The question: How do you know if you’re a runner?
The answer: You run.
It’s really that simple. Really.
“I want to be a real runner.”
I hear this a lot in my life coaching practice, at dinners with friends, and in conversations with strangers. Or the variant of that statement, “I’m not a real runner.” (Have you ever heard of a “fake” runner? Yeah, didn’t think so.)
What exactly is a “real runner”?
When I ask for clarification with questions like, “what do you think a real runner looks like,” I hear a description of things like small, thin or wiry. Someone who runs every day. Who wins races (or places well). And of course, every “real” runner runs fast.
Do these folks exist? Of course. Sometimes they’re called pro athletes. And sure, there are a lot of amateurs who fit that description, as well. But what about the rest of us? Are we the impostors? The frauds? Mere actors?
Running isn’t an exclusive club. The criteria is simple: To be a runner, you have to run.
That’s it. It doesn’t matter how often, how far or how fast you do it. There is no physical requirement. No height or weight restrictions. You want to be a runner? Great, run. If you run, guess what? You’re a runner.
Decide What Running Means to You (and Own It)
If you’re a beginner just getting started, or if you’ve been running awhile but still don’t consider yourself a runner, quit worrying about what a real runner looks like. It doesn’t matter. Instead, decide what YOU want to feel like while running.
- What kind of runner do you want to be?
- How do you want to feel when you’re running?
- What does running provide you?
Focus on how the physical act of running translates into specific feelings. For me, words like freedom, agility, lightness, grace, movement, serenity, meditation, calm, and rhythmic come up for me. You might come up with similar words or perhaps very different ones.
This is what defines running for us—and any sport or endeavor, really—it’s about what it provides for us individually. It’s about how we feel when we’re engaged in the activity and how much enjoyment and satisfaction we derive from it.
I’m curious about you. How do you define a runner? Is there criteria? Do you consider yourself a runner? Share in the comments and (or) take this quick survey: Are You A Runner? I’ll post the results next week.
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