Maybe it's in my nature to over-analyze words and their connotations; I simply can't help it. Given that runners are sometimes a bit sensitive about how things are phrased, I thought clarifying some definitions/debates could benefit us.
This one's a hot topic, isn't it? So many runners get offended when they're called joggers!
As Mark Remy has pointed out, the main difference between a runner and jogger is that joggers are the unluckiest bunch in the world; they're always stumbling over bodies in the woods!
A runner, on the other hand, is anyone who feels a lightness and joy in their heart every time they put on their running shoes and step out the door!
I'll admit, sometimes when we talk about "fueling" I get kind of annoyed. What are we, cars?
If fuel is the good food we put into our bodies in the hopes that it will make us strong and power our runs, then food is all the fun stuff we get to eat afterward!
I honestly hadn't given thought to this until recently. I was reading an article (which I just spent 30 minutes trying to find, with no luck) on Runner's World about a marathoner who is offended by the term "half marathon" because it undermines the race distance.
You know, like, it's not just half a marathon. It's a race all its own; a 13.1 mile race! I can see where he's coming from, but I'm not personally offended by it! What do you think?
The last one kind of connects to this. I have the weirdest pet peeve about distances! "I ran a __" denotes, to me, that you ran a race of that distance.
"I ran 5k" means you ran a training run; "I ran a 5k" means you ran a race. I can't be the only one who gets annoyed by this, can I?!
This was a mindset change that I made purposefully. I was so used to hearing that sometimes we just have bad runs, but that we can learn from them and they make use stronger and tougher...But this mentality didn't work for me. It was too negative.
I've re-framed "bad" runs as "tough" runs. I simply don't believe that bad runs exist, unless you end up injured. And tough runs are valuable; they do make us stronger, better runners in the long run (har har). A good runner can and will learn from a tough run!
What running-related words make you cringe?
ABK
As Mark Remy has pointed out, the main difference between a runner and jogger is that joggers are the unluckiest bunch in the world; they're always stumbling over bodies in the woods!
A runner, on the other hand, is anyone who feels a lightness and joy in their heart every time they put on their running shoes and step out the door!
If fuel is the good food we put into our bodies in the hopes that it will make us strong and power our runs, then food is all the fun stuff we get to eat afterward!
You know, like, it's not just half a marathon. It's a race all its own; a 13.1 mile race! I can see where he's coming from, but I'm not personally offended by it! What do you think?
"I ran 5k" means you ran a training run; "I ran a 5k" means you ran a race. I can't be the only one who gets annoyed by this, can I?!
I've re-framed "bad" runs as "tough" runs. I simply don't believe that bad runs exist, unless you end up injured. And tough runs are valuable; they do make us stronger, better runners in the long run (har har). A good runner can and will learn from a tough run!
What running-related words make you cringe?
ABK
What an interesting, thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteI think of fuel as the foods that I eat specifically for running purposes. Like, I wouldn't eat Honey Stinger chews just as a regular ol' snack.
It makes me cringe every time runners talk about snot rockets or spitting. Those are actions rather than words but man do those things gross me out!
Ooh, I like the idea of fuel being foods you eat WHILE running. That makes it less weird.
DeleteOh man, I had typed out this big long comment about long runs and then it disappeared into the mysterious depths of the internet. gah. The short version is that I agree partially - I think bad runs happen when maybe you shouldn't be running. It might be an injury, or a cold, or something else weird that is going on, including emotional stress. Those are the runs that don't make you feel better even when they are over, and they are super frustrating. Tough runs make you feel better afterwards, even if that afterwards is several days later when you realize you are getting stronger.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the "5k" vs. "a 5k". I always make that distinction and it bugs me when others don't. Of course, I'm an academic, so I'm also used to paying much more attention to semantic detail than the average person.
I think having done my fair share of research while getting my degrees makes me a little sensitive to semantics, too. I'm glad I'm not the only one bothered by "5k" vs. "a 5k"!
DeleteAlso, yes, I definitely think a bad run exists, but just because it's hard doesn't mean it's bad! Bad runs leave you sick or injured, like you said!
I really liked this post! :) I definitely am not offended by the name Half Marathon, because that's exactly what it is! I see the reasoning for calling it a 13.1 mile race instead, but I guess I just don't care either way. :) I always say "5k" vs. "a 5k" when I am running a training run as opposed to a race...I thought everyone did that!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely heard a few people use race distance terminology when talking about training runs. I feel like they use it to be braggy or something! It just comes off all wrong.
