A lot of people bash running because they say it's too hard. Even people who run bash running for being too hard. Running may not be easy, but it's something you can do throughout most of your life with very little equipment. For such reasons, a sort of cult of slow runners has emerged. We may be slow, but we won't stop.
1. Running a set amount of minutes rather than a set amount of miles
Depending on the day, 40 minutes could be four miles or a little over five, but five miles is ALWAYS five miles.
2. You get a little salty when people refer to it as “jogging”
You plan your runs. You set personal goals and sign yourself up for races. You practice good eating and hydration. This is not as casual as just going for a “jog.”
3. Telling your brain “as long as I don’t walk” every 30 seconds
You see a giant hill and the first thing that goes through your mind is “as long as I don’t have walk,” even if that means you’re going at turtle speed.
4. You’ve perfected the gym class shuffle for moments when you don’t think you can go on anymore
But as long as you don’t walk, right?
5. That “uh oh” moment in a race when the person you decided to use to pace yourself just starts slow but picks it up too much halfway through
You thought you found a fellow slow runner. Instead you found someone with an inconsistent pace and now you’re in trouble.
6. Telling yourself “I can eat X” when you get done with your run
Cookies, pizza, pasta, drinking a cold bottle of water, literally whatever it takes to get you through your run.
7. Forming strong bonds with other slow runners because you NEED someone to chat with during laid back runs
We easily connect with other runners, especially those with similar paces to our own.
8. Watching your speedy friends and wondering how they do it
Is it the shoes? Do they have some type of superpower? What in God’s name could I do to get that fast?
9. Knowing your routes like the back of your hand
When you’re going slower you tend to see more of your scenery, meaning you know the ins and outs of every regular route you run.
10. Still being proud because you can say you run knowing it’s the best form of exercise out there
Even if it’s at a slow pace, at least you spent that time being active rather than sitting on the couch.
At the end of the day, no matter how slow or quick, we are doing healthy things for our bodies which is a win in my book.
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