Am I a Runner?

The other morning, like most others, I was on my way to drop off the kids at daycare when I saw him. With his flashing light and less than warm-looking athletic apparel. Running. In the freezing cold. And I said out loud,"Now that's dedication. That's hard core-not-messing-around I AM A RUNNER dedication!" 

And to be honest, even though I had already worked out that morning, he made me feel lazy. It sounds stupid, really,  I know. But nonetheless, that's the way he - this perfect stranger - made me feel: LAZY.

After all, I haven't really done any running since the fall and never would you find ME out running in the freezing cold. (For starters, my husband would definitely not approve, but also I'm a real big baby when it comes to the cold :) )

So I posed the question to myself: AM I a runner?

Google "definition of a runner" and you get: 

run·ner

ˈrənər/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who runs, especially in a specified way.

   
   

   "Mary was a fast runner"

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   • 
     
2. 2.

   a person who smuggles specified goods into or out of a country or area.

   
   

   "a drug-runner"

Obviously we're looking at the first definition, so according to this, yes, I am a runner, but so is anyone else who runs from here to there for a specific purpose. This still didn't answer my question.

Now as far back as I can remember, running has always been a part of my life. Even in grade school when we had to run the mile, I didn't dread it like others did. I ran track in junior high, ran track and cross country in high school and have ran half marathons and 5ks as an adult. Does all this make me a runner? Literally, yes. But I guess what I really was asking myself is do I have the HEART of a runner like the man I see running EVERY morning. 

Ultimately even though I don't run every day, yes, I think I do have the heart of a runner, and here are 10 reasons why:

1) I can "smell" track and cross country season :)
2) I get ridiculously nervous and my heart races when I attend track meets in our small town even though I'm not the one racing.
3) The smell of new running shoes makes me happy!
4) I believe shin splints are just a part of life.
5) I feel a sense of pride when I cross a finish line - even when it's not in first place.
6) I own an embarrassing large number of running shoes. 
7) I'm teaching my kids to love running. 
8) I'm always striving to improve upon my own times.
9) I know what a runner's high feels like.
10) The sound of shoes slapping the pavement is soothing.

I will add, that later that day I registered for the Bill Snyder Highway Half Marathon. I TOLD you he made me feel lazy. And even though running a half marathon is on my list of things to accomplish in 2017, a perfect stranger gave me the push to get the ball rolling. You just never know where your inspiration will come from, so listen to your heart. I listened to mine.

Alicia