You know You're A Runner When....

You Know You Are A Runner When.... (by Jesslyn Cummings)

• when your spouse, coworkers, children, or neighbors complain about how cranky you are after you missed your run.
• you know the definitions of fartlek, tempo run, taper, and glycogen stores--and use them regularly.
• when you can actually say "fartlek" without a single hint of a laugh.
• when you find that you have to think of your run schedule to remember what day of the week it is.
• when you have a folder for running webpages in your bookmarks.
• when you can name at least three writers of running blogs.
• when you wake up thinking about today's run and go to sleep thinking about tomorrow's run.
• when you run up to a red light and think "Man, I wish I didn't have to stop!" instead of "Good, I wanted a break!"
• when you drive your route after your runs to find out how far you went.
• when you dream about running.
• when giving directions, you can give the tenths or hundreths of a mile ("turn right in .38 miles").
• when you use the words "easy" and "long run" in the same sentence.
• when you continue running despite the fact that when you blink your eyelashes stick together because they are collecting ice and snow.
• when you spend more time on sites like this than you do work.
• when you cross the finish line of a marathon and you start considering where and when the next one will be.
• when you spend your free time reading nutrition labels and race results.
• when you are running a race, your calves are cramping, your knees are aching, and your lungs are burning but you still find yourself thinking, "This is fun!"
• when you have an exact 'prestart routine' for all runs--the same stretches in the same place for the same amount of time before you take off.
• when you leave the New Year's Eve party early because you have a race in the morning.
• when you have to drive for 20 miles before you find a road you haven't run on.
• when you buy Gatorade and Epsom salt by the truck load.
• when you have your race schedule set out for five years in advance but can't remember if you are scheduled to work the next day or not.
• when your big date each week is the date you have with a good pair of running shoes and the road.
• when it is suggested that you give up running for Lent.