Thinking back, is there a moment when you thought to yourself “I am now a real runner”?
For the longest time I did not consider myself a real runner. A few years back, way before I started my MRTT group, I used to run the same loop near my house. I would see a red headed woman almost every time I ran and she was a “real runner”. After a while, I tried to make eye contact with her and even wave a few times but got nothing in return. Nothing at all! I was convinced red head didn’t want to acknowledge me because I was not a “real runner” and she somehow knew this. Fast forward a few years later, it was raining cats and dogs out there but I set out for my run. That day, I saw red head running towards me and that day in the pouring rain she waved to me. What!? All of the sudden, she viewed me as a real runner worthy of her wave.
That was the day I first felt like a real runner! Funny how little things like that can solidify our self worth as runners isn’t it? I was curious about when others felt like they were real runners so I went straight to my best source-my Moms Run This Town mamas. Here are a few of their answers:
I knew I was a Real Runner When…
Sarah: “I packed my running clothes before my regular clothes”
Amy: “I look for potential running routes while planning family vacations”
Jenny: “Lost toe nails, bra chafing & body glide”
Melissa: “I started craving runs instead of dreading them”
Lori: “I have more running clothes than regular clothes”
Allison: “Planning my social life around getting into bed early & fueling for my long run the next morning”
Kate: “Nope I won’t have another drink. I am running in the morning”
Kara: “Actually paying to run somewhere”
Lisa: “When I started getting up at 5am to run and loving it”
So interesting we all have a moment or definition that solidifies in our own minds that we are now real runners. For some of us it’s running our first race or completing a certain distance for others it’s lost toe nails and running clothes.
Tell me when did you know you were a real runner?
Linking up today with all these other real runners:
Coaches Corner: Debbie, Suzy, Lora, Rachel
Wild Workout Wednesday: AnnMarie, Nicole, Michelle, Jen
Compression pants were legit to be worn out of the house. And I even considered getting compression pants.
LOL yes that too!
I guess being an athlete and runner my whole life, I never really thought about this, but I know of so many people that feel this way! My feeling is as soon as you start running, you are a runner!
I like that answer lets go with that!
It’s hard to say when my revelation came…probably when I ran my first 10-mile training run. And I did it all on my own 😉
Yes I love that!
I think I considered myself to be a real runner after I ran my first half marathon. Or maybe that second Chicago marathon. I didn’t feel legit until then. So stupid, really. Really, if you run, you are a runner!
I totally agree that if you run you are a runner but I find it so interesting how we all have a moment. You are certainly a real runner!
Hmm I think I knew I was a real runner when I started buying all the running things and would get antsy if I didn’t get a run in 😛
Yes for sure so true!
Sometimes my hip gives me a little trouble, and it always has. It used to be the case that if I had an achy hip after a run, I’d stop running for a loooong time and just sub in other workouts. I knew I was a runner when those other workouts didn’t feel like proper substitutes for a run because I’d started loving running so much.
Ah yes happens to all of us doesn’t it?!
The day I placed first place in my first half marathon race I knew I was a runner. I’ve come to realize though anyone who enjoys running is considered a runner in my book!
Wow congrats! That would certainly do it!
When I was training for my first longer race, a 10K, and I was snowed in with feet of snow (would have been impossible to run outside.) I put on snow boots and HIKED to the YMCA treadmill (this was before I had a treadmill) to get in my first 5 mile run just because it was on my training plan for that day.
Yes that does make you feel like a real runner!
I guess it was when I finished my first half marathon. I’d never thought about it before, but I knew doing 13.1 miles qualified.
It sure does!
love this post and everyone’s comments! if you run, you are a runner!
Thanks I love to see all the different responses everyone has too
I struggled with feeling like a real runner for a long time. And even though I said I felt it I don’t think I truly felt part of the club or that I belonged until I got my sub 2 hour half marathon recently.
How interesting! Thanks for sharing
When I ran the Nike Women’s half in SF and completed those hills that I had been dreading and still felt great was definitely a defining moment…. When I realized that I just had to run to deal with life…
I so want to do Nike SF but I am afraid of those hills!
I love this! But of course you were a real runner way before that red haired lady acknowledged you! I think the fact that I revolve a lot of what I do in everyday life around my running makes it pretty clear that I”m a runner, lol!
Good point! I feel like my life revolves around running more now with MRTT and girls on the run.
I love this post. I don’t think I considered myself a “real runner” until I ran my first half marathon. Crazy, right? All those miles but they didn’t count until I got a medal haha.
I think lots of runners feel that way!
Not for running but my realization for other fitness is when I started packing for vacation and had to get in my workout shoes, fitness clothing, ect. For running specifically when I am in a running phase is having shoes that are functional and I can’t always get the cutest or ones I have my eye on (don’t worry still get cute ones), and use them ONLY for running. Than of course other stuff once I need new ones.
