I have never been a runner. In fact, I never ran (except in gym class in grade school or to class in college) until last summer. Then about a year ago, I tried running at the gym as a form of cardio. And it went well. Because of the difference in burning calories with running, I kept doing it.
This is not what my brother looks like when running.
This summer, I did the Warrior Dash 5K. Then I did the Turkey Day 5K on Thanksgiving. And in between, I started doing a couch-to-5K running program.
To me, a runner is someone like my brother. He does a marathon every year, and he’s serious about his training for them. He’s not a run-at-the-gym-and-do-an-occasional-5K kind of person.
Yesterday, I signed up for another 5K with a friend of mine. And I really wanted to do it – I’m looking forward to it.
And then it hit me…I think I’m a runner.
When did that happen? I actually look forward to my workouts. I mean, it’s still not my favorite activity, but it’s easier to go workout because I know how great I’ll feel afterwards. It does clear my head. And I don’t like what it does to my mood when I haven’t worked out in a while.
So I guess that makes me a runner now? I run consistently (well, usually…we all go in cycles with workouts right?,) I like how I feel when running, and I willingly signed up for another 5K.
Plus there’s this…
Who doesn’t want that?
I had a similar journey except I never even ran in gym class. In fact, I was 30 before I ever ran a mile! I did a marathon last fall and it was interesting (snd oh so motivating) to hear the stories of all of the late-in-life runners. We all shared that tipping point of running ging from something we do to being something we are. Welcome to the club:)