TRAVEL
You Know You're A Runner...
· when the drive to the race is longer than the race itself.
· when you keep your family updated on how far you are from your destination by saying, "There's only 10k until Grandma's house"--and everyone knows how far that is.
· when you run to your gate at the airport even though you aren't late or wearing running shoes.
· when your idea of sightseeing involves visiting the local running store and finding the best place for hill repeats and long runs.
· when you get off an 18-hour flight and go for your long run because a) you need to stretch your legs, b) you want to see the city/country, and c) you have a already scheduled run.
· when you realize that all the travelling you did in the last year revolved around races.
· when, on trips, you find it entertaining to see how fast you can convert speeds and distances from miles to kilometres and vice versa.
· you avoid travelling to places where you won't be able to run.
· when you get back from vacation and the first thing you tell people about is how the running was.
· when you fly with your running clothes and shoes in your carry-on bag.
NUTRITION
You Know You're A Runner...
· when all your friends think you eat too healthy.
· when you not only eat gels, but you know the best flavours of every brand.
· when you consider pasta a food group.
· when the sports drinks are in front of the soda, beer, and juice in your fridge.
· when you know the name of all the checkers at your local health food store.
· when you have two eggs, two pieces of toast, a slice of cheese, a glass of juice, and a yogurt for breakfast and are hungry again by 11:00 a.m.
· when you drink your least favourite kind of sports drink because you know it is what will be handed out at water stops at your next race and you want your body to be accustomed to it.
· when pasta is the only food you'll eat two nights before a race.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
You Know You're A Runner...
· when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast (twice) before your family/roommates even wake up.
· when your family knows that you will run on Thanksgiving and Christmas (or other holidays you celebrate) no matter what.
· when your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts because they know it for sure.
· when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major holidays, but never the date of your next race.
· when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your (non-running) family and friends about something other than running.
· when your family plans vacations based on where your next marathon will be.
· when your non-running family and friends know the differences between feet that are neutral, over-pronating, and supinating.
· when you run so much that your family has a separate laundry basket for your running clothes. · when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but rather ask you when.
· when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.
· when you call four miles an easy day.
· when you try to convince people to run a 5k because it's "only" three miles.
· when you no longer have to explain to your friends why cotton isn't the best choice for running attire.
· when you come back after an hour-long run and your spouse says, "That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon."
· when you smirk at people who tell you that you run too much or are crazy for enjoying a run.
INJURIES
You know You're A Runner...
· when you know how to correctly pronounce plantar fasciitis.
· when you have a favourite ice pack.
· when you brag about losing toenails.
· when your room smells like a nursing home because of all the analgesic cream you use.
· when a pool is started to bet on when your next toenail will fall off
· when you put more time and work into taping parts of your body than into filing your tax return.
· when you go through a box of bandages without getting a single cut.
· when there are permanent blood stains on your T-shirts where your nipples were rubbed raw.
· when it hurts worse to take a shower than it does to keep running.
· when you find yourself standing in front of the mirror trying to see if you have a leg length discrepancy.
· when you are the only person in town who knows what quinine is used to treat things other than malaria.
· when your physical or massage therapist is on speed dial.
· when your rolling pin is kept near your bed instead of in the kitchen.
CLOTHES
You know You're A Runner...
· when you refuse to wash your running shoes because you like to wear the dirt as a badge of honour.
· when every T-shirt you own has a race name and sponsors list on it.
· when your socks come in two categories: running socks and others.
· when you go from having a drawer for your running clothes to having an entire bureau.
· when you balk at the cost of everyday shoes and then spend $75 to 100 on a pair of running shoes that will only last three months--and think you're getting a fabulous deal.
· when you think a black Timex Ironman watch goes with a black tie dress.
· when you are constantly washing running clothes but have to go through piles of clothes on the floor to find something to wear to work each morning. when you have to explain to everyone why you can't run in the T-shirts you get at races
