So You Think You’re A Runner? Think Again.
So You Think You’re A Runner? Think Again.

Have you ever asked yourself if you are a “real” runner? Have you ever questioned if you are fast enough, train hard enough, and/or run enough races the be called a runner? Or, on the flip side, maybe your life revolves around running and “runner” is a huge part of your identity as a person.

Neither of these mindsets are healthy or helpful in achieving your goals. Why? because defining yourself by what you do instead of how you do things means that your self-worth can change fairly easily, and it’s not based on intrinsic values. I’ll provide a personal example.

It took me over seven years to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and those years were overshadowed by frustration and disappointment. The reason why I was so distressed over my failure to qualify for Boston was because I defined myself by my accomplishments. If I wasn’t accomplishing things, what was I worth? It didn’t matter how hard I trained. It didn’t matter if I pushed really hard during a race. I saw myself as “a runner” and if I couldn’t run as fast as I thought I should, then I would be devastated. If I got injured, then I really felt like my life lacked purpose, and I wasn’t able to cope.

I learned to change my mindset when I realized that I don’t judge my friends by their accomplishments. I value them for more personal qualities like trustworthiness, dependability, and the ability to empathize. So why couldn’t I value myself for those same things? And shouldn’t my running simply be a manifestation of these qualities?

I am not a runner. I am a person who runs.

Elizabeth Clor Running 1

As a person, I am passionate, dedicated, hard-working, analytical, focused, and resilient. I value myself for these qualities, which manifest themselves in everything I do: my career, my relationships, and my running. When I race, I give 100% effort and I don’t quit. When I train, I am consistent and I excel in following plans. I’m purposeful about my race plans. I pay attention to nutrition and hydration.

Many people define themselves by their jobs, their role as a parent, or their accomplishments. Why? Because these are tangible attributes and therefore they are easy to cling to. It’s the less tangible attributes, however, that truly define a person. Not “what” but “how.”  When you define yourself by your values instead of your achievements, your sense of self-worth remains constant and is not susceptible to being knocked down by external factors or other people’s perceptions.

Self-esteem and self-love are two different concepts that often get confused. I’ve always had high self-esteem because I’ve accomplished a lot in life. I did not have self love, however, because I didn’t value myself based on how I accomplished these things. I now recognize and value the perseverance, passion, emotional strength, and patience it took for me to qualify for Boston. In other areas of my life, like my relationships, I value myself for my genuineness, honesty, creativity, and reliability. I even learned that I have a decent sense of humor.

So the next time you start to think about yourself as a runner, or even wonder if you are deserving of that label, take a step back. Remember that what defines you is not your running, but the aspects of yourself that you put into your running.

 
 
Learn to push through pain. Cause it 

will hurt, and hurt, and hurt, and then

one day... BOOM !!! Stress fracture. 

Then you rest
5:00AM 

The hour when legends are either 

waking up or going to sleep
BOSS: "Hey, can you hop on Zoom 

real quick?" 



ME:

New Featured eBibs

So apparently running naked means no music, no watch, no GPS, no electronics period. I wish I knew this an hour ago
There's a runner right now thinking  "I'll stretch as soon as I get home"  That's the devil talking.
RUNNING OXYMORONS:  * easy five miles  * "only" a half marathon  * humble marathoner  * sanitary porta potty  * ten perfect toenails  * pre-run stretches  * fast recovery  YIKES!!
I saw this girl on the trail today...  No iPhone.  No earbuds.  No smart watch.  No hydration.  She just ran.  Like a total psycho.
Sometimes I wonder what happened  to the hikers who asked me for  directions
2 rest days in a row... Omigawd I'm  gonna be so out of shape !!
Can everyone stop posting reels  running in the Alps? I'm at work.
TAPER WEEK  I'm either annoyed or annoying...There's no in-between
Your inspirational quote has inspired  me to mute you.
AW YEAH IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT AND  YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS *turns down the lights* *take an ibuprofen* *puts in mouth guard*
Sorry for anything I said while it was  109 outside
If you don't go for a run, how do you  know when to take a shower?
DICK'S Sporting Goods had my GU  flavor they're usually out of so this  weekend is about to get lit.
Apparently when playing hide-and-seek with your kids you're not allowed to  go for a two hour run to  find a place to hide.
Whenever the machines do take over they're going to access all the "sexy pace" runs from my GPS watch and  be like this guy is not a threat
Result Pages: <<   ... 6  7  8  9  10 ...   >>