When can you call yourself a runner?

[pensgirl10]

Unlike others, I do not mind put a number/motion/restriction on myself. Have always done it. Just the way I am. As for others, what they are comfortable with is all that matters.

That wasn't my point. I don't think you can put the *same* number on every person.

 

[JCH]

The day you feel bad about not running.

I agree with this! I started run/walking this summer and when this day came, I knew I was a runner....ok, so technically a Gallowayer, but explaining that to people outside this boards is just confusing, so I'll stick with runner for now even if the purists get mad

 

[AmyBeth68]

I agree with this! I started run/walking this summer and when this day came, I knew I was a runner....ok, so technically a Gallowayer, but explaining that to people outside this boards is just confusing, so I'll stick with runner for now even if the purists get mad

Love it! I know that some purists (especially on Runners World forums) don't believe in the "run/walk" method but Jeff Galloway is unquestionably a running legend, a running coach and an expert. His method has allowed a LOT of people (myself included) to be able to compete in endurance events while preventing injuries. Call yourself a runner with pride . And yeah, I don't say I "run/walk" I say I run and usually follow it up with "albeit slowly" LOL. But that's just me and my personal issues with my pace.

 

[windwalker]

I'll throw another log on the fire here just to make it interesting. If you walk a marathon are you still a marathoner?

Windwalker

 

[FireDancer]

I'll throw another log on the fire here just to make it interesting. If you walk a marathon are you still a marathoner?

Windwalker

Sure, why not? You aren't a marathon runner but if you do a marathon at any speed (well, under the allotted time for that particular marathon) you are a marathoner.

Really though, even if someone who walks wants to call themselves a runners I don't care. There are so many sedentary people in this country that I think it is great that people do any kind of physical activity. If calling yourself a runner when you walk or do the Galloway method makes you feel better about yourself and it keeps you doing it than by all means call yourself a runner and get out there.

Just whatever you do, don't call me a jogger!

 

[pensgirl10]

I'll throw another log on the fire here just to make it interesting. If you walk a marathon are you still a marathoner?

Windwalker

Runners, walkers, Gallowalkers....heck, I did some walking after mile 20....am *I* a marathoner?!?

 

[AmyBeth68]

According to the online dictionary:

marathoner - someone who participates in long-distance races (especially in marathons)

So yes sir Windwalker! I think I stated earlier that we are all endurance athletes (which encompasses marathoners) in my estimation anyway. I'm not an elite athlete and never will be...but I did complete a marathon so I can use the moniker IMO. I've had times of doubt when I considered scraping my 26.2 sticker off the back windshield...but I realized that i earned the right to keep it there as does anyone who finishes a marathon. Be it walking, running, wheelchair racing, jogging or crawling.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I just wanted to add that a wise person said something to me earlier when I was discussing this very topic. I said...how can I call myself a runner if I can't maintain a marathon pace faster than 10 mpm? Doesn't that just make me a "jogger" which honestly feels like a dirty word in the running community.

His response:

"If you play basketball, which you did, did you call yourself a "basketball player" or did you just say you threw a ball at a hoop? You called yourself a basketball player! Just because you aren't Kobe Bryant, it doesn't mean you aren't doing the same activity and earned the right to the title. Most of the population who plays basketball won't ever be Kobe. Just like most "runners" won't ever finish a marathon in 2 hours. Move on. You're a runner."

Thought this logic might help some of us here. Thanks scojo15 .

Ultimately it's not about making myself feel better...I just think it's about semantics LOL.

 

[windwalker]

Ok here is the official Panda approved answer to the question. First let me give you some back ground on the lowly Panda's past.

I was a regular runner had been since the early 70s. I wasn't blazing but when I was in good form I would be in the 7s and occasionally dip into the high 6s for my pace. My best 10K which used to be the most popular race was around 47 min. After I retired from the Air Force I took 7 years off from exercise, (seemed like a good idea at the time). I returned to running when I turned 50, and for two years did well, every week was a PR as I got back into the swing of it. Then I tore my achillies tendon. I couldn't run anymore without pain. But I did, I still tried to run for a year. Finally after a year of pain, treatment, more pain, more PT, more pain, I gave in. I had seen the few race walkers here battle it out at the races and decided to try it. For me switching to walking was very very hard. It was such a lesser sport, I was a runner not a stinking walker, Grrrrr!!

Well I started training as a walker and realized I was training to be a good walker the same way I would train for running. I do intervals for speed training, I do LSD for endurance and I do tempo walks for stamina. I compete against other walkers and do races where I'm the only walker.

Here is what I have discovered over the last 6 years as a race walker. We are all Moving Forward, (Humm where have I heard that before), when you go to a race there are bunches of different style of moving the body forward. If you looked at me race walk and didn't know what I was doing you would think I was doing a kinda funny stiff legged run. I don't call myself a runner since I'm not in my sport of moving forward motion running is cheating if your racing against other race walkers. But I do call myself a marathoner since I can't even remember the number of marathons and halfs I've done over the last 40 years.

Dave

 

[SAHDad]

I'll throw another log on the fire here just to make it interesting. If you walk a marathon are you still a marathoner?

Windwalker

Why not? It's not as though a walked marathon has fewer miles or anything. Heck, IMO, it's easier to run the distance rather than walk it - I'm done earlier, off my feet earlier, the aid stations are better stocked earlier in the day, the crowd support is stronger earlier in the day, and the weather is often nicer. I run so I can finish earlier, because I am a wuss.

I often tell novice runners about a story I heard, where a reporter managed to snag the DLF (dead last finisher) and the first place runner of a marathon in a post-race interview. The winner had showered, gotten food and a massage, and the DLF was still in running clothes, drenched in sweat and caked with salt.

