Thursday, February 18, 2010

Keepin' it Real

I don't know why, but I still can't quite call myself a "real" runner.  Yes, I've done a marathon, a couple halfs and braved all sorts of weather, but I'm pretty sure the term runner doesn't apply to me.  However, yesterday at work I got the best compliment I've had in a loooong time.  One of my fellow dietitians (who I see maybe once a month because she works at another facility) said, "Nicole, you look so fit.  I can tell you're a runner."  Really?  Me?  And yet another clue....I've been running without my iPod lately.  A year ago I would have said you're crazy to even contemplate running without an iPod blaring.  I've come to find that I rather enjoy the sound of my feet hitting the ground and my heartbeat racing.  Perhaps all insignificant occurances, but put them together and it gives me just the approval (so to speak) I need to keep up this obsession.  Another motivator - the sound of birds chirping and daylight at 7:00am.  Yes, I know there is 12+ inches of snow on the ground and it's hovering in the upper 20's, but it sure does feel good to see daylight coming earlier and earlier! I know soon enough I'll be complaining about the oppressive humidity or rainy spring season....but knowing that something good is just around the corner is just what I need to get me through these next few weeks.

13 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

Love this post! I went through the same realization when I stopped wearing my ipod too. I was like, well it's official: I'm a runner. :) LOL!

saundra said...

I think my running actually got better once I started leaving my music at home.

Jen said...

YOU ARE A RUNNER! Face it!

I leave my music at home, but I sing in my head sometimes.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

You are definitely a runner! Be proud of it!

Maureen Lisa said...

How can you not say you're a runner!!! That's crazy you definitely are : )

Kelly said...

So great! I bet you were beaming! I can't wait for the day when I can call myself a "runner". But I get what you are saying...I don't think of myself as a "runner" yet either. But girl, you ARE a runner! :)

justme said...

nothing is better than when someone notices your hardwork !!!

Lisa said...

I totally get this post. I feel weird calling myself a runner but when someone else does it makes me feel good.

I too have discovered that I realy like running without my ipod. I like it at times and other times I just like the solitude of my footsteps and my breathing.

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

Being a runner is a state of mind :) Though when I first started I totally considered myself a girl who ran and not a runner girl! Now I definately say I'm a runner girl :) You definately are a RUNNER! Great post

Lindsay said...

you are totally a runner :)

i, too, am excited about each extra minute of daylight! can't wait for the time change again.

inspiREDtorun13 said...

Weird I actually started a post on this same topic but never finished it. I'm training for my third half marathon, and I wouldn't really call myself a "runner." I "like to run."

Anyway, last I checked, anyone who has completed a marathon IS a runner!

Unknown said...

By no means am I an expert, but it sure sounds like you are a runner to me! It is funny though that we all have a different level of accomplishments that qualify us in our own minds. I am training for my first half-marathon and have only been running for 2+ months. I have never even actually run outside! (I live in Nebraska) But I have started to think of myself as a runner or at least a runner in training :) Good luck and visit my blog if you have a chance!

sanjeet said...

I think my running actually got better once I started leaving my music at home.
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