"Runner"

What does that really mean? 

To be a quote unquote "runner."

This is a question I've been asking myself for a year and a half.

I played competitive softball all my life & even played in college for a few years. I loved it. I loved the pain from a good slide into second base in which the top layer of your skin ripped off. I loved hating the skanks in the other dugout for no apparent reason. The rush of diving for a ball & realizing it actually ended up in your glove.

        (Competitive Team Circa 2003)

I spent a shit ton of time playing the game & loved every single second. So I was a softball player. Simple as that, right?

                  (College Circa 2005)

But with running, it's different.

It doesn't come natural to call myself a runner & I don't know if it ever will. I've thought a lot about why and I think I've figured it out.

Running is an objective sport. The decision to call yourself a runner is the individual & individuals alone. 

I haven't ever ran a marathon nor a half marathon. I'm not sure I ever will & I'm beginning to be ok with that. I'm just a measly little 5k runner. 

But damnit, those 3, 4 & 5 mile runs are frickin' hard.

I have missed softball terribly over the past 6-7 years. It's like I broke up with someone I was deeply in love with and running came along & filled that void for me.

I saw this quote awhile back & it resonated with me to the core! I couldn't have said it better myself. 

I guess you could say I'm writing a new love story with running. She's a bitch sometimes, but I love her regardless. We dated for quite sometime before I used the "L" word, but I'm here now & ready to see what the future holds for us. 

In the near future, a 10k is in the cards.

Let's just hope we make it thru without serving eacother divorce papers.