The reporter says "Winner, you finished this marathon in two hours, twelve minutes. And DLF, you finished the same course in seven hours."

The DLF looked at the winner in amazement and said "You were able to run the whole race in only two hours?"

And the winner looked at the DLF and said, in equal amazement, "You were able to keep moving for seven hours?"

 

[CaptHomer]

My fastest mile to date is 8:36, my fastest training 13.12 miles is 2:06:16 as per my Garmin 305[/b].

That is a fast walking mile! I couldn't keep one foot on the ground at all times at that pace.

SAHDad
"Current running streak - 1134 days in a row."

That is the most impressive stat I have heard.


I will go ahead and call myself a runner. At least 2 days (avg probably 3) a week for the last 20 years. Although I haven't run a race in almost 20.

 

[FFigawi]

Great story. Reminds me of talking to a friend of mine who races Ironmans. I told her how amazed I was that she does that, as she told me she was amazed I can run 50-mile ultras. All a matter of perspective.

 

[rubato]

Great story. Reminds me of talking to a friend of mine who races Ironmans. I told her how amazed I was that she does that, as she told me she was amazed I can run 50-mile ultras. All a matter of perspective.

Absolutely. My husband is amazed at how far and fast I can run. I am amazed at how much weight he can lift (like 400 pounds). Mostly, I'm just amazed that he still puts up with me and all my running craziness!

 

[CaptHomer]

Absolutely. My husband is amazed at how far and fast I can run. I am amazed at how much weight he can lift (like 400 pounds). Mostly, I'm just amazed that he still puts up with me and all my running craziness!

I think you would be hard pressed to find someone who could run a sub 4 (maybe 5) marathon and also bench 400.

 

[SAHDad]

SAHDad
"Current running streak - 1134 days in a row."

That is the most impressive stat I have heard.


I will go ahead and call myself a runner. At least 2 days (avg probably 3) a week for the last 20 years. Although I haven't run a race in almost 20.

Yeah, that's a runner.

Regarding the streak - it's not that impressive; barely over three years. (There are people out there whose running streak spans decades! ) All it means is that I have been lucky enough to not get seriously injured or sick in that time, and that I am stubborn/crazy/stupid enough to run when I am a little sick or injured. (FWIW, when I started doing this, I basically said that if I found myself screaming, moaning or whimpering in pain, I was done. Hasn't happened yet, although a few runs have been less than pleasant.)

 

[CaptHomer]

Yeah, that's a runner.

Regarding the streak - it's not that impressive; barely over three years. (There are people out there whose running streak spans decades! ) All it means is that I have been lucky enough to not get seriously injured or sick in that time, and that I am stubborn/crazy/stupid enough to run when I am a little sick or injured.

Sir, it is impressive by any standard. Just the fact that you would run every day on vacation (obviously you go to Disney since you are in this forum) is something I would never do. I "try" to either run or go the hotel gym while on vacation at least once but that is about it.

I run or lift weights each day. I think I am doing good when I can go a month straight and not miss. It's been a while with the knee problems and the DS sport's activities.

 

[pensgirl10]

No, it IS that impressive. It means you're getting out there when you're tired, ill, when the weather is bad, when life gets crazy busy.

I've been known to drive to the park, sit there a few minutes, then talk myself into going home. Only a couple of times but still. It's hot, the only other person here is creepy-looking, whatever, there's always an excuse and some people take it. You don't. Good for you.

 

[paxsarah]

I think the best thing I ever did when I started back to running last year (I ran a bit - slowly! - in the early 2000's before kids) was give myself permission to run/walk. I remember being so stubborn and proud that I ran the Army Ten Miler in 2002 by running the whole way, and now (if all goes according to plan in a week, knock on wood) I'm looking at completing a half-marathon in a similar finishing time using run/walk.

I am a runner. Looking back, I know I could have called myself one from day one, but it took a while before I felt like one. It wasn't any one thing - it was starting to actually like it, it was finishing races and getting geeked about PRs, it was listening to running podcasts, it was completing milestone distances, it was slogging it out in the summer just to keep my base going, it was going from three days to five days of running a week. But I think anyone who gets out there and does some running has full license to call themselves a runner.

 

[dragitoff]

Yesterday, I used the run/walk method. My DD7 was sick and DW had been home with her all week. I relieved her yesterday and while DD7 was napping, I decided to roll the treadmill into the living room, put on a movie, and go for a long-distance, slow-paced run. I had been reading alot about the run/walk methods and the previous long I had ever run was 8.5 miles (with no walking). Yesterday, I ran 11.1 miles averaging about 10mm. I ran 5 minutes and walked 1. I could have honestly gone farther had I not had to stop to pick DD10 up from school. I felt great. I'm honestly a little sore today, but not really bad at all.

I don't know whether or not I could have made that distance (at least at this point) unless I did those little walk breaks. I started it from the very beginning because I remember reading so much about how you finish a race is very much determined by how you start one.

I must say, I respect the heck out of anyone who finished a marathon, regardless of the method. I didn't quite do a 1/2 on a treadmill yesterday. I see, I've still got some serious training to go before my first 1/2 in March.

 

[jmasgat]

dragitoff Congrats on going the distance (wait, I'm hearing Hercules song in the background!). Sounds like you will be in great shape when your half comes around.

Speaking of streaks, I saw this link on Runner's World this morning.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-10/news/30263405_1_bow-ties-bursitis-fulbright


And when I ran Boston this year, I was behind a guy who had a home made shirt on that described his decades-long streak. It did have a 2-day interruption......when he had a heart attack! Just 2 days off! Crazy.

Maura