Real runners

[wvjules]

So I'm out running Monday evening and there were a lot of runners out. I mean real runners, not 'runners' like me. I felt out of place like I didn't belong out there with them. I get nervous when I see them and start walking. Is anyone else like that? By the end of this year I will have completed 3 half marathons. Will I feel like I belong by then?

I want to be a real runner! I want to be faster! I want to be proud of what I do. Why do I not feel this way right now? *sigh* I completed a half marathon for goodness sakes!

 

[cewait]

You ARE a real runner. The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry form! IT's all about vision.

 

[verticalchaos]

So I'm out running Monday evening and there were a lot of runners out. I mean real runners, not 'runners' like me. I felt out of place like I didn't belong out there with them. I get nervous when I see them and start walking. Is anyone else like that? By the end of this year I will have completed 3 half marathons. Will I feel like I belong by then?

I want to be a real runner! I want to be faster! I want to be proud of what I do. Why do I not feel this way right now? *sigh* I completed a half marathon for goodness sakes!

I second what Coach said.

I also know the feeling. I also do a run/walk plan, and I know for a fact that it works for me. I remember the Saturday before the NYC Marathon last year, I was doing a training run (yes, I call them runs...I'm running the majority of the time) in Central Park, and some wannabe hotshot passed me with some of his buddies who I guess were in town to watch him in the marathon. They happened to pass as I was transitioning to a walk interval, and I have no clue if the comment was directed towards me, but he clearly said "Ah yeah...see, all these people think 'Oh Marathon! I should run!'" as they were just past me. And I let it bug me, and I paid the price later in the training run as I pushed FAR too hard to try and prove myself. (Of course, I never caught up to them.) I learned then and there to tune out whatever I hear people say. If they can run full-out for 26.2 miles, more power to them. Would I like to? Sure, but I'll take things as I can do them.

It's easier said/typed than done...even for me. So I definitely feel your pain.

BUT WE ARE RUNNERS TOO!!!! I keep waiting for the "I'm not slow, I'm speed challenged" shirt to come out!

 

[carissanboys]

I know exactly how you feel and I struggle with not comparing myself and my achievements to others. The funny thing is, I find the running community to be so supportive! I really don't feel like the "real runners" out there are looking at us and laughing. It's all about doing the best YOU can do.

 

[fashionista311]

I think it's all relative, and the neat thing about this sport is that everyone can participate. There is always going to be someone out there that is fitter, faster and stronger than you....unless your name happens to be Haile Gebrselassie.

Don't sweat it...the "real runners" are likely to way too busy concentrating on their workouts...and besides, you never know who is looking at you wishing they could a "real runner" like you!

 

[Cindylou]

Jules, Know that you aren't alone in feeling that way. I've been running for 30+ years and I still get intimidated sometimes by "real runners". Sometimes I feel like I need to list how many marathons I've done just to show them I am a runner, but they probably don't have an issue with me, it's just me thinking they do.

Just be confident that you're doing the best you can right now and if you stick with it you will be faster. There will always be people who want to belittle you to make themselves feel better be it in running, fashion, body size/type, finances. You can't let what others might be thinking bother you. And chances are they aren't really thinking what you imagine they are. There are probably plenty of people who look at you walk/running and think, wow, I wish I could be that fit.

Cindy

 

[johde]

You're definately not alone in your feelings. I think it's something that just takes time, especially for someone who has never done this before. In my case, I started out as a walker, and trained for a year to walk the Cleveland half marathon. Towards the end of training for Cleveland my attempts at running start to take hold. Prior to that I was trying to run too fast. So then in my mind I became a walker to threw in some running. Right now, my walking is slightly less than my running in terms of time and significally less in term of distance. In terms of who I am I still feel like that walker who runs as I transition to the reverse, a runner who takes walk breaks. I'm even working on running shorter distances of 1 to 2 miles without the walk breaks.

So, while I'll say "I'm going running", I don't often call myself a runner. Calling myself "a runner" may suggest more permanence about who I am, while "going running" is something I do.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Anyone who goes out for a run is a runner If you compare yourself to anyone else who runs, there will *always* be someone who's faster than you. But you'll always be faster than someone else too! Remember it takes a few years of running and training to build up the endurance to be fast.

If you're part of a running group, try talking to the faster runners. Most of the time, they're happy to talk to you about speed work, nutrition and other exercises like plyo you can do to be faster. Or the next time you see them out on your run, try using them as a pacer even if it's for something short like 50 m. Then the next time, run behind them for 100 m. You'll get there!

Occasionally, you will come across a fast runner who's a jerk. I did last year when I tried to work with someone on my speed and he said I ran about as fast as his four-year-old. My pacing for a 5K wasn't that bad either - I can finish in just over 27 minutes but for whatever reason, he felt the need to be rude. My reply was that it's easy to be fast when you're running a 5K. Try running a longer distance sometime. That's the one and only time I've ever made a crack at someone for running short distances but I felt it was deserved. So I guess I was a jerk too!

 

[TnTsParty]

I agree you are a runner - I too struggle with this same issue. I always say run/walk instead of just run because that is what I do and I don't want anyone to think I am trying to play myself off as a "runner" I also tend to find "true" runners in the running community embrace the people like you and me and lots of other people who are turning to this wonderful sport and participating in these races and bringing more awareness for running and fitness in general. The ones who say discouraging things are few and far between and they are just dumb snobs anyway so don't pay attention to them - just remember there are lots more out there that are encouraging to run/walkers like us.

