The Rules To Become A Runner
Got a question for you -- Are you a runner?
If you said yes, congratulations. If you said no, was it because you put off filling out the 20 page application with 3 personal references, 4 professional references? Or, were you waiting on your score from the RAT (you know, the Running Acceptance Test - a runners version of the SAT) to see if you scored high enough. Or, wait, I know, you waited to call yourself an official runner because you dreaded the panel interview - whew - that is a tough one. Or maybe, it was the last part, the ethics review, psychological exam and background check? That one holds alot of us up.
You know none of this exists. There are no official rules, groups, oaths, tests to becoming a runner. But it seems even without these things, the scale we hold ourselves to before we declare we are a "runner" is 100 times more difficult. Many runners, myself included, has created all kinds of crazy rules, constraints and tests that we need to pass before we consider ourself officially in this exclusive organization. For me, I told myself that I wasn't a runner until I could run 4 miles without stopping, ran something close to a 10 minute mile without dying, and completed a real race. Where did I get these rules from? Who knows!
So why do we make it so hard? Why all the rules? Running is a quirky little sport with a close to 100 million or so runners. But even with such great numbers, it is an intensely personal sport. For as many runners that exist, there are as many rules and tests to join the club.
So, I am going out on a limb and make this a little easier for everyone. To all the people wondering if they are a runner - here is a simple test:
At least once in a while, do you engage in a motion that resembles running?
If your answer is yes, congratulations - you are officially a runner.
There is no minimum speed, weight limits, required distance, set number of goals, specific form, mandatory gadgets, a set path/trail/race, or experience level. If you have ever ran and if you run, you are a member in high standing. As a member, you have permission to skip a day, week or months of running. You may also run fast or slow and somedays agree that walking just feels the best. You can run in races or shun them entirely. You can run in your grubbiest Tshirt or the best gear - it just doesn't matter.
There is only rule in running. It is that you run YOUR run. You run YOUR race. You run to YOUR goals. Not goals or running based on things you make up in your head from what other people accomplish, but goals that feel good to you.
So, dump the doubt about if you are a runner or could be a runner. If you are reading this, I have no doubt you are an official member of a the very exclusive community of runners. Enjoy your membership!
PS...If you are still waiting on your membership certificate and password in the mail, the secret code to get in is "I am a runner."
Photo of No sign by Vicki & Chuck Rogers
Photo of Edison quote by nonetfirst
(Yes, there are a ton of links in this post - but there are tons of people out there finding out "yes - I am a runner"!)
Love the blog, and appreciate this post. I'll be reading regularly.
Posted by: Joe | July 14, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Even after running a marathon, I still hesitated to call myself a runner. Oh the mind games we play with ourselves!
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | July 14, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Interesting blog ... I never felt comfortable saying I was a runner until after my second half marathon. Now it's nice to say I'm training for my first marathon, but I have to do it first ... and for that reason alone, it make it tough to answer the question, "Am I a runner?"
Posted by: david | July 15, 2007 at 08:58 PM
I had been running for several years, and had completed several marathons and half marathons, but I didn't count them because I always ended up walking at least a mile of every race. I finally decided I was a runner after an 18 mile training run, with a few water stops, but no significant amount of walking. Even now when I proudly proclaim myself a runner, I worry that someone will shout my 5K time and call me a fraud ;) Great post!
Posted by: Database Diva | July 29, 2007 at 03:02 AM
Assuming the camera is being held by a person and judging by the size of things in the background, I think it might be safe to say that the hatch is about one body-length above the ground.
Posted by: Nike Air Max | June 08, 2011 at 05:38 AM
Time and tide wait for no man.
Posted by: Asics Shoes | July 28, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Friends are those who treat you kindly behind your back.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin | July 29, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Maturity is the stage in life when we may not see eye-to-eye, but we can still walk arm-in-arm.
sa
Posted by: Ed Hardy Swimwear | July 29, 2011 at 09:56 PM
One is always on a strange road, watching strange scenery and listeningto strange music. Then one day, you will find that the things you tryhard to forget are already gone.
4
Posted by: Ed Hardy | August 01, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Love makes man grow up or sink down.
2
Posted by: Swimwear Bikinis | August 01, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Books are to mankind what memory is to the individual.
4
Posted by: Buy Sandals | August 01, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Art for art's sake is an empty phrase. Art for the sake of the true, art for the sake of the good and the beautiful, that is the faith I am searching for.
1
Posted by: Vibram 5 Fingers | August 01, 2011 at 09:35 PM
You can share some of your article, I'm like you write something, really very good! I will continue to focus on.
Posted by: Air Max Shoes | August 02, 2011 at 09:50 PM
As a rule, men habitually use only a small part of the powers which they actually possess.
Posted by: Buy Sandals | August 03, 2011 at 09:06 PM
A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
Posted by: Vibram 5 Fingers | August 03, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Never done in the article comments, this is my first network comments, appreciate you sharing. Very good article
Posted by: Asics Tiger | August 03, 2011 at 10:01 PM
This is a great topic - writing about it really helped remind me of what I loved about last summer. Thank you for that. (And now it's making me consider strongly when I might do another one.
Posted by: ed hardy clothing | August 08, 2011 at 01:39 AM
Thanks for the write up! This is really some great stuff here! Wishing for a following post for the similar subject.
Posted by: Ken Griffey Jr Shoes | August 08, 2011 at 09:15 PM
I was somewhat hesitant to purchase this ring b/c it was less expensive then most other vendors. I was just worried.. 'you get what you pay for'.
Posted by: tiffany jewelry | August 25, 2011 at 11:30 PM
So, dump the doubt about if you are a runner or could be a runner. If you are reading this, I have no doubt you are an official member of a the very exclusive community of runners. Enjoy your membership!
Posted by: cheap jerseys | September 26, 2011 at 03:21 AM
So fun article is! I agree the idea!
Posted by: cheap jerseys | November 03, 2011 at 02:01 AM
Nice one! Never thought of it. I used to add on delicious, but your idea is more better.
Posted by: Cheap Nike Shoes | December 29, 2011 at 08:47 PM
I am going through this post and thinking of it’s theme and attempting to grasp what's this post regarding.
Posted by: Torrey Smith Jersey | January 07, 2013 at 03:33 AM