Time to Think Out Loud. Running style. Thanks, Amanda!
*Note: If you enjoy running, you are a runner*
…you see a road/trail/path/highway/sidewalk and think “this would be an awesome place for a run!”
…you don’t hesitate to spend money on running shoes or clothes. “Regular” clothes? Those purchases are RARE.
…you set an alarm on Saturday mornings. It doesn’t matter what time it is…if you set an alarm to workout on the weekend you are part of a special breed.
…you don’t “find time” to run, you make time.
…you’ve taken an awkward running selfie, but…
…you don’t feel the need to tell the world (aka post on social media) every time you run.

Why I’m publishing these is beyond me…
…you consider running to be “therapy,” but…
…you’ve learned that running does not replace actual therapy.
…you have to explain to the person at the nail salon why your feet look the way they do.
…you consider running the best form of sightseeing.

Throwback to junior year of high school
…you think everyone should be injured when you’re injured. If you don’t get to run, no one else should be allowed to either.
…you do your best thinking while running, but don’t always remember those brilliant ideas post-run. Just me??? I need to leave voice memos…
…you think about food before, during and after a run all day.
…you realize that time OFF from running doesn’t take away your runner “title.”
You know you’re a runner when you realize that running is a gift.
A gift you should never take for granted.
-Your passwords are running related
-Your kids ask if you were running every time you walk in the house – no matter how you are dressed!
Great list!!
Kristen recently posted…MoveitDE Health Challenge
Oooh the passwords one is good! People ask me if I just went running a lot, but I think it’s because I live in running clothes.
Yup, I nodded my head agreeing with every single one!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Thinking Out Loud
So many more I could have added, too!
…you pay for races not for the free shirt, but for the freedom of running in the middle of the road.
Love love love all of this! They’re all so true. I’ve already been looking up the “best running routes” for my vacation in May – it’s what I’m most excited for.
Sam @ The Running Graduate recently posted…Thinking about 13.1 goals – out Loud!
Is it weird that I want to plan a vacation to certain places just so I can run there?
yes that is such a plus to races is knowing that you can run on the road without worrying about cars.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…Week One at Home
You know you’re a runner when you make it your career.
Fun post. I can’t tell you how many brilliant ideas I’ve had on the run. I tend to write blog posts and indignant letters to the editor. Too bad I forget all that once I’m done.
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted…About Time. Thinking Out Loud
It’s very admirable that you were able to turn a passion into a career. Something I hope to accomplish one day!
You know you are a runner….when someone talks about how far away something is and you think ‘I can run that.’
Great post!
Krystal recently posted…Final thoughts and race day goals for Iron Girl
Agreed! A 26.2 mile drive? I can run that. Ok, maybe not always :)
At school we always complain about how far my friend’s apartment and dowtown is. I can run to my friend’s apartment in 6 minutes and downtown in 10. The distance isn’t so long when you can run there.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…Week One at Home
This is great! I feel like being injured almost all of 2014 taught me that running truly is a gift. I really appreciate every good and bad run now because at least I’m running and in the end even the bad runs can help you grow.
Also, totally agree with needing to leave voice memos while I run! I think of so many great things and then forget half of them.
Angie @ Love The Running recently posted…TOL: Yoga, Illness, and Nerdiness
It’s sad that it takes an injury for us to realize how special running is. I’m sorry about last year for you. 2015 will be better than ever!
Best thinking..I totally agree there! And yea…I usually forget a lot of it at the end, but I always come up with a blog post or two ;)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…What To Avoid With An Egg Allergy
I come up with blog topics but never the details of what I want to say. Frustrating!
YES to all my best ideas coming to me when I’m running and/or doing something active. And the worst part is that they disappear as soon as I sit down. Even if I write myself a little note to remember what I wanted to say, I just don’t have the brilliant wording for it when I’m not moving. I need a treadmill desk or something…
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #125 .
I try to use the notes app on my phone but I can never figure out my jumbled, autocorrected language. Now that you mention it, maybe a treadmill desk would be good for creativity!
Haha, great list Emily!
Also, whenever I see someone running and I am not, I want to immediately break into a sprint…haha!
