Jun 26, 2008

are you a runner?

someone asked me this question the other day. clearly, it was my amazingly fit and toned legs that prompted the question; but i was totally stumped on how to answer.

am i runner?

um. i used to be. i mean, i've run 3 marathons, i've pr'd on a hilly mofo of a course on one of them, i had a stellar half marathon pr a while back and i ran my fastest mile ever last fall. for about two years running (no pun intended) i was logging over 25 miles a week. easy. sometimes over 35. i was totally a runner. i remember crossing the finish line of the local half marathon 3 years ago (before i had become, in my mind, a 'runner') and watching all the marathon finishers get a mylar blanket wrapped around them; i saw the 'real' runners as the ones who got that blanket and i wanted one. i now have three of those blankets and the finishers medals to go with them.

but now? now i can count on one hand the number of times i have run since april. and this doesn't bother me. its neither here nor there. it just is. but am i still a runner? am i a runner if maybe i run once every two - more likely every three weeks? am i still a runner if my brand new trail shoes have seen less than 10 miles of trails? and i bought them a month ago?

once a runner, always a runner? i don't know the answer. so her question stumped me and caught me off guard.

"are you a runner?" she asked.
and knowing she does not need
to hear the long version of
how i used to run;
in fact ran quite a bit
but got burned out and
i'm taking a break,
and i'll go back someday
but not now.
i simply said,
"no. i'm a cyclist".

8 comments:

Gotta Run..... said...

If you could see me than you would see that your last sentence made me start crying.....

You are a runner still in my book. I would say that you are just exploring other OCD areas in your life. Running... biking.... it is all good.

RunToTheFinish said...

man...i hate my knee...even though you've moved on more or less from running... I am just jonesing to do it. What if this is how I turn in to a biker too? YIKES

ItchyBits said...

Damn real!

Tall Girl Running said...

I can see the quandary. But I honestly don't think one has to have running as their current main athletic endeavor to still be considered a runner. So, you're taking a hiatus from running for awhile. Way I figure it, if you run at least once a month, you're a runner, dammit!

IMHO, the most appropriate answer would've been, "I'm an athlete". Then look all proud and smug. :-P

house on hill road said...

you are a cyclist, but i would call you a runner. you are just not running much these days. but if you wanted to, you could.

Anonymous said...

I think the answer is:

"Yes, AND a cyclist. In fact, I'm an all around badass." :)

Vickie said...

I think once a runner, always a runner. I was away from it for a while too. After a while you miss it, and you will too, and be back. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing. Those running shoes can share the road with those cycling wheels. Its just another way to get around.

Nancy said...

Oh. My. God. You. Didn't.