You Are a Runner—No Matter Your Pace

I've lost count of how many times I've heard someone say, "I'm not a real runner." Maybe they just started running, maybe they take walk breaks, or maybe they're not hitting the paces they think qualify them as "real." But here's the truth—if you lace up, step out, and put in the effort, you are a runner. No debate, no qualifiers, no exceptions.

Bart Yasso, a legend in the running community, put it perfectly: "We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner." That line has stuck with me because it gets to the heart of something so many people struggle with—this idea that running has some kind of entrance exam or performance standard. It doesn't.

Runners Come in All Forms

I've seen runners who can glide through a marathon like it's nothing and others who fight for every step of a mile. I've run alongside beginners who question if they belong and seasoned athletes who still battle self-doubt. The truth is, running isn't about pace, distance, or finishing times—it's about the act itself.

A runner isn't defined by their speed or the races they've completed. A runner is someone who shows up. Someone who pushes through when it's hard, who gets out the door even when motivation is low. A runner is someone who finds joy, struggle, and growth in the simple act of moving forward.

Breaking the "Real Runner" Myth

So, what does it mean to be a "real" runner? Does it mean you have to break a certain pace? Run a specific number of miles per week? Have a medal collection from major races? Absolutely not. The only requirement for being a runner is running.

There's a misconception that struggling makes you less of a runner. That if you take walk breaks, you're somehow "faking" it. That if you don't post impressive stats on Strava, you're not serious. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I've had seasons where I was fast and felt strong. I've had seasons where I was coming back from injury, struggling to finish short runs. I was a runner in both of those seasons, just as much as I was when I first started running over four decades ago.

Run Your Own Race

Comparison is a dangerous trap. There will always be someone faster, someone running longer distances, someone posting eye-popping workouts. But their journey has nothing to do with yours.

The beauty of running is that it's personal. Your goals, your progress, your wins—they belong to you. Whether you're chasing a sub-20 5K or just trying to make it around the block without stopping, your effort is what makes you a runner.

Owning the Title

If you've ever hesitated to call yourself a runner, stop. You don't need permission, and you don't need to check off some imaginary list of achievements. If you're out there, putting one foot in front of the other, you belong.

So the next time you hear someone say, "I'm not a real runner," remind them of this: There is no such thing as a fake runner. If you run, you're a runner. End of story.

Keep moving forward!

J.R.