Running is truly the best form of sightseeing. I love being able to recall paths and roads I’ve ran through places I’ve traveled – the experience is priceless!
Anddddd, letsbereal we’re never going to have pretty feet. Sorry bout it. That tradeoff is that our calves are bangin’….I think I may take that over pretty feet, ha!
May recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday (4/8/15).
Yes! I get oddly jealous when I see people running, even if I already ran that day. Oh I’d take awesome calves and legs over feet any day :)
Yep yep yep yep and yep. Running is the best way to sightsee. And I was just explaining to my roommate (who is not a runner) why I can justify buying lululemon but can’t spend $15 on a shirt. It makes no sense to most people but it makes sense to me. Runners are strange.
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…TOL: Surprises
Just did that recently…$60 at Lululemon and I didn’t even hesitate. Oops!
You know you’re a runner when your GPS tells you to turn in ____ miles and you think about how long it’d take you to run that distance. That one might just be me haha! Or when you’re driving up or down a hill and thinking about what a killer run it’d be.
Great post, Emily- I agree with so many of these :)
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Monster Cookies
I think like that, too! Actually, I remember driving to one of my first half marathons and hearing “turn in 13 miles” and I thought “crap I have to run that…” I guess I should have thought “I CAN run that!”
… The most expensive shoes you own are running sneakers :)
Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Texas VegFest and My First Days Post-Vegan
And I don’t feel guilty about buying them :)
Love all of these! I would say..
You know you’re a runner when you own twice as many running shoes as regular shoes. I’m fine with having 2 pairs of shoes for work, but I need at least 3 shoes in rotation for running!
Oh yes, I agree! And I wear my running shoes 10x more than regular shoes.
I love your opener of “If you enjoy running, you’re a runner.” I’m trainign for my first half marathon and am having trouble with actually calling myself a “runner” since I don’t feel that legit with it! Also, LOVE this posts! So much fun!
[email protected] Apple of My Eye recently posted…I Need YOUR Help!
I was wondering how your training was going! Half marathon or not, you are legit ;)
I AM a Runner!!! I try real hard not to take my running for granted! Loved this post!
Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #7 – Change of Scenery
YES! Love the enthusiasm :)
Spot on! Yes yes yes to all of these!
Lacey @ Runs and Roses recently posted…Caprese Egg Breakfast Muffins
I think I could have added a bunch more to the list! They were fun to come up with.
This is a great list! The comment about setting an alarm for Saturday morning resonates with me since I’m in the midst of training…
You know you’re a runner when a sunny, warm forecast puts the biggest smile on your face, running outside > running inside.
Allison @ Life’s a Bowl recently posted…10 Random Tidbits 4.9.15
If I can, I like to plan my long runs on days when I don’t have anything else to do. Therefore, I can go right back to bed after the run. Makes that early morning alarm a little better :) Good luck with your training!
The perfect mix of hilarious and insightful! Love it. My favorite one: *Note: If you enjoy running, you are a runner*
Georgie Morley recently posted…Health Industry Pet Peeves
As are you, my friend. Your post today rocked :)
You know you’re a runner when your running stuff is the first thing you pack (and then triple-check before leaving). I went to a wedding two summers ago and made sure my running stuff was in my carry-on, but left my dress in my checked bag. Very obvious what my priorities were!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Knoxville Marathon Race Rating
Hahaha I LOVE that! True dedication right there :)
Soooo true! My current “You know you’re a runner when…” moment is when you plan your vacations around races you want to run! I just went to Utah to run the Zion Half Marathon and made an entire vacation out of it, and I’ll probably do something similar in the fall!
kristenk recently posted…That Crazy Time I Joined A Running Club
That sounds like an incredible race/vacation! I always look for races around my vacations but might need to start planning it the other way around.
Yess….running is such a gift! Sometimes I get goosebumps on a run when I’m thinking about how blessed I am to be using my body in such a way! I don’t know about a 5:30 alarm on a Saturday though lol!!
Jamie Gunter recently posted…Zeal Protein PB & J Snack Balls
Yeah that alarm is not my favorite thing. Have to do it to beat the Florida heat!
You wear running shorts instead of underwear under your pants. Doing it right now ;)