Finally feeling like a "real" runner.

In April, when I made the decision to sign up for a mud run and a 5k trail run, I thought I would just be "giving this running thing a try" to see what it's like.  I signed up for the mud run first because I wasn't too keen on "just running" for three miles, and figured I'd be more likely to enjoy training if I had reason to really mix things up a bit.

Then I caught the bug.

My mud run, the Zombie Run: Extreme, was an absolute blast.  I'll post an "archive" race recap about it sometime soon, but for now suffice to say it ROCKED!  A week later, my first Muddy Monk trail run gave me additional confidence, especially for "just running" events.  And after that, I was hooked.

So far this year, I've done two mud runs, a wacky obstacle course, a color run, a trail run, and two timed 5k races.  By the end of October, I will have a total of (at least) 13 races under my belt - possibly more, as my September schedule is looking a little thin and I'm considering adding at least one more event.  As I registered for multiple future events, I thought to myself, "Surely after I finish all of these, I'll finally feel like a real runner."

Turns out, I don't even have to finish those races to finally feel like I have earned the "runner" label.  I know, I know, "once you switch from walking to running, you become a runner," blah blah blah.  We all know that feels true in name only, not in essence - you do really have to earn the title, if not for others' sake, certainly for your own.  This morning I realized I already have earned that title.  What made me come to this epiphany?  Flipping through running posts, I saw my hundredth "Tips for Your First 5k" post, and I quickly passed it by, thinking to myself that I no longer need those tips, that I am no longer a beginner and I know what is ahead of me.  Heck, I'm not even limiting myself to just 5k races anymore!

A few seconds after passing the post, it hit me: I am now, mind and body, a runner.

Ready to RUN!  That's me in the purple ;)

What was your "I am a runner" moment?  I'd love to hear about it!