Joggers and Runners

[Adam]

This will be my first post and it has to do with what this site is about; real running. I am by no means an elitist and do not believe everyone who calls themselves a runner is required to run at a sub 5 pace (I certainly don't), but I do believe there is a difference between joggers and runners that only those dedicated to the sport can see.

Runners jog. Joggers run. I can say those two things are true. However, I think the thing that separates joggers and runners is an ideology. I define joggers as wannabes who get out and jog a few miles easy because to keep fit and get off their asses. Nothing wrong with this. They just don't understand a few things about running that I believe are essential to anyone who calls themselves a runner.

-You were meant to run. If you have the ability to do so, you should count it as a blessing.

-Running is not a chore. It is not a punishment. It is the best part of your day.

-Competition and socialization is why you go to races. Let's face it, you could mark a course in your neighborhood and run it, but you still go to the road races to see friends and to challenge yourself as well as others. There's nothing like the feeling of that kick at the end as you pull away from that one guy who has been tailing you for the last 2 miles.

-You are always in training. Even if you have an easy day or an off day, you're still preparing for the next race, even if you don't know when it will be.

-There is a whole other world of fashion in the running community. You know you love buying those shirts and shorts and shoes. There has been a moment when you saw a pair of shorts that looked awesome and were perfect for running in.

-The general population may not of heard of Prefontaine or Kastor or even Bill Bowerman, but you know who they are. The history and the legends of running are inspirational.

-Running isn't always physical. There have been times when you have lost yourself in a run. I have even used my morning runs to pray for strength for the day ahead.

-You may not be a braggart, but you have pride. Nothing sounds sweeter than the disbelief of your friends after you've told them that you ran 15 miles this weekend...and you're doing 20 next weekend!

Running, to me, is about your attitude just as much as it is your talent or training. You push yourself to the limit and you want to go further. Runners come from all types of backgrounds and we can all share in this single obsession that is our sport and our way of life.

Thanks for reading and I hope you've gotten something out of this.

[Jeff Jones]

I think for runners, running is the end. For joggers, jogging is the means to the end; getting in shape, losing a few pounds, whatever. The joggers might do something else once they reach that end, or cut back so they can just maintain what they have. Runner run just because they love it. They don't need to achieve anything else through it. Sure, most runner have goals, but once the goal is reached we don't stop running or get half-hearted about it. You keep going because that's who you are.

[Monica]

This is the perfect desription of running v. jogging! I agree with everything you've said. I think that runners have a bond that joggers would never understand... I remember going on a run around campus when it started pouring outside. Everyone ran into the buildings to keep from getting wet, except for me and the other runners who knowingly smiled and waved as we passed each other. And sure enough, when I got back to my dorm all of my friends lectured me on how running in the rain for an hour was ridiculous, but me and the runners I passed understood how it was not ridiculous at all