Most runners cringe at the word jog. I bring this up because there was a comment (by a comedic writer) about all those silly “joggers” in Boston the other day. Of course, this was the cause of much outrage in the running community. The blogs and boards lit up with talk about how much we HATE THAT WORD.
I would say anyone who runs in races, expecting to win or not, is a runner. If you train for a distance event, you are a runner. I am sure there are tons who would disagree with that loose description. But my point is that it isn’t about a certain speed or distance.
I tried googling “what is a runner” and mostly got a lot of drug trafficking references, which was a little disconcerting. And a few “You might be a runner if’s … ” that were mildly funny. But the overall consensus seems to be that it is more a state of mind than anything else. Once you decide you are a runner, it becomes part of your identity. To say “I am a runner” is a label and the way non-runners perceive you is an interesting thing.
As far as I am aware, I am one of two runners in my workplace. We are seen as the “healthy folks” and are therefore assumed to not eat unhealthy food (I keep telling them I run SO I CAN eat bad food!) and to be fast (if I am asked if I won a race one more time … ). While running does keep you in shape, I am certainly not the elite athlete that most people picture in their heads when they picture a runner. In fact, I look nothing like a runner should. I am a very tall, broad shouldered woman, I am not “skinny”. But none the less, I am a runner! And I am proud of that. John Bingham of Runnersworld.com says this: “I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I’m pushing the limits of my comfort and why I’m doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate–things I once avoided–are necessary if I want to be a better runner.”
Below are the dictionary.com definitions for run and jog. And it looks like my personal definition of “perceived level of exertion” is pretty close to accurate. And although my pace may be slow compared to Usein Bolt’s … for me it is NOT leisurely.
RUN –verb (used without object): to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.
JOG –verb (used without object): to run at a leisurely, slow pace, esp. as an outdoor exercise
I guess the take away from this is: even if you don’t look like a runner or always feel like you think a runner should, you may still be a runner. And by embracing the label you may just turn yourself into a healthier person. Because a runner doesn’t groan about putting in mileage, doesn’t mind getting out of bed before dark and can eat bagels without guilt. It make take a while for the mindset to completely sink in … but you can get there. You just have to think like a runner instead of a jogger!
I definitely jog. “leisurely, slow pace”. That’s me! I’m the turtle!
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