Title change: What makes YOU a runner??
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flarunner
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Joined: 30 May 2002
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Location: FLA
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 Posted: 01/10/03 - 21:29 Post subject:
| AlaninTX wrote: | I like the idea that I am an athlete, even if I would fall into the very poor category of athlete. And I struggled with the idea that I had become an athlete, albeit late in life. I wasn't athletic at all in HS or college, and at age 38 weighed 240 lbs on a 5'8 frame.
The change in my body has been dramatic. But more importantly the change in how I view myself has changed. I like to run, but for me running without a purpose doesn't do it. I love to race, but pick my races carefully. I like to challange myself, and have even learned to love the challange when I fail. I also enjoy being part of a community of athletes, if it be here, my running group or even volunteering at the occasional race.
I see myself as an athlete. A poor one if judged against others, but a pretty damn fine one when judged against myself. |
Beautifully said, Alan. And, for me, right on the money.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 01/11/03 - 08:26 Post subject:
| flarunner wrote: | | AlaninTX wrote: | I like the idea that I am an athlete, even if I would fall into the very poor category of athlete. And I struggled with the idea that I had become an athlete, albeit late in life. I wasn't athletic at all in HS or college, and at age 38 weighed 240 lbs on a 5'8 frame.
The change in my body has been dramatic. But more importantly the change in how I view myself has changed. I like to run, but for me running without a purpose doesn't do it. I love to race, but pick my races carefully. I like to challange myself, and have even learned to love the challange when I fail. I also enjoy being part of a community of athletes, if it be here, my running group or even volunteering at the occasional race.
I see myself as an athlete. A poor one if judged against others, but a pretty damn fine one when judged against myself. |
Beautifully said, Alan. And, for me, right on the money. |
 Couldn't agree more. Very well said Alan.
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
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Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 01/11/03 - 09:03 Post subject:
I consider myself a runner since I will go out in almost any type of weather to get it in. I run for myself though. I run so I can get away from work for a little bit, so I can lose weight, so I can talk with my running co-workers about topics that can't be discussed around the old water cooler.
I try and race once a month to keep me motivated to run during the week.
I hope that helps you out.
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kristin31
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Location: Caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
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Posted: 01/11/03 - 18:28 Post subject:
Ok, I am the one who said that racing sucks all of the joy out of running. For me it's started to. I am at the point where I run when I want to, as far as I want to, and I don't wear a watch. I take my dog (she's the best running buddy - you want to see happiness, look at a border collie mix dog running; they get that"smile") and I still consider myself a runner.
I do other activities as well, especially in the winter, and feel that while I am not an "athlete" by any professional standard, I still feel that I am an athlete by my own standards, and that's what matters.
I have a tendency to get a bit obsessive about it, and have to watch so it doesn't control other equally important things in my life. That's counterproductive; it throws the rest of your life out of sync and also makes what should be, while challenging, also enjoyable, a chore. That's no fun.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 01/13/03 - 10:49 Post subject:
| kristin31 wrote: | Ok, I am the one who said that racing sucks all of the joy out of running. For me it's started to. I am at the point where I run when I want to, as far as I want to, and I don't wear a watch. I take my dog (she's the best running buddy - you want to see happiness, look at a border collie mix dog running; they get that"smile") and I still consider myself a runner.
I do other activities as well, especially in the winter, and feel that while I am not an "athlete" by any professional standard, I still feel that I am an athlete by my own standards, and that's what matters.
I have a tendency to get a bit obsessive about it, and have to watch so it doesn't control other equally important things in my life. That's counterproductive; it throws the rest of your life out of sync and also makes what should be, while challenging, also enjoyable, a chore. That's no fun. |
Interesting perspective that mirrors my own lately. I, like you and some of the others, consider myself an athlete because I have always led an active lifestyle of SOME sort, so the "by my standards" holds for me as well. I like to try to keep rounded or I get bored, which is why I also swim, lift, do yoga, blade, etc......but running is still my first love. I too tend to get obsessive about it, and not only does it start to interfere with other things in my life, it kills the joy as I obsess over how well I am or am not doing at it. What makes this whole mess such a paradox is that I am finding lately that motivation is more difficult when I am not "in training" per se and that I get too distracted by the rest of my life. I'm really struggling with balance right now and I'm not sure exactly where I am going to end up. But all of your viewpoints have really given me something to think about, and I feel a lot better about not being alone in some of my thinking. 
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Running Brewer
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
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Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 01/13/03 - 13:40 Post subject:
I have been reading these posts and thinking about this topic for a while now. I believe what makes me a runner is my attitude. If I believe I am a runner then I am a runner.
What motivates me to run is another story. I haven't been able to pin down why I MUST run, Jrjo came pretty close with the demon that haunts me, telling me that I can do it, or sometimes that I can't do it. (Nothing better than proving that little bast#$d wrong.  ) What I think really keeps me going out the door, especially in this cold weather we are having in WI, is the feeling of accomplishment I get when each run is done. When I get done running a 6 mile Marathon Goal Pace run, or a LSD, I get this feeling that I really did something today. I don't get that feeling from work. I want to say to everyone "what did you do today?" Every day I want to have that feeling, sometimes I don't get that, othertimes I just can't get out there and run and I hate it but when I do I feel like a King.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 01/13/03 - 14:20 Post subject:
| genie wrote: |
but running is still my first love. I too tend to get obsessive about it, |
Obessing if what makes it fun.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 01/13/03 - 14:42 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: | | genie wrote: |
but running is still my first love. I too tend to get obsessive about it, |
Obessing if what makes it fun. |
For some of us, maybe! 
Paul--great feedback! Glad to see I'm not the only one wrestling with this. I have a question, though.....is it the schedule that you think keeps you motivated, or the desire to get out there so you can feel that feeling of accomplishment? Do you think you'd have that if you didn't stick to a specific schedule?
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Running Brewer
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Posted: 01/13/03 - 15:04 Post subject:
| genie wrote: |
Paul--great feedback! Glad to see I'm not the only one wrestling with this. I have a question, though.....is it the schedule that you think keeps you motivated, or the desire to get out there so you can feel that feeling of accomplishment? Do you think you'd have that if you didn't stick to a specific schedule? |
I would say booth. (what a cop out ) If I didn't have a set schedule I would not push myself and my runs would leave me feeling blah. It is meeting that schedule that gives me the feeling of accomplishment.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 01/16/03 - 14:49 Post subject:
Well, I've read this thread over and over and done a lot of thinking over the last few runs, and your input was all really helpful! Thanks guys!! 
I came to the conclusion that what I need to do for ME right now is give up racing and just run for the sheer enjoyment of what it feels like to be out there, what it feels like to say, "I just ran X# of miles today", the post-run buzz I get that lasts the whole rest of the day, the constant changes my body is making and the lengths I can push myself to distance wise, and all the other more personal reasons why we like to run. (The stares from my cow-orkers as I head out the door at lunchtime in 15 degree weather are kinda fun too!!)
This week's runs were some of the best I have had since I came off the bench last fall. No watch, just me and the road, or trail, as the case may be, and my own thoughts. Basically my "running log" is now just a paper journal where I log how many miles I ran that day, but more important to me, how I felt, both before and after, what I thought about, stuff like that. Looking at that, I'll have a basic idea of when my shoes need replacing, plus I can tell when my fracture sites start hurting that it's time for new shoes. If this makes me not a real runner in anyone else's eyes, oh well. In mine, just the fact that I get out there 4-5 times a week, in all kinds of weather, and really enjoy it, because I CAN...is all I need to tell MYSELF that I am one.
Thank you all for helping me make peace with one of my biggest, ugliest demons. 
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