How to become a runner
What makes you a runner? Is it running a sub-7 min/mile pace? Or maybe a sub-20 minute 5K? What about completing a marathon? But wait, what if you have to take walk breaks? Am I still a runner then? And how long does it take to truly feel like one?
I wish I could tell you I never questioned my abilities or doubted myself. But the truth is, I used to ask myself these very same questions all the time when I first started running. I would constantly compare myself to others, wondering if I was ever going to be “good enough” to call myself a runner. But you know what? Over time, I realized that being a runner isn’t about hitting a certain speed, distance, or goal. It’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and making that time for yourself.
At the beginning, I thought there was some magic number that would finally make me feel like a “real” runner. I used to think that maybe if I hit a certain pace or ran a certain distance, then I’d officially "belong" in the running community. But the more I ran, the more I realized there’s no one achievement that suddenly makes you a runner. It’s the small, everyday moments (like the days you lace up your shoes when you’re tired, or when you step outside despite the weather) that truly count. Every time you do that, you’re becoming more of your own "runnerself."
Honestly, running is simple. If you run, you’re a runner. But something happens over time that makes it even more special. It’s that mindset shift. You start to appreciate the good runs, and you push through the tough ones. And yes, some days feel effortless, while others feel like a battle. But the magic happens when you keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Even if you slow down, take walk breaks, or feel like you’re struggling, you’re still out there. That’s what makes you stronger. That’s what makes you a runner.
So, next time you’re wondering what it takes to become a runner, remember: whether you run fast, slow, long, or short, you’re a runner as long as you keep moving forward. The real victory isn’t about crossing the finish line, it’s about the journey that brought you here, and very step you’ve taken to FeedtheRunner inside you.
