In my mind, when I run, I look like Kara Goucher or Shalane Flanagan. I’m enough of a realist to know that this is far from the case, I’m red and sweaty and not nearly as graceful, but I’m all about whatever helps me log the miles. If picturing my running as fluid and fast as those women’s, rather than what is probably closer to a uneven, foot dragging, short stride works, I say why the heck not.
To be honest, after being a runner for about 10 years, I hardly thing about my gait or what I look like anymore. In my minds eye, I’m as fluid and serene looking as Kara or Shalane, but I really don’t care what I look like to others. I just run. Admittedly I’m distracted on occasion by the good looking or good smelling guy passing me or a cute shirt or shoes on another girl, but I’m not really giving anyone else or their running style any thought.
I don’t remember what it was like to start running, but I can spot a new runner. It’s not because they’re slow or overweight or have bright shiny white new shoes, it has more to do with their body language screaming self-consciousness. When I see newbie runners, I silently cheer for them in my head. I think to myself that I hope they get passed feeling awkward and start to enjoy it. If they’re overweight and clearly struggling, I think to myself good for them for moving and getting out there. I, nor does any other experienced runner I know, judge or mock other runners. Okay, once a friend and I commented on the most awkward gait I’ve ever seen, but we weren’t mocking so much as trying to figure out how it could possibly be comfortable to run like that.
I understand why running can be intimidating for new runners. You’re told all you need is a pair of good running shoes. But then you start running and see that everyone not only has good shoes, but high performance clothing (no cotton for runners!), GPS watches, water belts and on and on. You start reading articles about running and get confused about how you’re actually supposed to eat, when to drink water, when to sleep. And then there are the people complaining about not making a Boston qualifying time or breaking a 5 minute mile. I remember reading about Kara being so excited post baby to get back down to a 5:30 mile. I hated her just a little since on a great day I can run an 8:30 – 8:45 minute mile. Fellow runners are nice, but it is an intimidating sport to start.
A year or so ago my dad starting running. He wouldn’t say he’s running, more of a run/walk mix, and either way I’m incredibly proud of him for giving it a shot. Now that he’s been doing it for a year, with some arm twisting, I can talk him into letting me join him. And just like I’ve tried to convince him, I’d like to convince other newbie runners – other runners don’t care what you look like. We don’t think you look funny running. We certainly don’t question why you’re running. We’re proud of you for getting out there and giving it a shot.
Run, walk, hell you can skip for all I care. No one expects you to be able to run 10 miles right off the bat. No one expects you to run sub-six minute miles. No one even expects you to run sub 12 minutes miles. No one expects you to look pretty while running. The important part is that you’re out there. And even if you feel self-conscious, remember that no other runner is making fun of you or laughing at you in their head. And we runners certainly don’t care about what non-runners think of us. Just run and enjoy the pain, frustration and most importantly, joy, that comes with being a runner.
To be honest, after being a runner for about 10 years, I hardly thing about my gait or what I look like anymore. In my minds eye, I’m as fluid and serene looking as Kara or Shalane, but I really don’t care what I look like to others. I just run. Admittedly I’m distracted on occasion by the good looking or good smelling guy passing me or a cute shirt or shoes on another girl, but I’m not really giving anyone else or their running style any thought.
I don’t remember what it was like to start running, but I can spot a new runner. It’s not because they’re slow or overweight or have bright shiny white new shoes, it has more to do with their body language screaming self-consciousness. When I see newbie runners, I silently cheer for them in my head. I think to myself that I hope they get passed feeling awkward and start to enjoy it. If they’re overweight and clearly struggling, I think to myself good for them for moving and getting out there. I, nor does any other experienced runner I know, judge or mock other runners. Okay, once a friend and I commented on the most awkward gait I’ve ever seen, but we weren’t mocking so much as trying to figure out how it could possibly be comfortable to run like that.
I understand why running can be intimidating for new runners. You’re told all you need is a pair of good running shoes. But then you start running and see that everyone not only has good shoes, but high performance clothing (no cotton for runners!), GPS watches, water belts and on and on. You start reading articles about running and get confused about how you’re actually supposed to eat, when to drink water, when to sleep. And then there are the people complaining about not making a Boston qualifying time or breaking a 5 minute mile. I remember reading about Kara being so excited post baby to get back down to a 5:30 mile. I hated her just a little since on a great day I can run an 8:30 – 8:45 minute mile. Fellow runners are nice, but it is an intimidating sport to start.
A year or so ago my dad starting running. He wouldn’t say he’s running, more of a run/walk mix, and either way I’m incredibly proud of him for giving it a shot. Now that he’s been doing it for a year, with some arm twisting, I can talk him into letting me join him. And just like I’ve tried to convince him, I’d like to convince other newbie runners – other runners don’t care what you look like. We don’t think you look funny running. We certainly don’t question why you’re running. We’re proud of you for getting out there and giving it a shot.
Run, walk, hell you can skip for all I care. No one expects you to be able to run 10 miles right off the bat. No one expects you to run sub-six minute miles. No one even expects you to run sub 12 minutes miles. No one expects you to look pretty while running. The important part is that you’re out there. And even if you feel self-conscious, remember that no other runner is making fun of you or laughing at you in their head. And we runners certainly don’t care about what non-runners think of us. Just run and enjoy the pain, frustration and most importantly, joy, that comes with being a runner.
1 comment:
Aw! I love it :) Couldn't have said it better myself.
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