As I made my way down the winding sidewalks of our neighboring subdivision, I picked my eyes up off my bright blue shoe laces and saw an elderly gentlemen sitting outside on his front porch. Jogging by, I raised my hand and yelled out, saying hello. My heart still sinks as I replay his response in my head: “I wish I could run.” Although a simple phrase, I carry these words with me, reminding me every day since that I am blessed to have the ability to go wherever my feet may lead me.
Whether you have just finished your first 5k or are heading into your sixth half marathon, I believe we all belong to an elite group. We are strong-minded; we are self-motivated; we are absolutely out of our minds. We are runners, and you may be one too.
1. You may be a runner if your idea of therapy is a seven mile trail through the woods.
Whether you are faced with a breakup, are in an argument with your best friend, or have heard that One Direction has finally called it quits, running is cheaper than therapy and you get a great butt.
2. You may be a runner if you cry out in agony when a charlie horse surprises you at 3 a.m.
As you slide out of bed and onto the floor, you curse yourself for not stretching out your calves and are given a solid minute of pain to think about your careless mistake.
3. You may be a runner if you cannot tell what is cooler, the tan lines from your socks or your T-shirts.
As the great Papa Roach says, the tan lines *scars* remind us that the past is real.
4. You may be a runner if you drink more water than Bobby Boucher.
If you forget your Camelbak or Contigo at home, you have faced the ultimate loss. It looks like you will be visiting the drinking fountain every 10 minutes and the bathroom every 20.
5. You may be a runner if you question your sanity, every half mile or so, but keep going anyways.
Asking why you are enduring this pain for fun is a question everyone, even yourself, has asked. You may contemplate twisting your ankle on purpose two miles in, but by the finish, you are so proud that you kept fighting. Yes, this a constant cycle of pain and pleasure.
6. You may be a runner if you eat bananas religiously.
Do you have cramps? Eat a banana. Do you need more energy? Eat a banana. Do you want the courage to text your crush? Eat a banana.
7. You may be a runner if you prefer Asics and Saucony over Nike and Adidas.
Your new Roshes may look great strolling through campus, but a runner knows that you should hit the trails with your best foot forward, wearing the most supportive (and colorful) shoes available.
8. You maybe a runner if you use the odometer in your vehicle to track miles for future runs.
Creating alternative running routes as you drive around town is a perfect excuse to listen to Young the Giant's new album. Seven miles seems like a journey from coast to coast, as you get stuck in traffic and stopped at every red light, and you are amazed you can actually run this far.
9. You may be a runner if you picture yourself as Rocky Balboa in training, as you tackle hill climbs.
In a perfect world, you would look as cool as you feel, as you make your way to the top.
10. You may be a runner if Eminem, Queen, and AC/DC fastens your pace, regardless of how tired you thought you were.
"Lose Yourself," "We Will Rock You," and "Highway to Hell" start a fire under your butt and without hesitation, you drop 30 seconds off your mile time.
11. You may be a runner if you have to do laundry three times more often than your friends.
From the neon athletic shorts to the old high school t-shirts, your running wardrobe takes up half your drawers, and all of the detergent. If you do not do laundry, by the end of the week you will be hitting the roads in a sports bra that is too small, socks from middle school, shorts that let your 'chub rub' and a stained up shirt that is ripping at the armpits.
12. You may be a runner if while driving, you pass a runner and subconsciously cheer them on.
Seeing people running gets you hyped up and you may even envy that while they are running, you are headed to work. Not to worry though, they reminded you that you need to run when you get home.
13. You may be a runner if you are too uncoordinated to participate in any other sports.
You tried other sports, and lets just say they did not go as planned. Now, no one can blame you for missing a goal or tackling your own teammate. You are solely responsible for your bad ass achievements.
14. You may be a runner if you have stepped into the shower with your socks still on.
You may even debate taking them off once they are already wet. Hey, it is one last thing that has to get washed with the rest of your laundry.
15. You may be a runner if there is nothing comparable to crossing the finish line.
The moment you cross the finish line, you are hit with a wall of pride and pure exhaustion. All of your sacrifices, failures and successes during training led you to the finish line, but your journey is not quite over. You are already thinking about what race you will take on next before your shoes are untied. You are a fighter. You are a victor. You are a runner, and that is what runners do.
