Runner Confessions

We all come to the sport of running by different paths, but it's amazing how many of us have such similar thoughts. The moment of doubt that pops up somewhere between halfway and three-quarters of the way through a race… Yep, that happens to all of us. Looking around at the start line to size up the competition… Yeah, another commonality. We are all cousins under the same tree. It’s surprising, then, that we often we feel as though we’re the only ones with these thoughts, feelings, and worries. If we actually confessed the things that go through our heads during races and training runs, I think we'd be amazed at how many "fit" each of us.

I recently found a great list Amy Marxkors wrote last year on this very topic. Check out Amy's list here. I wrote my own list below. Add your confessions to the comment section. We can see just how much we actually have in common!

Runner's Confessions

“Why did I sign up for this again?” is a recurring question.

I have more workout clothes than dress clothes.

I judge other runners by their shoes.

Having a good workout always puts me into an awesome mood… and inspires me to eat 2000 calories worth of junk food.

I collect Chap Stick at every race.

I hope I poop at home before I head to the race.

My wallpaper boarder is race numbers.

I secretly root for a thunderstorm to "rain" out my hard track workout.

Most races courses are a little “long.”

Chafing makes me dread showers.

I love my training partners.

I hate my training partners.

“Do a marathon,” they said. “It'll be fun,” they said. #$&%!

My feet look so bad I have to give myself a pedicure before I can go get a pedicure.

I surf weather reports until I find a forecast I like.

My sports bra tan line is now a sports bra tattoo.

I often think my Garmin is wrong.

I never remember hills being so big.

People who put a hill at the finish line deserve a special sort of punishment.

Don’t yell “Almost there!” when I’m not almost there.

Foam rolling hurts.

I flex my leg muscles as I walk by a mirror.

I have to touch the sign at my turnaround point.

Training plans are amazing at the beginning and stupid halfway through.

I love they feel of new shoes.

I hate when they change my favorite shoe.

A minute rest seems three times shorter than a minute running.

In the summer, I don’t sweat. I melt.

Whenever I trip over a sidewalk crack, I look around to make sure no one saw me.

When I run with someone I haven’t run with before, I go faster to impress him/her.

I always come back from a run with dirt marks on my calves because I kick myself.

I thought running on the beach would be relaxing. I was wrong.

Pain is temporary, but my finish time posted on the internet is forever.

I can’t go out tonight. I have a long run in the morning.

The wind always shows up when I’m supposed to run intervals.

I get sick at the most inopportune times.

I eat the weirdest combinations of foods.

I only needed to pick up my race bib. I came home with new shoes, GU, socks, and another sling bag.

I hate running, but I hate not running more.

Good Luck and Happy Racing!
Coach Cary

Tim Cary is FLEET FEET's Assistant Training Manager, coach of the FLEET FEET-sponsored Runnababez Elite team, and manager of the FLEET FEET Racing Team.  Over his 20 years of coaching, Tim has coached athletes to three national team championships, five national individual championships, two national records, and numerous All-American and All-State honors.  Click here to receive Tim's weekly article via email.