Runners, do you ever think about how strange we look from the outside? We choose to wake up before we have to, we chafe in all of the wrong places, we spend ridiculous amounts of money on shoes and races, and sometimes we get chased down a road by a random dog trying to nip at our ankles. I really don’t blame non-runners for questioning why we do this. I just want to clear up some things that non-runners might question about me (us) that seem especially strange:
*Yes, I pay to run on roads or on mountain trails that I could run on for free any other day. From the outside, it makes zero sense. Why would anyone pay $100+ to do something they could do for free? Well, it’s because that money goes towards the adrenaline we get to experience at the start line, people cheering for us on the sides and making us feel cool, a medal that I get to hang up in my garage, the post-race fruit and chocolate milk, and the fact that for one magical morning… the streets are just for us!
*Yes, I plan vacations around races. Wyoming? Sure, let me find a trail race. Boston? Yes, but make it April. International trip? Sure thing, but it’s got to be London for the marathon (<- my current dream race). I regret nothing about any racecations we’ve ever taken.
*Yes, I run in bad weather on purpose. Rain? Snow? 20 mph wind? Yep, sign me up. I hate being cold more than anyone on the planet, but there’s a feeling that comes when you run in crazy conditions like being pelted by sleet that makes you feel like the strongest version of you that you’ve ever experienced. It also gives me a good reason to drink hot chocolate for the rest of the day.
*Yes, I think running 20 miles is fun. The non-runner response: “That’s not fun, that’s torture.” My response: “It’s bonding time with my running friends, a mobile therapy session, and a chance to eat candy in the morning without any judgment.” (The picture below has nothing to do with this * but it’s one of my favorite pics ever of Skye)
*Yes, I own more running shoes than real shoes. Some people collect purses. I collect adidas and Hoka. Each pair has its purpose-long runs, speed work, trails, easy short runs, easy long runs, easy medium runs, easy fun runs, easy therapy runs, and easy ‘I bought these because the colors are cute and match my tank’ runs. Even when I had $4 a month in my budget, I still found a way to buy too many running shoes.
*Yes, I’ve set my alarm so early for a run that I realize in college, I was still awake at that exact time. The difference? Back then it was for late-night food runs and cramming for finals … now it’s for actual runs that require shoes, a headlamp, and a questionable amount of caffeine.
*Yes, I’ve planned an entire route just to end a run at a bakery for donuts. Actually, I’ve done this dozens of times, and I know many of you do the same for coffee shops and pastries. Some people drive to a bakery/coffee shop in the mornings and walk in clean, and we walk in after stopping our watches, glistening and with a few gnats on our foreheads.
*Yes, I’ve run circles around my own block just to hit a round number on my watch. If my Garmin says 7.98 miles, you better believe I’m running past my driveway until it rolls over to 8.00. No, 7.99 is not the same thing (even though Strava loves to record it as 7.99 even if my watch says 8.00)
*Yes, I lie to myself before every run. How else do you think we are going to ever start a 3 x 3 mile interval run without a little fib thrown in there that we are going to run them slow or that we are only doing the warm-up and then returning to the couch. Once we get out there, we get it done but it takes a little lie.
*Yes, I start planning my next race almost immediately after finishing the last one (even if I told you during peak week that I am absolutely NEVER training for another _____ again). Within hours of crossing the finish line, I’m already browsing race calendars. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate the moment… I just need something new to chase.
At the end of the day… From the outside, running looks a little nuts. And honestly? It is. But it’s also joyful, therapeutic, and full of moments that make the miles worth it. If that means waking up in the dark, getting a permanent sock tan, and spending half my income on race fees, so be it.
Anything you would like to explain to non-runners?
What do the non-runners in your life find to be the strangest thing that you do?
What do you find to be the strangest part about runners?
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