Heather: Are you a runner? I mean, what constitutes a runner? There are some
telltale signs, and I reckon if you can relate to two or more of our suggestions, then you're
already a fully subscribed member of the hypothetical run club.
[music] You know, you're a runner when you are so
tired, but for recovery you go for a run. Yes, you're sat at your desk yawning away,
just struggling to make it through to the end of the working week. It's Friday, and
most people would just make it through the day any maybe pour themselves a glass of wine,
go sit on the sofa and just chill. Not you, you head out the door for a run.
[music] You know you're a runner when your wardrobe
is overflowing with lycra, a pair of leggings for every day of the week. Not a problem.
When you're lycra starts to outweigh your casual clothes and your workwear four to one,
then I think that's a fair sign you've made it as a runner. Talking of clothes, you feel
most comfortable in your lycra. You'd quite happily go to your local coffee shop wearing
your trainers and your favorite pair of leggings. Anyway, if you turned up there with your hair
down and not wearing a pair of trainers, they probably wouldn't recognize you.
[music] Talking of trainers, you know you're a runner
when you're running shoes are the first item that go into your suitcase if you've got a
few days of holiday. In actual fact, they'd probably go in your hand luggage, because
just imagine if your luggage got mislaid and you didn't have them for a few days.
[music] Holidays, yes you know you're a runner when
you get invited on a group trip or a destination wedding that evolves a few days away. The
first thing you do is open up your laptop, not to search the local bars and restaurants,
but to look at Google Maps and find out where the nearest park is and where you can go running.
You might even go to the extreme of looking up local park runs or events that are happening
nearby. Now I have to admit I am slightly guilty of that one, but then the last hen
do I went on actually involved a park run. I think it's fair to say my friends count
as runners too. [music]
You know, your run out when Sunday's couldn't be further from a rest day. They are, of course,
long run day. Your morning starts pretty early, getting up in time to digest your breakfast.
You check the forecast, you go to the loo again. By the time you've done your run, it's
obviously lunchtime. Then you need to refuel, and relax and recover on the sofa. That's
the weekend go on, but thankfully Monday is a time to rest at your desk.
[music] You know, you're a runner when toenails become
a small price to pay for the enjoyment of an ultra marathon. I mean, open-toed sandals
are overrated anyway, surely and compare that to the bragging rights you have for telling
everyone about your latest mega mileage event. Now who's laughing?
[music] This one is serious. You know you're a runner
when it becomes totally acceptable to talk about bathroom issues with your fellow runners.
When we talk about runner's tummy, we're not meaning a six-pack of abs. No, it probably
means there's about to be an impromptu bathroom stop. Now, this conversation seems to flow
quite happily among runners, but make sure you keep it within those circles. I'm not
sure your friends who don't run would quite understand equally, they probably wouldn't
understand that a bush can double up as a bathroom shelter.
[music] You know you're a runner when you get slightly
obsessed with the number on your watch at the end of your run. I mean who want 9.8 kilometers
or 5.9 miles on their upload. We're creatures of perfection, and you're not alone if you
do a few extra laps of the car park, or maybe run up and down your street just to get that
exact dead on number. Yes, you might get a few odd looks, but it's going to look good
when it comes to the upload. Talking of which, are you guilty of perfecting that title of
your run? Surely all your friends and followers want
to know what the run was, how you were feeling, what your thoughts were during that run. Anyway,
the great point is you've got loads of time whilst pounding the streets to come up with
that perfect title. You know you're a runner when you simply cannot take off your watch.
You spend so many hours outside in the sunshine that when you do remove your watch, the lines
remain. Then you've got a difficult dilemma. Say you're going out for the evening, do you
simply wear said sports watch with your nice evening attire? Or do you take it off and
then get flack for that hideous white mark? [music]
Come on now, be honest with yourselves and with me, how many of those are you guilty
of? There isn't any science here, but if it's two or more, congratulations, because you
can now call yourself a runner, well done. If you're not quite there, then I reckon you're
not far behind. If I have missed any signs that you might be a runner, do let me know
in the comment section below. Give us a thumbs up, like and make sure you check out our social
media channels and give those a follow too. [00:05:24] [END OF AUDIO]