Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
What did it take for the rest of you to think of yourselves as real runners ... or do we all struggle with that?
I still struggle with that. It always amazes me to hear people who run 7, 8 or 9 minute miles talk about being frustrated with what they call their "slow speed." I know it's all relative - we all have our own abilities to work with and our own personal goals, but I would be absolutely thrilled to run a mile in less than 10 minutes. I usually don't even mention my times for running - I just try to set my own personal goals and enjoy the run regardless of what everyone else is doing. When all's said and done, though, I'm usually in the bottom 10-20% at any running event.

Isn't it said that only 2% of the world's population can run a mile? I've done a half marathon, but when someone asks me if I'm a runner I usually hem-haw and end up saying something like "yeah, I like to run." (Please don't ask about time/speed - you're expecting to be impressed but . . . ) Oh, and I have one of those shirts that says "My sport is your sport's punishment." I ordered it when I was having a "yes, I do "deserve this" day. Then I showed to it my husband and he frowned - and it shouldn't get to me, but it kind of did. I do wear it sometimes, though.