You Know You're a Runner When...

Marc Parent has written an article, like many others before him, on how you know when you're a runner. But this article is different...For some reason, I found myself really moved by it. There's a beauty in his humor, in the simple truths he exposes in the article.

(And the defining moment, for him, is totally understandable, easily overlooked, and pretty chuckle-worthy.)

Put this on your reading list. Bookmark it. Read it more than once. Maybe it was just the perfect time for me to be reassured, but this is truly for anyone who has ever wondered when they can classify themselves as a runner.

The article is here.

While Parent does a great job of breaking down some of the finer points, he didn't hit on everything. How could he? Here are my additions to the "You know you're a runner when...?" question.

1. Your running clothes are in the easiest-to-reach drawer of your dresser...

and the drawer is completely overflowing...

It's important to put your running clothes in the drawer you reach most easily to avoid any extra work in the mornings. I recommend hip-height, of course.

...and the most organized drawer you have. (I actually bother to fold my running clothes...and this is just drawer one of three.)

2. You find yourself stretching at random times...like in the middle of cooking...or teaching a class of 8th graders.

3. You zone out into daydreams about your last run...or your next one.

4. You wish money grew on trees so you could go shopping for running clothes/shoes/accessories every day. (My running wardrobe won't be complete until every outfit is as coordinated as this one.)

At first I was like, "This is unintentional and embarrassing", but then I was like, "OWNING IT!"

5. You find a sick pleasure in convincing your friends to try running, especially when they catch the bug and get addicted.

6. You're more upset with the time off you have to take for an injury than the injury itself.

7. Black or lost toe nails and chafed skin are badges of honor.

8. You have no shame in wearing sneakers or compression socks in public.

Yes, I wore these to school with bright violet shoes. I'm the coolest teacher around, clearly.

9. Your muscles ache when you take too much time off.

10. Even your bad runs are good runs.

11. You find a way to incorporate core-work and cross-training into everyday activities.

This is my classroom computer chair. Core strengthening, baby.

12. Most of the items on your bucket list are running-related.

13. You have seen your city cloaked in darkness, when most sane people are asleep.

Hello, 4am.

14. You are totally comfortable taking awkward pictures of yourself (and strangers) at the gym and in public places...for the sake of your running blog, of course.

At least three gym-rats were giving me the stink-eye as I repeatedly took this selfie until I had the perfect "perplexed-and-resigned" expression.

If I'm being totally honest, I guess I'll admit that maybe this one was more for me than you guys.

15. But in all seriousness, maybe I finally knew I had "arrived" when people started asking me for running advice (without my first bringing up my own obsession), and sharing their awesome running accomplishments, because my running journey had inspired them to start.

From the first person I ever infected with the running bug!

Seriously the best kind of message to get from a non-running friend.

Yeah, that's definitely my #1, A-ha!, enlightenment moment. If so many of my amazing friends think I'm a runner, who am I to argue?

When did you know you were a runner?

Ever find yourself stretching randomly in public?

ABK