Racer Turned Fitness Runner

Ok. I admit it. I am now a “fitness” runner. The very thing I once despised.

Let me explain.

Back when I was a walking, talking idiot (high school days) – I thought that if you didn’t run to race, you were a loser. You were in some other category of runner that had no value. It was something I just didn’t understand. One, because I was young and naïve. And two, because I wasn’t a real runner yet.

It was also a position I couldn’t possibly maintain – because, to be honest, I was never ultra-competitive (like the Michael Jordans or Tiger Woods of the world).

My first big race should explain.

It was my junior year in high school, and I was in the county championships – running the 800m. With about 150m to go, I was IN the race. I was in a position to win it - and I will never forget the thrill of that precise moment. A few seconds later I had gotten myself boxed in, lost all momentum and eventually finished out of the medal hunt

Yes, I was disappointed. But the thrill and excitement of being IN the race, being in position to win near the end – that far outweighed any feelings of disappointment I had for losing.
And that pretty much sums up my entire running history.

It was never the wins or losses that mattered – it was always the thrill of the race.

In fact my fondest memories of running are not from races, but from training runs. For example, a number of years ago a buddy of mine and I would go out each Wednesday and hammer an hour run. I always thought that if you were in shape enough to hammer an hour run – that was the epitome of running. I think that alone put me in the “real” runner category.

So now that I only run 3 to 4 times a week – and no longer race [much :-)]. I run for the joy of it, for the amazing sense of freedom it gives me – and yes, the health benefits.

And I’m OK with that. I’m a real runner now.