I often use the term Real Runners. Yesterday’s column elicited an email from a faithful reader indicating such terminology was disparaging. I include here the actual quote:
“I read your column on the Trials Standards, and would like to know what a real athlete is. According to your column it is someone who is capable of running fast enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials. This would seem to indicate that everyone else isn’t a real athlete. Does that mean they aren’t real, perhaps made of plastic or wood. I think faster runners may be more talented athletes, but not the only Real Athletes. Sorry to be so harsh, but I see too many obese people in my practice and any activity should be praised. They may not be fast, but they are real athletes. Thank you for listening to my rant. ”
So, today I try and further explain the difference between Real Runners and real runners, a very fine distinction indeed.
‘Social runners’ are real runners. Getting out to enjoy the camaraderie of like minded individuals is one of the sweet spots of our sport.
‘General fitness’ runners are real runners. Those that get out and run to maintain weight, reduce stress, or deal with any myriad of health related problems that can be benefited by getting a casual run on.
“Aesthetic runners’ are real runners. Those that find it drudgery but still get out and push on to maintain a more attractive physique that is derived from endurance activities.
‘Nut job runners’ are real runners. Those that are so possessed by whatever harboured demons, only kept at bay during the absorptive or purging qualities that quell their mania.
Real Runners however are a different breed (although I do know many Real Runners that fall into the ‘Nut Job’ category, have occasionally been lumped into that subset myself).
Professional or aspiring professional athletes are Real Runners.
Athletes that bend themselves to tasks no mere real runner would dare tackle are Real Runners. Important to note here that neither talent nor ticks on a clock matter for this criteria.
Competitive athletes are Real Runners.
Champions are Real Runners.
We hear every day the human interest stories, the feel good moments, the inspirational overcoming of obstacles that real runners herald. I will always recognize those amazing stories.
But I will also always declare that Real Runners deserve their own special recognition and accolades. Those that have delved the deepest into themselves and into our sport. To say we are all the same is just so much political correctness being foisted on us by those that can’t or won’t understand or admit that some are by nature better than others. We all have our stories, let’s give credit and just a bit more praise to those that pursue excellence and human potential to its highest degree.
Let’s get Real.
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