You Know How I Know You’re a Runner?

Yesterday I decided I could officially call myself a runner.

I’ve been running consistently for almost a year, I’ve run a half marathon, and I’ve said the words, “that felt good” plenty a time after a four mile run.  But yesterday, oh yesterday, I wore runner leggings!

That’s right, the long, spandex leggings put me over the edge.  I had stayed away from wearing them for a multitude of reasons, my butt being the biggest reason (hmm).  I always thought they looked silly but they were really comfortable and kept me real warm on the below 40 degree day.

I also think I wanted to be the part before I played the part.  Plus I never had enough money to buy the best supplies/equipment for everything I wanted to be when I was little (a piano player, soccer, softball, hiking, hunting, fishing…) identity crisis’ can get expensive.

Sometimes I wonder if I still look like a basketball player when I play (two years retired).  Unfortunately every now and then I wear short runner shorts to basketball practice…. Oops.

It’s been about six months since the half marathon and I’ve really kept up the running.  I’ve found that it keeps me trim the most out of all the different workouts I’ve tried.  I still play basketball about once a week, lift weights sometimes, and do a fair amount of pushups but the running has stayed constant.

Before the training I honestly thought the half marathon would be it (I hated running, remember?) but it makes me feel good.

Now I’m a smiling runner in spandex, God help us all.

Danielle Clark

About Danielle Clark

I am 28 years old and for 5 years out of college I played basketball for a living. I was a professional basketball player in Europe so I spent most of my years there and came back to Maine for summers and a couple weeks at Christmas time. I thought my years there would open my eyes to what I want to be when I "grow up." That didn't happen. I have discovered, however, that I just have to try something. Just do things and toss myself into them. I have currently tossed myself into being a college basketball assistant coach and one on one reading tutor. I grew up in Corinna, Maine and have been a resident Mainer. I love sports, reading, writing, cooking, baking, watching movies... everything. I have lots of hobbies and not enough time in the day!