Chances are you’re a little different than most of your friends. You like to get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to go get sweaty, extra sweaty. Mud? No problem. The dirtier, the better. Forget that pair of heels that your friend won’t stop talking about, you care more about which shoe helps your stride the most. Sound a little like you? Then you might just be a runner. If you’re still not sure, take a look at this list and see if it helps you make up your mind.
You lose headphones-- more than you can count. What can you say? They go everywhere you go and sometimes they get tired of running and decide to stay behind. The good news is, there are plenty of pairs waiting to take their place.
You know a lot about socks. Like, a lot. Red socks, blue socks, race socks, used socks. The world is your sock drawer and you love it. You are a leading expert on which sock to wear when, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
You consider bobby pins to be your best accessory. You need those bad boys to keep the hair at bay and also consider them the perfect way to dress up or down any outfit. Plus, if you ever get in a bind, you can Macgyver your way out with your most trusted tool. It’s hard to go wrong with bobby pins.
You think of the past in terms of races. Oh, 2005 was when I ran the New Orleans Marathon! I killed it that year! My cousin’s wedding? Oh, yeah, I guess that happened too. I was there for that, right?
You’re pretty sure that black toenails should be in style. Black is the new black, and black toenails go great in any season. Get some flip-flops and show them off!
You always have running shoes with you. Whether on your feet, tied to your bag/ backpack or stuffed in your suitcase. If you’re on the go, they’re with you! There’s also a good chance that they’re dirty and stinky, but that’s just part of the fun. No one ever said running would be glamorous.
Every stretch you do is a runner’s stretch. It’s not a low lunge, it’s low runner’s lunge. It’s not a forward fold, it’s an intense hamstring stretch for runners. Reaching for something on a high shelf at the grocery store? Your calves will be thanking you later.
You have a wide assortment of water bottles. 20oz. 32oz. 8oz for when you want something portable. You need different bottles for races, different distances and everyday use. Your house could be made of water bottles and that’s ok with you.
You don’t drink soda (unless it’s during a race). You normally don’t drink soda, but when you see a dixie-cup filled with Mountain Dew at an aid station, your eyes light up. It’s your sweet savior in an 6oz container, and it’s keeping out alive out on the course.
Setting your alarm clock for 4 am on Saturday seems perfectly normal. Or on any day for that matter. You have to get up early if you really want to put those miles in! Being tired is just a passing feeling, but what you accomplish out on the road is eternal.
If any of this list resonates with you, you’re probably a runner. Embrace it. Love it. Live it. You are a runner, and your glory is the road. Now strap up those shoes, fill up your trusty bottle, and go get it!