I think it’s the endorphins. Runners are kind, happy folks and I am proud to be part of this group (go me!).
That alone is enough to make someone come back for more. Even if this article says different. I get what the article is saying about this marathon thing being a bit of a trend, a bit of a passing craze, but to those of us who love it, we’re sticking around.
Second thing I wanted to discuss with you all was the use of the word “just”. I worked at the Detroit Marathon expo and was saddened to hear so many runners say “just the half” when asked which race they were doing. They said it as if they were ashamed of it. Come on people it’s still 13 miles! Yes, I too fall victim to the the “just this many miles” or the “just that many miles” but we are ALL champs.
Bottom line, no matter how many miles we log, getting out there and pounding the pavement, staying healthy, and staying strong are what it’s all about. (Walkers, I am talking to you too!)
Sure it’s “just” a small number when you are used to logging big digits during serious training mode but it’s still mileage. I’ll give “just” a pass in this case, but no gold star.
Be proud of your 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathons! I know from now on I am going to be more aware of when that word “just” hops into my speech. I have done it too and promise to work on it myself.
Lastly, can you tell that I am feeling the love right now? I am on some weird post travel high and there is more running in sight. I imagine this is what drugs are like. But drugs are bad, mmmkay…
This weekend, the Redhead and I are going to watch Navy Steve do his first Ironman. Holy crap. Ironman. Insanity! GO NAVY!
Then on Sunday I am going to root on my fellow BRA members (from my ‘puter) as they kick serious butt at MCM.
Yay for running! Yay for racing! Yay for healthy! Yay! Yay! Yay!
Yeah, just blame the endorphins.
The endorphins are rushing through your veins and it's AWESOME! Totally agree with this post. Runners are the best bunch of people out there. So friendly, supportive, happy, positive… I love this community!
I'm so glad you and running are working things out… I have been rooting for you this whole time. It's just that you make such a great couple. 😛
I was trying to explain all of this to my husband yesterday and he kinda understood but I don't feel like I got the feeling across that runners are just great people! LOL
I run my first Half Marathon this weekend and there is NO "just" about it! LOL
Runners are awesome folks for sure!
And I think half marathons need their own name. Why do they have to be half of anything?!?
Hmmmm maybe you're not on drugs, but at least everyone I work with thinks I MUST be on drugs for running such long distances, bicycling longer than their commutes and just not sitting still in general. I think drugs would just be a let down. Go Running! 🙂
Great post! I have definitely caught myself saying "Oh, it's just 10 miles today" or it's only an 8K.
Ok, ok, I'll take "just" outta my vocab. For a day maybe.
I wish I knew more runners, because yes, everyone is always so happy-pants! Only one of my real-life friends is a runner and she's faking it at best (can you say "bandit"?) and so I'm left feeling like I have a giant purple chicken glued to my forehead because everyone brushes me off like I'm an outcast. Me: Gotta go for a run first! Them: Or you could just … not …
Oh well.
Yay! Yay! Yay!!
I always say "not a marathon, just a half" when people ask me when my marathon is…..I need to work on it too. I am not sure if I will ever run a full marathon, and I actually feel bad about that….I may change my mind one day, but with young kids and a full time job, I am feeling like I am missing out on time with them when I am training, even for the half, so……only time will tell!! But for now, I am totally dedicated to my first 10K in 3 weeks and my first half marathon in 6.5 weeks, and for that I am proud!!!!
Great post!
You forgot the last .1 mile of the half marathon. I know it's "just" .1 miles but it counts too – lol.
I'm "just" running 3 half marathons and one 30K race in the next 4-weeks and I can assure you that there is nothing "just" about it.
Love the attitude 🙂
All the best!
Ron
Yeah there is nothing "just" about running any distance. Great post.
