Running is a bit different than other types of exercises. What I mean is those who do it generally love it. Why else would someone push themselves past side, knee and feet pains, past aching lungs and tired muscles just for that extra mile or set? For anyone out there that calls themselves a runner, whether that be competitively or just as a way to get some exercise, there are a few things we know to be true. Here are the top ten runner things I have experienced throughout my life as a runner:
1. The feeling of an ice bath.
No matter how many ice baths you take, you never quite get used to the feeling of your legs and toes slowly tingling until they're completely numb. And don't even get me started on sitting ice baths. Ultimately, ice baths make you feel better and recover faster, but that doesn't mean we have to like them.
2. Rolling your legs out after a run.
Your legs feel so good after being rolled out . . . but while you're rolling them, not so much. Every runner knows what it feels like to hit a knot in your muscle and have an involuntary scream exit your mouth. Why roll your legs if it hurts so bad? Because it feels 1000x better than leaving your legs unrolled.
3. "What's my time?"
I have yet to meet a serious runner that wasn't completely consumed with timing themselves. From practice to meets to evening workouts, runners always want to know how long it took them to run what they were running. And if the time wasn't what you wanted? You can bet a runner will be pushing themselves even more the next time to accomplish their goal.
4. Wearing shoes out at record pace.
Runners can never have a pair of shoes for very long before holes begin to appear. First it starts with a bit of a tear, and before you know it, you're buying a whole new pair.
5. Three words: Weird. Tan. Lines.
Running in the summer means tan lines. Not just any tan lines though-- watch tan lines, sock tan lines, KT tape tan lines, the list goes on. Nothing screams fashion like quirky tan lines . . . Right?
6. IT band soreness.
If your IT band happens to be sore and your coach/trainer says: "Get on the table"-- run. Just run. Yes, I understand they have massaging gel-- just trust me on this one.
7. Baby powder saves lives.
Chafing happens. Luckily, baby powder exists!
8. Feeling dangerously close to death.
After a hard workout or race, sometimes you're too tired to even breathe. All you can do is fall down and just hope you don't die.
9. When you find a running partner that can keep pace with you.
It's a rare and beautiful moment when you find a running partner that can not only keep pace with you but has the same running schedule, too. This is your person, and once you find them you must never let them go!
10. Somehow dread and excitement become complementary emotions.
You'd be a liar if you said you didn't occasionally dread a difficult run. But, in the end, you know you love the ache in your muscles, constantly buying new shoes and socks, rolling out the knots in your legs and owning baby powder as an adult. Ultimately, you chose to be a runner-- and a wise choice it is.
