I've been running consistently for a couple of years now. I've also had the opportunity to train and participate in a few 5ks. But joining my university's first ever cross country team pushed me to become a better runner. However, I still have a love-hate relationship with running. If you're a runner, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
Here are 22 moments all runners understand!
1. When you have to run in the summer heat.
Running in the heat is the worst thing ever. In the first five minutes, your whole body becomes completely drenched in sweat. No matter how much water you drink throughout the day, you still feel dehydrated. The sun beats down your neck and you start to feel like an egg frying on the sidewalk. And even though you want to run as fast as you can back to your air conditioned house, you have to slow down if you don't want to pass out.
2. When you have to train in the cold winter weather.
You complain when you have to run in low temperatures. For some reason, your legs always start to itch, making your run more difficult and uncomfortable. By the end of the run, you can't feel your face, hands and feet anymore.
3. When you have to wake up early to run.
You hate waking up early just to run. But sometimes, you just have to force yourself to get up if you have a full schedule that day or if it's too hot and humid to run later on. It feels as if your body is still half asleep during your run. At least you get to watch the sun rise, boost your metabolism and not have to worry about running for the rest of the day!
4. When you have to run before it gets too dark.
Sometimes, running in the dark is scary. Or your parents won't let you because it's too dangerous. Therefore, you have to settle for dusk. You push yourself to run a little bit faster to get back home before the sky turns pitch black.
5. When music is the only thing that keeps you going.
Although my coach advises our team to not run while listening to music due to its influence on our pace, some of us still do it. With carefully crafted running playlists on Spotify, it's hard not to. Running to the beat and rhythm of music puts you in a better mood.
6. When podcasts save you from boredom.
Runs that are more than three miles get extremely boring. When silence or listening to music gets old, turn to podcasts. Serial, hosted by Sarah Koenig, is probably one of the best ones out there. The first season follows the murder of Hae Min Lee in Baltimore, 1999, and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. The mixture of investigative journalism and crime story will make you forget that you are even running.
7. When you have to run up a hill.
Uphills are the creation of the devil. When you see a hill coming up, you have to think positive thoughts such as "there will always be a downhill." Going up a hill takes your breath away - literally. But you feel like a champion once it's over.
8. When your running watch is your baby.
If you consistently run with a watch, running without it feels as if you're running naked. Whether you have a super fancy Fitbit watch or a $20 watch from Target like me, you cannot run without it. Your time becomes so important once you get used to recording it. Without your watch, you wouldn't be able to accurately track your progress.
9. When the thirst is real.
Even if you stay hydrated throughout the day, your throat feels like a desert while you're running. You swallow your spit out of desperation. It's even worse when you pass by a brook or a lake... you just want to jump in and drink all that water.
10. When you feel tough as hell running in the rain.
I remember when my XC coach told us to run in the pouring rain. At first, I thought he was crazy. Who would want to get soaking wet and muddy after a run? Afterwards, I realized that there's just something about running in the rain that makes you feel tough and unstoppable.
11. When you run better when someone else is watching.
Don't try to deny it. When you pass by a group of people or a number of cars, you try your best to not run like a slob. You try to perfect your form and pretend like you're a lifeguard on Baywatch.
9. When your shoelaces get untied.
No matter how many times you tie your shoelaces (Once? Twice? Or three times, just to be secure), they somehow become untied again. It's so inconvenient to stop your run and tie them, but you have to do it if you don't want to trip and fall over.
10. When you only have to run one to two miles.
One to two miles is nothing if you've been running three times more than that consistently. You throw a little party in your head when you only have to do a quick run!
11. When you make a route that happens to be the exact mileage you wanted to run.
You get on MapMyRun, create a route for five miles and get "5.23" by the end. It's a miracle when you get the exact number of miles you wanted to run when you create your desired route.
12. When you can't run outside so you have to settle for a treadmill.
When the odds are against you and you can't run outside, you have to settle for a treadmill. Running on the treadmill gets super boring. Plus, you don't get accurate times and mileage. Sometimes, you just have to suck it up and get it over with.
13. When you find random things on the road.
If you run outside a lot, I'm sure that you've seen all sorts of things on the road, trail or sidewalk before. You've seen it all - from candy wrappers to empty liquor bottles in plastic bags to stuffed animals. What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen during your run?
14. When you come across roadkill.
I hate running by a dead animal or an already picked apart carcass! Sometimes, I don't even see it from afar and jump when I find it right next to me. You've seen dead deer, raccoons, otters, frogs, birds... the list goes on and on.
15. When you are drenched in sweat.
For some reason, you feel even more successful after you see how sweaty you are post-run. Your sweat becomes a way of knowing how hard you ran that day. But sometimes, you get annoyed when your sweat drips into your eye or when it causes the pimples on your forehead.
16. When someone in front of you doesn't want to move out of the way.
There's always that one person or group who does not want to move to the other side when you're trying to pass them. Sometimes, you have to go out of your way and get on the road just to get in front of them.
17. When you get weird tans.
During the summer, you get all sorts of tan lines. You find yourself wearing an invisible shirt and shorts the next time you stand in front of a mirror.
18. When you have to spend money on races.
Running a race can definitely get expensive. Sometimes, you feel bad for spending $40 bucks on a regular 5K or $125 for Tough Mudder, especially when you know that you can run outside for free anytime. But you feel as if it's all worth it once you get your bib, your shirt and your medal.
19. When you have to buy new running shoes.
Even if you don't like shopping, buying new running shoes is always exciting for you. You love going to actual running stores, getting on those cool treadmills that tell you all about your feet and purchasing your customized shoes. Although you have to break them in first, you can't help but feel like a new person once you put them on. You will also miss your old pairs, so you still keep them in the back of your closet.
20. When you have to pack your running shoes wherever you go.
Running doesn't stop when you go on vacation. Therefore, running shoes are definitely on your packing list.
21. When you are always hungry.
Once you become a runner, you find yourself more hungry than ever. Even though you just ate five minutes ago, your belly is already groaning for more food. You also wish that you can carb load everyday. But you're not complaining about being hungry and eating a lot because you need that energy for your runs and you can burn those calories later!
22. When you get that runner's high.
Even if you hate running sometimes, you can't help but love it when you get a runner's high after an awesome run. It feels as if you're ready to conquer the world.
As a runner, these 22 moments have become a part of you. Although running can be tiring, boring and painful at times, you know to stick through it and try your best to finish your runs. In the end, you pat yourself on the back and run again the next day.
