9 Odd Habits Of Runners We Have All Seen
What initially seemed wacky becomes very normal, very quickly.
Runners pick up weird habits through the years.
Your everyday conversations are peppered with words like fartlek, bib, hill work, and PB. Sleep isn’t only fun but a recovery session, bananas and beer are well earned at the end of a race and a bathroom break is a chance to check on your hydration.
But there is safety in numbers; these idiosyncrasies are not unique to you. We are a group of odd birds that flock together.
After running for twenty years, I too have developed some odd rituals along the way.
From one runner to another, here is a list of habits we develop because we run.
1. We Wake Up At Crazy Hours
Runners will wake up at what others consider crazy hours to get their run in before work. It is not unusual for runners to wake up at 4 am to complete a run, beat the heat, or just get it over with.
2. We Dress Up Like The Rainbow
When it comes to running apparel, runners pull out all the colours. From bright yellow with pink accents, screaming green with blue highlights, runners have no hang-ups when it comes to colour coordination. It seems the brighter the better, and while it’s technically safer when running out on the road, we all know we think we’re cooler when we can be seen from a mile away.
3. We Take Care Of Business Before We Leave The House
Nobody wants to be caught thirty minutes away on a training run when “duty” calls. The urge to take care of business can be an obsession with runners- each of us has our go-to morning regimen before we lace up and head out the door.
4. We Enter Cafes In Sweaty Gear
The endorphin high can mask many things including the strong odour you are giving off. So you walk into a café post-run and order your favourite latte oblivious of the discomfort of the other customers.
5. We Discuss Bodily Fluids With Zest
What colour is your pee? When do you poop: the night before or the morning of the race? Do you suffer from pre-race constipation? Runners talk about what goes on behind closed doors with zero shame and a lot of enthusiasm. You cannot escape it; to us, these discussions are an integral part of our running life.
6. We Have More Workout Gear Than Office Clothes
We run every day; sometimes twice a day plus the gear was on sale. Runners own more shoes than fashion bloggers, more tech than the general public knows about, and let’s not talk about our socks. When it comes to workout gear; most runners have quite a collection.
7. We Sacrificed Good Hair Days
We surrendered certain vanities when we became runners. We know that disappearing for a lunch-hour run means we will come back looking different. So we embrace the red-faced glow and sweaty hair knowing they are proof we have clocked in some kilometres over our break.
8. We Do Some Gross Things
We blow snot rockets, spit on the sidewalks, and dive into housework while still sweaty post-run. Through the years of running, we develop full acceptance of our bodily excretions and fail to notice the reaction of those around us.
9. We Are Committed To Running
Most runners have recurring habits and traits that might look strange to the outside world.
Yes, we run almost every day. Yes, we do it in challenging weather. YES, we get up before dawn to run! Yes, sometimes we run twice a day.
When it comes to running, our commitment is steadfast.
I cry on the inside when people get shocked that I run most days. Because when you have been running for as long as I have, you build momentum and it takes more motivation to stop than to keep going.
Running becomes more than a weight-loss strategy; it becomes a need.
We are a community; we are members of an exclusive club where everyone is welcome if they are willing to pay the dues. We pride ourselves on our slightly crazy behaviour and obsession for choking up the miles.
What weird, gross, or wacky thing do you do when you run? Share in the response section.
As always, thanks for reading. Keep the comments and corrections coming.
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