This is a great thread! Thank you, Lorri, or your post. When I started running several years ago, I began to ask myself some of those questions, and decided, after a while, that I was indeed an athlete. I'll never win a race, and the only time I ever win my age group is when I'm the only one my age that shows up , but I'm having a good time, and that's all that matters.

I also realized that race organizers don't organize races for just the "elite" athletes; if they did, how could they ever make any money? It's those of us "regular people" that are the bread and butter for charity rides and races. We pay our money, have a good time, and don't take home anything but good memories and feelings of accomplishment. Everyone on this board is a true athlete and a wonderful inspiration, and you should all be very proud of yourselves.

KB