We were out for supper last night. The conversation for one reason or other moved to favourite places to walk. Tissington Trail was mentioned.
Silly me, I said I had run a 10k event there earlier this year and that I was planning a 10mile run there early next year. One of the guys (somewhat younger than me) said:
"10 miles, really? Even real runners find 10 miles tough.....do you mean 10 miles?". I assured him I did indeed mean 10 miles!
I gathered from this response that he felt I wasn't a 'real runner'. He didn't ask if I run regularly, how far I run, am I following a training plan etc. For info, my furthest runs are now up to 12k.
He then went on to say that he would want to run 8 miles a couple of times before a ten mile event (he doesn't currently run at all), and that he would expect to take two and half hours to complete a 10 mile run.
I'm then thinking: mmmmmm you know what, I think I could match that time.
My response? "Not to worry, your slow 10 miles is as far as a fast 10 miles", ......(smiles sweetly).
So I now have even more motivation to run my 10 mile event early next year to celebrate my 61st birthday, thank you very much sir!
Will this make me a "real runner?.
Written by
Millsie-J
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I'm not a real runner - I'm a fake runner. I still can't figure out how I got to the end of my last half marathon in 2 hours 20 minutes at age 70. I do think that my body was snatched by the Martian body snatchers a while ago and they are now making me do things that I have no idea why I am doing them. I mean - I have even joined a gym recently because I hurt my foot and can't even fake not running properly anymore - I just don't do "going to the gym and faking weight lifting workouts". It's the Martians - or maybe it's the Guvment??
Cheeky bu**er! But if he doesn't run then he has no clue really? I love the way non-runners have the answers and seem to know so much about something they don't even do.......But to even hint you're not a "real runner"!!! Grrrrrrr that makes my blood boil. But you handled it beautifully Jacs.
And yes you know you are definitely a real, proper, grown-up runner 🏃🏃🏃x
This is so common with non runners who know every single thing about it...not !!!
You are one of most 'real runners' I know!!! Pity he did not talk to you further to find out about your awesome running journey!!! Some folk feel really threatened by.. shock horror, a woman.. out doing them!!!
We had a neighbour, who would only, in conversation, ever direct his words to the males in the group..he was of the opinion that women do not have any right to a brain, or a thinking mind or of any kind of opinion...he only tried that once, with me.. !!!
You will crack that 10 mile no problem...and maybe you could give him a link to C25K,, he sounds like he could do with some 'proper running' training xxx
Over the years I have learned not to get drawn by other people's thoughtless or sometimes uninformed conversation (lucky for them).
I will give a more full response to him in March next year when I proudly show off my 10 mile medal🏅😃🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️
He sounds both patronising and ignorant in my humble opinion 🙂 - but good on you for your comment! Nothing more annoying than someone who doesn't run questioning the practice of someone who does!
Btw at 12k you are now less than a Parkrun off your target, so well on course for that 10 mile. Good luck🙂
You are definitely a real runner in my books (and I'm still a pretend runner - but I'll get there - once I have finally got to 5k without walking some of it!)
He sounds like he has 'issues' with inadequacy 😆 what a complete muppet. Real runners are people who ........ run. Clearly he doesn't so he's erm, not a 'real' runner himself and therefore woefully inadequately qualified to comment. End of!
Regardless of how fast or far you run, the mere fact you run regularly allows you to call yourself a runner. The only thing that'll change such a fact is if you stop running.
Hi Jacs-W. You are indeed a proper runner. Ask ( no.... tell any doubters) come along and run with me,,(that's you not me) you will be surprised how many ," have to work this weekend"' or ,"I am recovering from an injury". Will !ook forward to meeting up with you at Thoresby Rita my long distance running wife will do the 10 k I will stick to 5 k. Managed to go sub 34 to day in my duathlon practise Mike
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Anybody who can't do that is not a real runner 
Now I'm a runner!
C25K consolidation 
Super Proud, Parkrun Sub 26 PB and just done my first ever 10 miles run!!
Should I give it a go?
New Years Day Double and 2020 Running Goals
