So there is a popular philosophy told about the different types of runners (George Sheehan: The Evolution of Runners or Jeff Galloway The Five Stages of a Runner) that follows somewhat like this:
The beginning Jogger who is motivated to do something to get healthier, lose a few pounds, and get in better shape. Maybe they start out with a new year resolution. You are motivated by the benefits of running and you preach on how much you feel better by your few miles on the treadmill each day. You are obsessed with the number of steps your Fitbit is telling you that you took today. Then you enter your first 5K. Maybe it was the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot or the Fun Run that your office mates convinced you to run that benefited the Cancer Society. You instantly got hooked and became obsessed with the idea of improving your race times. You became a Racer (or Competitor). You asked how you can get faster at the next 5K race you just signed up for. You even ordered a customized training plan for your first half marathon. You are excited to earn all your medals and t-shirts, and strive to become number 1 in your age group. Eventually you just enjoy running for what it is. That runner's high, the get away to clear your mind. It no longer matters how far or how fast, you just enjoy the idea of running. The simplicity of it all. You are now a true Runner (so the philospohy goes).
I submit to you a sub-breed of the Racer. The Scientist! What is the scientist? He is fascinated with every bit of aspect towards running, thinking that it will improve his or her time and help them to slice 30 seconds off their mile pace. They have a subscription to Runner's World, they read all the major authors and experts on running, and they scan every day for online articles. They are obsessed with Ventilatory Thresholds, weekly miles, and VDOT tables. They strive to understand what is going on deep inside their body at a microscopic celluar biochemistry level and hone in towards their perfect running gait. They are constantly wearing their heart rate monitor and analyzing all their strava data from all their workouts and races. They customize their own training plans with tempos, hill repeats, and 22 mile long runs. They can explain to you how the ATP crossbridge works and know how many milimoles of hydrogen ions are floating in their blood. I know this kind of runner. I am one of them. And I feel like we get a bad rap. Are we really bad people for taking the time and wanting to care so much? Or are we making it more complicated than what it should be?
I personally feel that whatever motivates you to get out there and do something positive, then it can't really be a bad thing. I wake up very early in the morning (including Saturdays) to run in the January cold and the August heat. I stare down Madkin and Weeden Mountains over on post. My goal is to make it to Boston maybe next year or 2. So I train, and I learn as much as I can. The geeky details actually interest me. For other's, it's getting out with their favorite running partner or group, and socialize with some coffee afterwards. Many ran track in high school or college. Some need to lose a few pounds and this is their thing for now. Some can sustain a 5:15 min mile for over 20 miles. Some would dream to just get down to a 12 min/mile pace. Whether it is 2 miles on the treadmill at Planet Fitness, or you are strolling the trails of Monte Sano, I salute you for getting out there. For in my book, you truley are A RUNNER!
Just don't ask me any questions, I will happily give you more information that what you are looking for. :-)
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