run and it makes me happy, but I also train for cross country, so that's awesome. I'd like to know what other people got. I sometimes wish I was more like the warrior and I'd push my body to its limits far more often in training sessions.  AWESOME QUIZ THOUGH!
Posted: 08/12/2009 07:47
I got A - the opening paragraph describes me pretty much perfectly. I do have a strong tendency to look at my Garmin after a run, see that my time was 15 seconds slower and my heart rate average 1BPM higher that last week, and say "darn!". I also constantly am thinking of ways to run faster for longer, and if a race is a few weeks away (10k on the 20th) then I'll find myself thinking about the race if I'm daydreaming in a lecture or something similar. In terms of motivation, the article's also right. I always have a medium and long-term goal to aim for. Having those goals keeps me focused on training and not letting it slack.
Posted: 08/12/2009 08:42
I came out as a cross between a purist & an exerciser but for some of the questions I was a little of most of them! Just lookinf at it as a bit of fun though.
Posted: 08/12/2009 10:24
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