Before I was a "Runner"
I don't know what the true definition of a Runner is, but I thought I'd tell you a little bit about my running... before I considered myself a Runner. It wasn't that I didn't think I was good enough to be a Runner. I just didn't know I was a Runner. It wasn't until I started training for my first marathon where I realized- Hey, I'm a RUNNER!
Before I was a "Runner"... I joined the track team. This was my sophomore year in high school. My parents bought me expensive running shoes. I missed the first couple practices due to high school musical rehearsal. At the first practice I attended, my coach made me run 5 miles. I had never run more than a mile in gym class. It was horrible. I left practice in tears. Then I quit.
Before I was a "Runner"... I ran 1 mile every morning before school. This was my senior year in high school. I didn't time myself, or have fancy shoes and clothes. For some reason, I just decided to run.
Before I was a "Runner"... I started running about 5 miles per day. This was in the summer when I was home from college, and then it extended to the first year or two after I graduated from college.
Before I was a "Runner"... It never occurred to me to enter a race. Again, I had no fancy clothes or shoes. I was not part of the running community. I had no training plans or goals other than fitting into my jeans.
I ran for several years before I even started training for my first race- which was a marathon! Go big or go home, right? (I did end up running a half marathon during my training so that my first race experience wasn't a marathon.) How did I suddenly go from a 5 mile a day-er to a RUNNER training for a marathon? I blame my mother-in-law! Paul's mom had run long distances for years, including 100 mile races. She is the one that got me into marathons!
And the rest was history...
Tell us about the time before you were a "Runner"...
I did alot of running before I ever raced too! It was really to stay in shape for sports and to avoid gaining weight in college. My first race was the Baltimore half in 2007 and I was hooked after that!
ReplyDeleteI ran the Baltimore Marathon, which I am pretty sure is within the same event as the 1/2 right? It was a great course! I would go back and run Baltimore again, I think, except that we always get a little sad/anxious driving to Bmore because that's where all Paul's doctors are.
DeleteI have been running on and off since was 15. I sometimes took breaks from it but always was active w/ walking, cycling, swimming. After I graduated college I was leaving work one day and had workout clothes in my car. I changed into them and instead of going to the gym, I ran 4 miles! Ugh, felt that the next day (since I hadn't run serious in a year or so before that). And since then it has been a constant. But still never a race. Just running for fun.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will ever enter a race? Just for fun?
DeleteI think about it from time to time, but I doubt it. I just know my tendency would be to push myself in training and I have really had to come to terms w/ how much and how fast I should run to stay healthy. I really don't want to mess that up, but feel like it would.
DeleteI think I classify runners more freely/generously than you! I'd consider you a runner when you started running a mile daily just because. But I know it takes awhile for us to see ourselves in that way, though.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't that I purposefully did not consider myself a runner, it was that I didn't even know "runner" was a thing to be! It was totally not on my radar. Looking back, I guess I was a runner I just didn't know it!
DeleteI didn't start running until my early 30s, and I don't think I called myself a runner until I ran my first half marathon, about 5 years ago!
ReplyDeleteCool! I think it's neat to hear about when people got into running. Some started early and others discover it later in life. (Though I wouldn't call 30s later in life!)
DeleteBefore I was a runner I was a lifter for a little bit. Then I quit that. Then I started lifting again. Then I quit again. Then I became a runner and lifting became more of a permanent habit. I think I just need the variety!
ReplyDeleteLifting requires so much concentration and high bursts of energy. It's exhausting! Most days I would rather run easy to "relax" and supplement that with a couple of days where I summon the energy to lift. I like both but I would say lifting is more exhausting than running, or at least it's on par with a hard speedwork day!
I am with you! It is way easier (and quicker) to go do a 1/2 hour-45 min run than to go to the gym, warm up, and get a quality lifting workout in. And, if you're lifting right, you should be EXHAUSTED after!
DeleteThat's one of the reasons I normally don't run and lift on the same day. I figure I shouldn't have extra energy left!
DeleteHoly smokes, Meg! You ran 5 miles a day back then? "Before" you were a runner?! That's pretty great. And that first track practice would have been brutal!!! Your mother in law sounds like an amazing woman. Love it.
ReplyDeletelol I just didn't know I was a runner! I didn't realize what I was doing or COULD do!
DeleteLOL I love that you ran 5 miles every day and still didn't realize you were a runner.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I know why you are so good at AM workouts: you started way back in high school!
When I first started running a couple years ago, I was hesitant to consider myself part of the running community. The idea of reading Runners World made me gag. I don't know why, I guess I just felt like I didn't want the "label". Obviously things have changed now - mostly because I realized I actually enjoyed running and was good at it and it could be something more than just a thing I do to prove to everyone that I can.
I never even thought of the whole starting in HS thing with the am workouts! Even in college I would usually head to the gym and elliptical before my first class of the day. Even the 8am-ers!
DeleteI used to read Runners World but I don't anymore! I go through waves where I am really "INTO" running/being a runner... When I say "INTO" I mean like reading running mags, following/watching races, etc. But right now I have eased back from that. In fact, I haven't even connected my Garmin to my computer and tracked my mileage in a couple years! And I used to always track my mileage. I am sure I will get back into doing that stuff eventually and then ease out of it again.
Love this post! So funny actually. Most days I still find it odd to call myself a "runner". Not sure why!! I think I got into running after my husband's Runners World magazine arrived in the mail and the chick on the cover had washboard abs. I thought she got it just from running (not to mention she was probably 23 year old), so I gave it a shot! She probably did get it just from running. No fair. haha!
ReplyDeleteWe are totally allowed to hate 23 year olds who have washboard abs and didn't work for it. ;)
DeleteI LOVE this!!!!!! Love! I love how you ran five miles per day before you were a "runner". Cracks me up!!! I started writing all about "before I was a runner" in this comment but I think I'm going to copy you! Love!
ReplyDeleteDo it! I am excited to read it. :)
Deleteheh before I was a runner... i just ate a lot. and rode horses heheh
ReplyDeletelol sounds interesting :)
DeleteBefore I was a "runner" I ran a mile on the beach every single day. Then I realized I could go further and never stopped! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! Running in the sand is so bad ass.
DeleteBefore I was a runner, I could not catch suspects running from me. Before I was a runner if I saw somebody run, I would not be able to breath (seriously) Have a great day!!!
ReplyDeletebakingrunner.blogspot..com
Dang now there is some motivation!
DeleteBefore I was a runner I used to only run on the treadmill (and I hated it..lol). I couldn't imagine running with out participating in the excitement of races! I need that carrot dangling in front of me...lol
ReplyDeleteDo you still need that race excitement or did you come to love running?
Delete