Looking Like a Runner

By Amy Coward

 

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times, “she looks like a runner.” And no, they weren’t talking about me. They were talking about the tall, thin woman who fit the very stereotype for a runner -5’10” tall at least and 110 pounds dripping wet.

Well, that’s not me and guess what? There are many others just like me who have joined the running craze. I’m not sure people believe me though. Because I don’t look like a runner.

When I pick up my bibs for a race, the volunteer usually looks at me doubtfully like the bib couldn’t possibly be for me. The clerk at the shoe store asks me what kind of activity I’ll be doing in my shoes. Apparently running doesn’t enter his mind.

I ran a race this past Saturday and if you had been on the sidelines watching us go by (but you weren’t because it was pouring down rain), you would have noticed that there were only a few participants that “looked like a runner.” The rest of us were all over place. Some had more wiggle in their jiggle. Some had more junk in their trunk. Some were tall. Some were short. But ALL of us were running.

One day at work, a co-worker commented on how nice and thin a mutual friend was. “It’s from all that running!” she stated. And I added, “And a healthy dose of great genes.”

Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve bought into this way of thinking in the past. Before I began running, I thought all runners were wiry and thin. And I’m not going to lie. I hoped I would become the same when I started running. But I’ve been running for about 5 years now, including 4 half marathons and 2 full marathons and it’s a no-go. My body is being entirely stubborn and staying just like it is. No taller. No thinner. I’ll just have to focus on the other benefits of being a runner.

My heart is probably amazingly fit. Unfortunately I can’t show that off and say, “Take a look at this amazing heart of mine? Don’t you wish YOU were a runner?”

My legs are strong. I can probably outrun a burglar — in distance, if not speed. Take notice bad guys.

I have lots of cool spandex pants in my closet. And a pile of race t-shirts that anyone would envy.

I even have some serious bling – huge medals that prove my crazy affection for this sport.

You might say I’ve spent a lot of money on this hobby of mine – with special clothes, gear and race entry fees. But since it’s true that running is cheaper than therapy, I think I’m still ahead of the game.

So I’m going to continue pulling on my crazy colored running shoes 4-5 times a week and entering races here and there. I may be middle-aged and little pudgy. I may not be the fastest on the course. But if you’re tall and thin, just move on over at the race start. I might not “look like a runner” like you do, but I’m in it to finish it just like you are.

 

 

Amy Coward is a public relations professional in Columbia, SC. When she is not managing the madness of event planning at Palmetto Health Foundation, she is turning her empty nest upside down looking for fun and finding it. 

 

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