You're so right. A lot of us do say 'just' very often. I'm training for my first marathon and when people ask me how many miles I've run over the weekend, if it's not a really long run, I'll say 'oh, just 10 miles' when in reality those 10 miles are definitely worth being proud of! I agree, we should all be proud of ourselves for getting off the couch and running, whether it's 3 or 23 miles.
Love the post! You rock, B.o.B.! There has been a noticeable buzz in the air with the start of marathon season. Loving it! And any distance has its own merits, though I have been guilty of saying "just" too. Thanks for setting us straight, runner girl!
Ugh, that article is kind of lame. Thanks for sharing, though!!!
Runners ARE the best and since I started running in January I've had nothing but good, no GREAT, experiences when I meet other runners!!
This was perfect. I was going to run "just" a few miles tonight to test out my knees, but now I am going to run a couple of awesome miles.
And runners ARE the best!!!
This is a great post! An amazing pep talk all runners both experienced and newbies need to read!!!
We are good people, happy people– and healthy! Yeah you– Yeah us 🙂
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. 🙂
Love runners and bloggers, and this trip to SF let me meet 3! Great post!
I don't want to brag or anything, but runners are the friggen best ever! and I think your comments on "just a half" are dead on…well said.
Haha, looks like someone might have OD'd on endorphins 🙂 It happens to the best of us!
And you are totally right about the word "just". I've seen the same looks on runners' faces–like they are ashamed to "just" be running 13.1 miles.
Although, sometimes I think it can be a positive thing too. As in, "Hey, I'm training for my first marathon, and I am thinking 'just 8 miles today'! 8 miles used to seem IMPOSSIBLE to me! Now it's nothing! Yippy!"
Okay, so maybe I'm the one who OD'd on the endorphins . . . or coffee. One of the two. 🙂
agreed runners rock and a half is still a darn long ways to run!!!
ok I am shamelessly stopping by all the bloggies that I read daily to ask for their vote daily…from as many computers and friends as possible to help me win the job as the Sam-e Good Mood blogger
http://sam-e.com/job/profile/751
I used to do that all the time. It's "just" 8 miles. Or I'm "just" running the 10K today. Then I ran 50 miles a week for a while. Now it's "Screw that! I'm only going 8!"
Seriously though, I think the whole running craze here in the U.S. points to the competitiveness that is part of our culture. We are always looking to do more better. That is what has allowed us to do more in 233 years than a lot of countries have done in twice the time.
And all those races I planned? What I do is pick a training plan (more about that later this week) and then figure out which weeks work well into race distances. I'm just lucky to live somewhere where there are many races of any distane on any given weekend to choose from. Not to mention I need to get approval of the family CEO (wife)….
Right there w/ya on the use of just. Although, I do it all the time. It's an epidemic!!!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
I have mixed feelings about the article, but I agree with you that there should be no shame in racing at shorter distances. In fact, I have far more respect for a very fast 5k or 10k runners. They train very differently than casual or even consistent marathoners…and usually last longer in the sport as a result, too.
Right on! Great post! Runners are great people to be-friend, and I hear ya on the "just" word. I use it far too often. I have a 13.1 sticker on my car, and I'm not ashamed of it!
Do those endorphins come in a liquid form? Like could I drop some in my java and do away with the whole running thing? ah ha
Yay for B.o.B.'s blogs and Yay for Navy Steve's "Iron-Distance" this Saturday….damnit, it's an Ironman regardless of who's organizing it! You're our hero Navy Steve!
Running is such a gift!
You are so right about people stating that they are running 'just halfs' and feeling bad about it. Generally when people I work with who run or race talk about their races or their times/distances, they seem to do it with their heads down .. its unfortunate, finishing ANY race or just getting out and doing ANYTHING is an accomplishment, it should be looked at that way…
I'm totally guilty of saying just as in 'eh, i'm just doing the half' or 'it's no biggie, i'm just doing a 6 mi run', but you know what? You're right…no distance is 'just' anything! It's an accomplishment, a milestone, a big something!