When can a runner call herself a runner?

[anigo]

Here's a question for you.

I've been running off and on now for about a year and a half, maybe two years. Maybe even longer, truth be known. Maybe more off than on. Lately more on than off. Since about Christmas I've been running between 4 and 6km 3x a week. Not always mind you, the week before last I took the week off. The week before that I only ran 2x. But you get the picture.

The thing is, I like it, but I really don't LOVE it. I like it more than I did, but really, the whole inertia thing, getting my ass off the chair and doing it... meh. And there will be times that I'm running that I say "Why the hell am I doing this?" and really just want to stop. Not that I'm tired, not that things hurt, just because I'm not loving it. But the truth of the matter is, I don't despise it, it's an easy and cheap exercise that I don't need equipment or a gym membership or anything, and I like how it makes me feel *after* I've done it. But I don't actually LOVE doing it. And I'm incredibly, ridiculously slow.

So, I sail (in case you don't know) I sail most Saturdays in the summer from about Mid/Late May to the end of September. Not all Saturdays, and once in a while there will be a regatta where there might be four days of sailing. So what, let's say 20 races a season. But I LOVE it. I breathe it. It's in my bones and my blood and all those other dramatic things.

I am a sailor, despite the fact I only sail 20 days a year.

Interestingly enough, I also consider myself a swimmer, though I haven't ever swam competitively, and haven't even swam laps in a lane with competitive swimmers in a year and a half.

I've run in excess of 200 kilometers spread out over at least 50 runs since January 1st of this year. Yet for some reason I don't consider myself a runner. Belle helped the other day after I had a poor result in a race. She said a runner is a person who runs, therefore I'm a runner. That helped, but still, I can easily say I'm a sailor. I can almost as easily say I'm a swimmer, yet I have a hard time saying I'm a runner.

Why do you think that is?

On that note, I'm actually supposed to be running now, so I'm going to go do that.

As you were... but your feedback is welcome.

Comments

[fyremaven.livejournal.com]

you are a runner and a swimmer, now all you have to do is ride a bike and we can save time and money and just call you a triathlete!

:D

why do i think that is....(to your rhetorically question) i think it's because at some point you hated your mom.

;-)

[anigo.livejournal.com]

One of the many many reasons I love you. You always have the good answers.

And bonus points for style.

[angielabrie.livejournal.com]

I am a runner. There are times (days, even weeks or months) when I hate every step I take as a runner, but overall I can't quit-I. Just. Can't. You >are< a runner, because I am willing to bet that you feel the same way I do.

And sailor chicks rule all! You should try to catch some Wednesday night action for PHRFs at your club! GOOD TIMES!

[framlingem.livejournal.com]

I can't quit-I. Just. Can't.

They tried making a 12-step program for that, but people turned it into 13 steps, then 14, and before they know it they'd gone three miles in every direction and the meeting hall was empty.

[anigo.livejournal.com]

The Saturdays are PHRF races. The club's about an hour from home and I can't make their Wednesday night races, just the Saturday ones. (our boat doesn't tend to race on Wednesday nights anyway). There are closer clubs, but I don't have it in me to juggle the crew commitment. I've been with my crew for about 8 years and couldn't even think of standing them up for a race on another boat.

Good stuff, wah? :).

[framlingem.livejournal.com]

I've got a similar dilemna - I write. I write a lot. I write frequently. I write reasonably well.

To me, though, a writer is someone who has been PUBLISHED. For MONEY.

[anigo.livejournal.com]

You're totally a writer. No question. But I know where your coming from on this one. Still, totally a writer in my books.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

A writer is someone who writes.
An Author is someone who has published for money.

[saavik.livejournal.com]

Q: When can a runner call herself a runner?

A: When she runs.

{;>)

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

By the definition of a: 'a runner is someone who runs', you are a runner...
BUT you resist calling yourself a runner because you don't love it the same way you do sailing and swimming. [Yes I remember your posts about that]. You don't call yourself a runner because it's something you do, as opposed to something you are. It's an action, not a part of your identity. [might as well call yourself a pooper, you do that as well after all].

Basically, you don;t call yourself a runner because you don't feel it's part of your identity, unlike sailing. It's something you do for a reason, not because you want to.

[weedblossom.livejournal.com]

Maybe you don't call yourself a "runner" because you don't go through rigorous training, like some runners do? I've known some pretty serious runners in that regard.

As for that, if you run at all I'd consider you a runner. Me, I used to like running, and walking, but I just can't find the gumption to do it anymore. So good on you for doing it!

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Resists urge to quote "Logan's Run".
I suppose if you enter competitions and organised races you can consider yourself a runner. Otherwise it's just a cheap way to exercise.