I tend to downplay my accomplishments and my DH is always telling me not to do that. I guess being on this message board and on FB with alot of other running/walking friends I treat my accomplishments as no big deal - where I guess it really is a big deal considering 4 years ago I first started run/walking and could barely "survive" 3 miles and I have now done 2 Goofy's and 1 other full and 1 other 1/2.

Be PROUD of your accomplishments - you have completed a half marathon and plan to complete 3 this year - that is AWESOME. Not everyone can get out there and run the entire thing and that's the great thing - you don't have to. Everyone has their own pace and a limit to what their body will allow them to go - just keep up the good work and be proud of what you have accomplished so far.

 

[Saylan]

When I told my Dad I was running the Princess and I told him my run/walk intervals, his response was "that's not running". He used to be a track athlete (among other sports) and he did things like wind sprints etc which I guess he was comparing to my program.

I told him the speeds I do them and the distance and as my distances went up and up and up in the long runs, he stopped saying it's not running. When I brought the medal over, he didn't say a word about it other than he was proud and thought I made great time.

Point is, you're a runner. Don't let what anyone else thinks/says make you doubt that. And honestly, even if you walk it, that doesn't make you less of a person. I'd rather cheer on someone who is trying their best and gets swept or comes across last than someone who won't try at all or judges those who do.

 

[cloudnut220]

I totally agree with everyone who says anyone who gets out there is a runner. There will always people people faster and slower than you, no matter your speed. Running is about racing yourself. I may never win my AG in a single race, but as long as my times keep getting better, I'm winning the race against myself!

 

[joan4mickey]

Merriam-Webster

Definition of RUNNER

1
a : one that runs

Well appears one that runs is a runner!

 

[wvjules]

I do find runners as a group to be welcoming and encouraging to those new to the sport. I have not been treated badly by a runner. I will never run a half marathon in 2.5 hours and I am so happy that I finished Disney and that accomplishemtn was huge. My goal was to finish. lol

I am glad I am not alone in feeling this way though.

 

[fashionista311]

My pacing for a 5K wasn't that bad either - I can finish in just over 27 minutes but for whatever reason, he felt the need to be rude. My reply was that it's easy to be fast when you're running a 5K. Try running a longer distance sometime. That's the one and only time I've ever made a crack at someone for running short distances but I felt it was deserved. So I guess I was a jerk too!

meh, he started it

I will never run a half marathon in 2.5 hours 2

says who?!? it's good to have long-term goals and to dream big...and you'll be amazed what you can accomplish along the way

 

[FireDancer]

Anyone who runs at any pace is a runner. I think sometimes people take what is meant as humor (like the Pearl Izumi ads) seriously and think fast people look down on them. I have never felt that way either from faster runners or towards slower ones.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Love this thread and totally LOVE this.....

The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry form!

It's going on my fridge!

And yeah, I have issue with the whole "athlete" thing. By the end of this year, I will have done 3 marathons also but I don't feel like I'm a runner or an athlete. On the days that i don't train, I feel guilty and like I'm a slug. I know that I need to rest days to build but still feel enormous guilt when I don't train. Then only feel "worthy" after doing 6 or more miles. Training and racing is such a mental thing.

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

It is such a mental thing! People call me a runner and I just started. I have to keep myself from correcting them. Running isn't a time or a distance. It's something we all do for a variety of reasons but we come together because it is something we love enough to keep doing over and over.

Runners run. Rinse and repeat.

 

[SAHDad]

Almost certainly false, but this story just sounds too good:

Some time ago, a reporter managed to get a side by side interview with the winner of a large marathon, as well as the last place finisher, who had crossed the line just as they were getting ready to take down the clock. The first place finisher has already cleaned up, gotten a post-race massage, eaten, and done a couple of quick interviews. The last place finisher is still covered in sweat, salt streaks, and vaseline.

The interviewer looks at the two, and says to the winner "You finished in two hours, six minutes, and thirteen seconds." Then to the last place "You finished in seven hours, forty-two minutes, and twelve seconds. Is there anything you would like to say to each other?"

The last pace looks at the winner, and says "You were able to finish the race in only two hours?" And the winner looks at the last place, and says "You were able to keep runnig for almost eight hours?"

The race doesn't get any shorter if you are out there longer - it's not as though the finish line gets moved up every twenty minutes or something. It just gets hotter, with less crowd support and often depleted aid stations.

OP (and others) - most runners are very supportive of other runners, regardless of ability. There are a few (and, IME, they all have race times within a certain margin) who frown on those who aren't as fast - ignore jerks like that, and just run the race at your own pace. Ultimately, the only race that matters is the one against yourself.

 

[cewait]

most runners are very supportive of other runners, regardless of ability. There are a few (and, IME, they all have race times within a certain margin) who frown on those who aren't as fast - ignore jerks like that, and just run the race at your own pace. Ultimately, the only race that matters is the one against yourself.

Truer words cannot be spoken (or written in this case). We are a supportive sport and most runners from elite down to the last person crossing all have one goal...crossing the line.

 

[WVUFan]

When I first said I was going to run a marathon, a co-worker who runs should me how far 26.2 miles was on a trip and said, "Do you really think you can run this?" I told her probably and I was going to give it all I had. The only race we have ever both run was my first 5k. At the next board meeting she told everyone by how much she beat me. It was discouraging, but I'm the type of person that uses that to motivate. Yes, she runs abour 40 miles a week, but I run around 30 which I don't think is bad. She has never said anthing to me when I have finished a race since- good or bad.

Luckily, I have come to realize that she does not represent the majority of the running community. All of us are runners who can be encouraging one another and having fun!