Definition of a Runner

I've been questioning this a LOT lately..am I a runner?????? Does anyone else deal with this? What are the requirements of being called a RUNNER?

I really want to be called a runner....and I am called one (by people who love me)....But lately, I have been thinking, who is a runner? And I think I have some of it pinned down....

The Hard-Core Runner

This is the runner who makes me feel like I am NOT a runner :) They talk about their splits, their speed training, their nutrition before, during, and after a race. It makes me "wanna be" like them...I just don't have the knowledge ...or the time to get the knowledge, much less put it to use. They have a trainer who will go to races with them and yell at them a various mile markers. I like to pretend that they are yelling at me...

The "Wanna Be" Hard Core Runner

ME!

The Race Circuit Runner
This runner signs up for every race within their local community. They run the 5K's, the 10K's, and the 10 milers. You see them at each one and think, "I know him/her. Wasn't he wearing the flag of France running shorts last time with no shirt??????" Usually they shouldn't be wearing that....no one really should be wearing that. Unless you are David Beckham...and then you'd have to switch out the flag. If you run into them outside of being at a race, you have a hard time placing them and are left wondering why they look so familiar. (Unless they have on the shorts...you can't possibly get that your mind....EVER. I've tried.)

The Social Runner

This is the runner I probably best represent. The social runner runs because it bonds them with a group... and they love their group. They use runs like others use a coffee date, lunch date, pedicure outing...They sign up for races that the group (or a least one other member of the group) signs up for. And they run together...the whole race...even when someone breaks a heel. I have a group of friends that I run with. We run throughout the week, but at a slow pace. It's more like therapy. A lot of talking, a lot of miles, but no big push for time.


The Weekend Runner

The weekend runner usually puts in no more than a few miles for each run. But they are consistent. Weather doesn't stop them from their weekend running.... I can't say that for myself! They are up and running before the day has even really started. They may enter a race every now and then...


The Occasional Runner

This runner will go for months without running, and for inexplicable reasons, run. I never did get that....but at least they are RUNNING!!!!!



So, am I a runner???? Yes, I think I am! And now I feel better about it. If I missed a category, let me know!!!!!

Tying Business with Pleasure

This is the first thing I have ever blogged....I've read lots of them and it seems like fun. Anyway, here goes...

I'm a runner and a stay-at-home mom. I have two BEAUTIFUL boys. I started running distance races in November 2007. My first race was the OBX half in North Carolina. I credit my friend Sue with that idea :) I was INSTANTLY hooked... Since then I have run 4 more half-marathons and am training for my 3rd full, which will be the OBX race in November. I can't wait!

As I said, I am a stay-at-home mom. My boys are 7 and 3. My littlest guy, Sutton, started pre-school this year. The plan all along has been for me to head back to work when he started school. So I need to plan...now. I'm a teacher by trade; not at all a bad job to have when raising kids. But it is overwhelming during the school year! I know..I taught until my eldest, Britton, turned 2. There's very little time left to run, much less train for any races. Everytime I think of REALLY going back full-time, I break out in hives.....could be psycholgical.....

So I have just started working on Plan B. If it works out, I can ease back into teaching at my own pace. I can keep up my running, be here for my kids, and work with something for which I have a passion. So here's the idea I came up with...I started a commemorative jewelry business. I am stamping silver discs that say RUN and 13.1 or 26.2. I thought that I had a really unique idea..I hadn't seen products like it out there. BOY WAS I WRONG! At the Rock-and-Roll Half Marathon in VA Beach this weekend, I came across a product nearly identical to mine. What a let down. But I will press on anyway and see what happens.

So this blog will cover my running and my journey into trying to start up an at-home business. I have to keep up a pace with both!!!!