How people respond when you tell them you’re a runner
You know that moment when you meet someone and tell them you’re a runner. You’ve probably had to answer at least a few of these several times.
We love that others are curious about our sport. We know the sport so well but others are in awe when we explain just the basics. When you tell someone you’re a runner, here are some of the most common questions you have to answer.
1. What is the longest distance you’ve ever run?
When someone asks this, you often have to pause and think. Maybe it’s just over 10K maybe it’s 30 or 40. Do stage races count? Whatever your answer is, it feels unimpressive until you see the look on their face.
2. I hate running.
This is a common one. You basically say something like “Once you get into it, it gets easier,” but you can tell you’re not converting this person any time soon so you drop it.
3. Don’t you find it boring?
That moment when someone calls yours hobby boring… You know what they mean, many find the sport boring. You get it. You just respond by telling them no you don’t find it boring and bite your tongue before adding that you obviously wouldn’t be keeping it up if you did.
4.Can you run 5K?
You say yes realizing that this is a given and something that you take for granted.
5. Can you run 10K?
Admit that it kind of feels good when the other person finds this impressive. To you, this is likely a distance you could do any day.
6. How many marathons have you done?
This is fun to talk about if you’ve done several marathons. If not, it can be frustrating explaining that you haven’t graduated to the marathon but that you’ve really chopped down your 5K and 10K PBs. You can tell they are unimpressed.
7. Do you run in winter?
When you say yes, they often look alarmed. And maybe a little bit worried. You assure them that it’s fine.
8. Wait, you get up at 5:00 a.m.?
Explaining this one never gets easy.
9. But you’re already skinny.
It’s hard to hide your sheer annoyance at this comment. Your running is about so much more than achieving a particular body size but somehow, people never seem to believe you.
10. I can only run ___.
This is what someone says before you convince them that it’s not true. To you, this is the opener to a motivational pep talk.
11. I couldn’t give up my favorite foods for health foods.
When you let them in on the little secret that you actually don’t eat just health food, their mind is blown. Job well done.
12. Do you do any sports though?
If you stared blankly at this person and then went on to explain (slightly snarky) that running is a sport, we’re OK with this response.
13. Want to train me for the race I entered?
Depending on how often you’ve been asked this question, you either love it or you hate it. On one hand, you’re pumped to have a new running friend. On the other, you’re worried that they will quit on you.
posted Friday November 11th
by Sinead Mulhern