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...
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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?
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