A Recipe to Be a Runner

                           

     In my opinion, anyone who runs is a runner regardless of size, age, or speed, but there are some qualities that seem to stand out among runners. Here are the ingredients that I think it takes to make a runner.

Several cups of grit

Runners are tough. No matter where a runner is in the running journey, a runner greets any setbacks with plan b. While someone else might give up when faced with a challenge, a runner finds a way around it.

An ample sprinkling of positive attitude

Attitude is slightly different from grit because the difference between positive or negative can effect your level of grit. A runner with a positive attitude will have a five minute pity party when an injury or illness knocks him down, but then the runner will look beyond the setback to coming back stronger with healing.

A dash of love for running shoes

Most runners run on a variety of terrains so it is a good idea to have shoes to meet the different demands. I have lightweight shoes for short runs, light trail shoes for middle distances, shoes with cushions for marathons, and heavy duty trail shoes for ultras. There is no doubt that I am a runner when you look in my closet.

A pinch of resiliency

All runners have to deal with injuries big and small during their running careers, but most runners will be back running as soon as possible. We have an amazing ability to bounce back which has something to do with the grit and attitude.

A dusting of fearlessness

I know quite a few runners who are willing to try things that most people would laugh at, and these runners will tell you how much fun they had while others think they are crazy. I have a terrible fear of heights and I don’t much like obstacles, but when my friend who was fighting cancer asked me to run a Mudder race with her, I said yes without hesitation. Every time I had to climb over another high obstacle and plummet down the other side, I just made myself think of my friend. All runners have a little bit of crazy inside, the urge to try something unknown that pushes us out of our comfort zone.

Seasoning to taste of competitiveness

We are competitive with ourselves, with our friends, and with the runner who has been on our heels for the entire race. We always want to be better, faster, stronger.

     If you put all these ingredients together, and let the qualities rise to the top, you will find the average runner, and although the recipe will never yield exactly the same results every time, the average runner is still a glorious thing to behold.