At what point can you say you are really a runner?

Strangely, although I had previously run on and off for years, I never started to consider myseld as a runner until I started "looking the part".  Most notably, a pair of running tights, for me, that was the step change, I now "looked" like a runner

 www.runningcoast2coast.wordpress.com

it's all about attitude.

there is a similar debate amongst my biker buddies. in that community there is a definite difference between a Biker and someone who happens to ride a motorbike. you don't need to be out every day or riding to work in the driving rain to be a Biker. it's more about how you view bikes and how much of your time is spent thinking about bikes and bike related stuff.

in the same way i would say that there are Runners and people who happen to run. i have a mate who runs 5km on a treadmill in his garage every evening but virtually never bothers running outside. for him it's purely an easy way to keep fit that doesn't take up much time and when he's not doing it he never really thinks about it. he doesn't consider himself a Runner.

although judging by the amount of time he seems to spend looking at bikes on ebay, he is definitely a Biker. lol....

gemgemx wrote (see)

Having to do a poo mid run in the countryside...that was my defining moment.

Yup! I'm set up for an alfresco poo as I run with dogs.. so I always carry poop bags, antibac hand gel and some tissues.. who would know what's in the bag? Hi viz clothing is a hindrance too when you're crouched by a hedge!

Heading out for a run in a thunder and lightening storm was my defining moment.

I recently joined a gym and during the induction process they took me to the treadmill and I said 'Let me stop you right there buddy ...... I don't think you'll be needing to explain this particular bit of apparatus to me .... Ive done 3 Half Marathons this year, probably more than you, so I think I know what Im doing ....'

Thats when I knew I was a runner .....

Actually I remember now that there was a time earlier in which I realised I was a runner.

I had just bought my new garmin 410 watch and decided to wear it to work. When my colleagues asked me what it was, I said 'Oh this? Thats just my new GPS watch that us runners have ...... oh thats right you wouldn't know that not being a runner.'

Did I tell you Ive become more pretentious since becoming a runner.

...

When you wear a very vivid free race tshirt with the name of the race on the front in big letters to go down the pub and for the first time you dont put a jumper over the top to hide it.

For me it was when I completed the 10k run at the end of my beginner's running programme. It felt like I'd gone from someone who could run, but found it difficult to someone who could 'just run'. Suddenly I felt like I was part of the group of runners who I was passing up and down the coast every few days.

A year on, and I see that people who are just starting out are just as much a runner as I am with my first marathon under my belt - guess it changes with time and perspective? The thing that I suspect is different between 'runners' and 'not runners' is that runners want to be running, and do. Time, distance and pace are all relative.

Sofaboy wrote (see)

.... i have a mate who runs 5km on a treadmill in his garage every evening but virtually never bothers running outside. for him it's purely an easy way to keep fit that doesn't take up much time and when he's not doing it he never really thinks about it. he doesn't consider himself a Runner.

although judging by the amount of time he seems to spend looking at bikes on ebay, he is definitely a Biker. lol....

Maybe being a biker he doesn't want people to think he's also healthy, when I was into bikes it was all about drugs, drink and loud music, anyone who cared about their body was deemed to be a bit gay...

Feral wrote (see)

gemgemx wrote (see)

Having to do a poo mid run in the countryside...that was my defining moment.

Yup! I'm set up for an alfresco poo as I run with dogs.. so I always carry poop bags, antibac hand gel and some tissues.. who would know what's in the bag? Hi viz clothing is a hindrance too when you're crouched by a hedge!

Heading out for a run in a thunder and lightening storm was my defining moment.

You pick up your own poo when you go behind a hedge in the country, really??!?! I've never heard of anyone doing that before?!

lardarse wrote (see)

Sofaboy wrote (see)

.... i have a mate who runs 5km on a treadmill in his garage every evening but virtually never bothers running outside. for him it's purely an easy way to keep fit that doesn't take up much time and when he's not doing it he never really thinks about it. he doesn't consider himself a Runner.

although judging by the amount of time he seems to spend looking at bikes on ebay, he is definitely a Biker. lol....

Maybe being a biker he doesn't want people to think he's also healthy, when I was into bikes it was all about drugs, drink and loud music, anyone who cared about their body was deemed to be a bit gay...

Feral wrote (see)

gemgemx wrote (see)

Having to do a poo mid run in the countryside...that was my defining moment.

Yup! I'm set up for an alfresco poo as I run with dogs.. so I always carry poop bags, antibac hand gel and some tissues.. who would know what's in the bag? Hi viz clothing is a hindrance too when you're crouched by a hedge!

Heading out for a run in a thunder and lightening storm was my defining moment.

You pick up your own poo when you go behind a hedge in the country, really??!?! I've never heard of anyone doing that before?!

lardarse wrote (see)

Sofaboy wrote (see)

.... i have a mate who runs 5km on a treadmill in his garage every evening but virtually never bothers running outside. for him it's purely an easy way to keep fit that doesn't take up much time and when he's not doing it he never really thinks about it. he doesn't consider himself a Runner.

although judging by the amount of time he seems to spend looking at bikes on ebay, he is definitely a Biker. lol....

Maybe being a biker he doesn't want people to think he's also healthy, when I was into bikes it was all about drugs, drink and loud music, anyone who cared about their body was deemed to be a bit gay...

oh no, he's a real "my body is a temple" kind of guy.

Ship-star wrote (see)

Sub 90 half, Sub 40 10k, Sub20 5k.

Anything slower is jogging.

These are my targets atm. However, has Usain Bolt ever run a HM? doea that mean he's not a runner?

When your not walking, jogging or sprinting..........

In my mind, if you make an effort to go out for a run regularly then you are runner!

I have been a runner for just over a year and am disappointed that I didn't discover it sooner in my life! I am totally hooked and will be a runner for life!

I felt like a proper runner last week when I put on a pair of normal socks when dressing and caught myself looking for the L & R on them!

when your mood is defined by how the weeks running has gone.. 'the difference between a jogger and a runner is that a jogger still has control of his life' sums running up entirely!