Don’t even get me started on packing! 🙂
I started running initially to lose weight. I knew I was a runner when I started running because I wanted to, not because I felt like I “had” to for the sake of fitness.
OH that’s a good one! Thanks for sharing
I think anyone that run at all can consider themselves a real runner. I crave runs too and I will get ancy if a few days fo by that I haven’t run.
Me too!
Bra chafing…that’s a good one. For me, I knew that I was a “real” runner when I first went to be fit for running shoes.
Ah the bra chafing I could do without for sure
It’s been so long that I can’t remember for sure, but it could be the first time I bought “running” shoes, or set my alarm for 4:00 so I could run before work, or when I realized I have a lot more running clothes than work clothes.
Yes to all of those!
Aw I love this post! Omg that red head lives in my neighborhood too…wow, thats so weird. Its a small world!
Ha ha certainly is!
Haha, I still don’t know if I’d consider myself a ‘real runner’! 😉 But I suppose that moment for me was when was marathon training a few years ago and did a 14 mile run on a snowy day at the TRACK. I went insane, lol, but I got my run done.
I think that qualifies you for sure!
Great post. I don’t know when I knew I was a real runner. I think when I could finally run 6 miles without stopping.
Doesn’t that feel great?!
I knew I was a real runner when I ran a 5K before a 5K (then PRd) and then ran 9 miles after. I was always that person who said what are these people doing running before a race and in that moment I understood and knew I was now a “real” runner.
Wow! I still think those people are crazy!!
Haha I love the lost toenail answer but to be honest I think my answer might be the same! I was almost bragging about it to my family and boyfriend!! 😛
Yes it is an odd occurrence for sure
Love these posts! I knew I was a runner when I always kept a set of workout clothes and running shoes in my car just in case. I did a fun similar one here:
http://bucketlisttummy.com/you-might-be-a-runner-if/
Well that certainly qualifies you!
everytime i run a big race, i feel like a runner 🙂
It’s a great feeling isn’t it?
All the reasons listed. And, when I could speak the language haha!
Oh yeah we do have our own little language 🙂
It’s so interesting seeing everyone’s different perspective! It just goes to show how running is such an individual thing!
I found it so interesting too!
Right now I’m wondering if I’m a “real” runner because I haven’t been running. I’m just not loving it like I used to, but I’m taking it easy and I’m sure I’ll come back to it soon.
I honestly think we all go through phases like that where we get burned out or just need a rest. You will know when you are ready to come back and the great thing is that running will always be there.
I think as soon as I started to think of running as part of my lifestyle as opposed to just a now and then hobby it became real to me.
Running does become part of a lifestyle!
I knew I was a runner when I ran my first two mile PT test 🙂
Yes that will do it!
For me I believe it was when I committed to running through the winters here in VT. I had run on and off for years but never committed. Then after I had my first son and started running. And I fell in love. I didn’t have a treadmill and lived in an apartment so I didn’t have room for one. I kept running, outside, in cold temps and snow. By spring I knew I was a runner!
Happy Friday!
Oh yes running outside all winter def makes you a real runner!
yes to all of these! except waking up at 5 am, still cant do that lol. I would add when 95% of my laundry and things I pack for vacations are running clothes!
I still can’t get up that early to run either. I am a wreck the rest of the day
I get up at four, run (bike or swim) and am work by seven!
Ok that is seriously impressive! Now I feel lazy 🙂
I still don’t call myself a “runner” and I have loved to run for 45 years. I prefer “a woman who loves to run” (and bike and swim and lift and do yoga). I have won races overall (obscure things like Mica Mtn. Marathon and a 10k in a small school district where I once worked. I was made fun of when I started to run (friends and family) so am hesitant to call myself anything except my name and possibly my job description of “Speech/Language Pathologist” and of course “mom”.
Cheryl you are definitely a real runner to me!!
I can’t believe red haired runner wouldn’t wave to you until that day you were running in the rain – how rude. People who won’t return my wave or acknowledgement drive me nuts!
I know! It’s crazy how crazy some people are
I had imposter syndrome in a previous career. When I was a photographer I felt like a fake for a couple years. I eventually knew I was a photographer when a pro I admired asked me for some advice. So I know this feeling all too well.
The problem is, I still don’t feel like a “real runner.” I try … I get up early. I give it a go every day … but I can’t run for a solid period of time yet. I think when I can run say … 30 mins without walking? … maybe I’d feel like a real runner. Until then, the redhead will have to shake her head at me and not wave back.
If you run you are a real runner in my book! Thanks for sharing
I started running a few years ago to get healthier, and now I feel like a real runner when I finish running each day with so much sweat and get satisfaction about what I did.
I totally agree!