Well, I’m a runner, but I’m not a REAL runner. I mean, I’m not really fast. I’ll never win a race or anything. Sure, I get out there and run, and it’s hard, but I do it anyway, and I really like it, except when I hate it, but I’m not a REAL runner. I guess I’m not even really running, anyway. I’m just jogging.
No. Stop these thoughts. Do you run? Then you’re a real runner. Even if you’re jogging, because that’s just what they called running in the eighties, and now it’s ok to say running even if you’re not sprinting the whole time (which you shouldn’t be). I think it’s great to say “I’d feel like a more serious runner if I accomplished this goal” and go for it. That’s wonderful. But feeling like you’re not a runner, or that there’s a separate class of people who are “real” runners and you’ll probably never get there undermines the accomplishments you’ve made by getting out there and running.
What does fake running even LOOK like? Walking? If you only walk, then you’re a walker. But if you run, even if you’re taking walking breaks, I think you’re a runner.
I hear a lot of people who are new to running (and some who are experienced, fast, and dedicated runners) saying that they’re not “REAL” runners. I heard someone who’s run a marathon say that they’re not a “REAL” runner. I’m sorry, what?
I’ve got to disagree. If you run, you’re a real runner. Maybe not a professional runner, or an elite runner, but you’re a runner! I wouldn’t even call myself an athlete, because I’m not competitive. But I am a runner. I get out there, multiple times a week, and I run. Sometimes I push myself, and sometimes I slow down and just enjoy it, and there are a lot of people (A LOT of people) who are much faster than I am. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a runner.
I am. And if you run, you’re a real runner, too. So go out there and run, you awesome runner, you.
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