Can I ask y’all a question?
Why are we so down on ourselves? Seriously. Why are we so critical and hard on ourselves?
We work so hard, yet we feel like impostors calling ourselves runners. Why?
From what I’ve heard, observed and experienced myself, I think it boils down to one specific thing ~ speed.
“I’m not fast enough. When I run faster, then I can call myself a runner.”
Mmmmmm.
Here’s the thing ~ there will always be someone faster than you. Always.
Well, unless you’re the fastest person in the world and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be reading my blog if you are. Although, that would be cool.
Remember the comparing game? Stop it. Stop. Just stop.
Other people are not doing the work you are doing.
You are the one out there giving it 100%.
Yes, your 100% is going to look different from my 100% and from hers and from hers and on and on and on. It’s supposed to. We’re different people.
This is the point where I would love to tell you everyone everywhere will be loving and supportive of you running. I wish I could. I wish I could tell you that there will be no negative people, no naysayers, no one that snorts behind your back, no one that thinks she’s better than you because she can run faster . . . but, I can’t. Yes, there will be people like that.
I honestly believe those types of people are few and far between.
The majority of people are inspired by you. I believe that with all my heart.
But, you know what? The issue really isn’t about other people. The issue is with ourselves. We won’t open our eyes to see what’s right in front of us. We’re blind to our own reality.
No more of this “wannabe runner” stuff. No more selling yourself short. No more discrediting all of the work you’ve done.
Decide today that you are no longer held captive by someone else’s definition of what a runner is.
You are a runner. Own it.
YOU are inspiring!!
I was recently talking to a guy from work asking him some questions about running to get a few pointers. he basically laughed at me and told me I was never going to run a 5k. he is kind of a pompous ass anyway, but now I know I will run one. No way a man is going to tell me I cannot do something. I have been running ever since.
I’m not a runner. YOU CAN’T MAKE ME OWN IT…I DON’T WANNA!
Wow. You are right. I recently did my 5th half marathon, 4th this year. I set a new PR. I’m a slow runner, but I am still a runner. But why don’t I actually believe that? I need to not worry about what other runners are doing and focus on what I am doing.
THIS POST ROCKS! I love it. It’s so true, and I always feel that way because I’m slower than a lot of people. Thanks for sharing!
this speaks so much truth to me because i’m married to a runner. or at least that’s what i tell people. he runs marathons, he runs daily, he works at a frickin’ running store for crying out loud and he’s ran the boston and he goes through a pair of shoes a month.
and i “jog” a few miles here and there, three times a week– sometimes more, sometimes less.
and people ask me “are you a runner?”
and i say emphatically “NO” even though my husband has NEVER pressured me, never compared with me and always praises me no matter what I have or have not run.
but Ijust decided, because of your post, that i am a runner because I do run.
Nail. Head. Thank you!