DeleteI think calling the food you eat fuel is pretty weird. I guess when I hear fuel, I always think of gels and food that isn't really food. Haha. Food is the real stuff! I've never been one to get bothered by semantics, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the idea of fuels as food you eat during a run makes WAY more sense!!
DeleteI would rather call my half a Half Marathon than a 13.1 mile race because "Half Marathon" sounds way more impressive to me!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it sounds more impressive to me - I can't decide - but it's definitely easier! "13.1 race" doesn't roll of the tongue nicely lol.
DeleteThis was fun! I never say "jogging" or "jogger" to describe me or anyone else. If you run ON PURPOSE, you are running. I mean, I may say I "jogged back into the house to grab my sunglasses" or something like that. Whoever is mad about half marathon vs 13.1 has their panties in a bunch about nothing! Oh, and I agree with Kristina about the food vs. fuel thing.
ReplyDeleteI soooo agree! I think everyone who wants to be a runner is a runner! Jogging seems like a term only joggers themselves use haha.
DeleteI agree with Kristina about the food vs. fuel one. I would never refer to regular food as fuel though, I too think that's a little weird. Like you said, we are not cars.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the gripe about "half marathon," and to be frank, I think it's petty. It's called a half marathon because it's half the distance of a marathon. That's just a fact. And it's also catchier and easier to say than "13.1 mile race". According to this logic we should offended by ultra marathon too because it demeans the marathon distance. I get what this person is saying, but again, I think it's a stretch.
As for the 5K vs. a 5K - I've never thought about this, although I've always just automatically used them correctly. It doesn't bother me when people don't though. Until this post it wasn't something I ever really noticed, honestly.
Speaking of, great post!! Fun discussion :)
I totally agree that "13.1 race" is NOT as easy to say as half marathon...and since we'd say "a half marathon" it's clear that it's a WHOLE race of that specific distance. But I kind of see why some people who have gotten used to hearing "just a half marathon" or something would want a change in title.
DeleteI love this! I am honestly annoyed when someone calls my running "jogging"...it offends me lol! Fuel doesn't bother me because I think of it more as something specific to training and racing. I agree, let's not call our runs bad but tough!
ReplyDeleteLuckily very few people use "jogging" around me anymore...maybe that means I've gotten a bit touchy about it! lol!
DeleteHa! I do not want to jog in the trail and find ANY bodies!!! LOL. I get annoyed with, "I ran a marathon once. It was 10k (or 5k,etc.)." !!!! I also wish they would just rename the "Half Marathon." It encourages everyone to qualify it with "I'm Just running the half." I certainly don't feel that a 13.1 mile race is cause for any sort of "Just." They are tough!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you run instead of jog, you'll never discover bodies! It's scientific fact!
DeleteOMG and people who think "marathon" just means race. No. NO! That drives me batty. And yes, my thoughts behind the "13.1 race" argument is that a half marathon is still a whole race and clearly doesn't deserve a "just" in front of it. Maybe it needs a name that's catchy and distinguishes it from a full!
Funny post. With the food vs fuel thing, I always call it food, but thinking of food as fuel for my body helps me make some better choices--Like are Lays potato chips good fuel???
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the half marathon thing. I do mind when people don't know the distance!
Fun post!
I definitely agree that thinking of food as fuel helps me make smart choices too, but in a way I think some people take that too far. Not ALL food is meant to be fuel; we can't live like that. It's a bit disordered imo.
DeleteI've never thought of the 5k thing, it will definitely be on my radar from now on. I also don't get offended by half marathon at all, but it does drive me nuts when people call any race a marathon. It's always non-runners who ask me how my "marathon" was and then I have to explain to them that it was only a 5k or whatever the distance was and then they continue to call it a marathon!!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the "any race is a marathon" mistake is so annoying! It's like people don't realize that's an actual title to a specific kind of race!
DeleteI get incredibly annoyed when people tell me that they saw me jogging. The word "jog" to me sounds like a leisurely stroll down the road, not really caring about what's happening. That is certainly not me!
ReplyDeleteYESSS exactly! Jogging IS leisurely. Even if I'm barely breaking 11 minute miles that day, if the effort is there, I'm running!
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