Jeff Foxworthy, before he was famous for hosting a game show asking if we were smarter than fifth graders, became a household name in many parts of America by asking simple (humorous) questions by which one could identify oneself with a particular (colloquial) demographic.

Even if you have been running for several years, you may still be in denial about whether or not others should consider you a “runner.”  Here at runcoach, we’ll let our inner Jeff Foxworthy allow you to decide if you have crossed the Rubicon from a person who runs to an actual, bonafide, dyed in the wool, “runner” by asking a few simple questions of our own.

Take heart, even if you answer yes to each of these, at runcoach, you are among friends.  We’ve all done at least one of these a few times…

If your foam roller is now “too soft”….you might be a runner.

If you fall ill and your initial concern is whether or not you will have to take a “0” in the training log…….you might be a runner.

If you have eaten a gel packet for a snack, even when you haven’t been, or are not currently running……you might be a runner.

If you when you see John Hancock’s signature you think “Boston Marathon” instead of “Declaration of Independence”…….you might be a runner.

If you wear your running shoes on the plane for regular travel because you are willing to risk your other clothes being lost, but your running shoes are non-negotiable…..you might be a runner.

If you deliberately save old sweats for race day throw-aways……you might be a runner.

If I say “Heartbreak” and you say “Hill” instead of “Hotel”……you might be a runner. 

If you have started to wear your Garmin occasionally as a regular watch….you might be a runner.

If you stop your watch at stoplights and/ or run up and down the sidewalk until the light turns and you can cross…..you might be a runner.

If you have ever given someone bad driving directions because you know your current neighborhood, town, or location better via the pedestrian paths…..you might be a runner.

If you have jogged circles in a parking lot for the sole purpose of ending on a round number for minutes or miles for the day or week…..you might be a runner.

If you know your personal bests from 5K to the marathon by heart…..you might be a runner.

If you have ever run a couple extra miles at the end of your run for no other reason than it was a nice day…….you might be a runner. 

If you look forward to traveling west because you’ll naturally wake up early and can get a run in…….you might be a runner. 

If you can’t help making mental notes of inviting dirt trails and smooth bike paths alongside the road while you are driving…..you might be a runner. 

If you have made the decision to join a community of athletes training with the best individualized, online training on the web…..you might be a runner, and we’re glad to have you aboard!