Are You A “Real” Runner?

by John Corbett, featured in Tailwinds June/July, 2003

“I’m not really a runner.” I hear that one at least once each week from people who come in to our running store. “I only run 20-25 miles per week” I hear that quite often as well, and it is usually said as though the person saying it is apologizing for not doing more. Another one that makes me smile is “I’m really slow…I’m only running at an 8 minute per mile pace”. And the comment that I hear the most is “I’m only a walker”.

So what is the definition of a runner? How far do you have to run before you can call yourself a runner? What pace do you have to run to be considered fast? And what’s wrong with being a walker? Nothing, as far I am concerned!

I must admit, I fell into the same self-deprecating trap when I started running at the age of 43. I started as a walker and slowly reduced the amount of walking and increased the amount of running until I could run for 30 minutes without walking. At the time I was embarrassed to call what I did running; I called it jogging. I, too, did not think I was a runner. I was wrong.

I also misled the guys at our local running store. When they asked me how much I was running, I told them 25-30 miles per week, even though some weeks I was doing less than 10. Some of the “real” runners that I knew were doing 30-50 miles each week and I thought that’s what was required to be a member of the running fraternity. I was wrong about that, too.

Have you ever wondered why those of us who run are so hard on ourselves?
I would like to share a story that still has me scratching my head. A woman came in to the store a few months ago with the “I’m not really a runner” comment. During our conversation I learned that she has run at least one half-marathon and was training for the L.A. Marathon this spring. I asked why she did not consider herself to be a real runner, and her answer amazed me. “I have not run a marathon yet”. In her mind she would not be a “real” runner until she had completed a marathon. I wonder what Steve Prefontaine, Jim Ryan, Billy Mills and other former Olympians at less than the marathon distance would think of that!

Now, I realize that the only time you should offer your opinion to anyone is if they ask for it. My wife would tell you that this is a lesson I have yet to learn, especially as it relates to our grown children and other runners. But here goes…

If you run, you are a runner.

Pace or distance does not matter. Period.

If your best 5K time last year was 28:00 minutes and you just ran a 5K last weekend in 27:15, you just took approximately 15 seconds per mile off your time and ran a 5K at a pace that is fast FOR YOU. That is terrific!

As for you walkers out there, you are awesome! We run a marathon training group out of the store. There are 7 pace groups including a walking group. One day early last year only one walker showed up, so I did a 4 mile walk with her at her pace. I struggled to keep up and my hips hurt for 3 days. This same walker completed the Rock n’ Roll Marathon last June at a 16:00 minute per mile pace. Sound easy? It’s not. The effort it took her to complete that same 26.2 miles was equal to, if not greater than, the effort expended by some of the runners who ran the same distance in under 4 hours. And that effort is worth celebrating.

Effort and persistence are the true benchmarks for the term “athlete”. You don’t become an athlete or a runner when you start running 7 minute miles. You become an athlete when you step out the front door in pursuit of a personal fitness goal, no matter how modest.

We were all created differently. No two of us are alike. We have different feet, legs, hearts, lungs and biomechanics. I am 50 years old with bowed legs, tight hamstrings and IT bands, a bad back, reduced lung function due to who knows what and a slightly torn tendon in my ankle. If I were strictly a “results oriented” runner, comparing what I can do to others who are more naturally gifted, I would be terribly disappointed. But I’m not. I celebrate every opportunity I have to get out and get moving, at whatever pace and distance that I can manage on that day. I hope you will do the same, because in my mind if you can do that, you are a true athlete and a “real” runner!  

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Aricles:

Who Are Your Running Heroes? - Are You A "Real" Runner? - Exercise Measured In Effort, Not Miles - Finding your relationship with exercise - Inspiration