Choose Your Own Punctuation
I am a runner ( . / ? / ... / ! )
(.) I am a runner.
I haven't looked it up, but I think the definition of "runner" probably resembles the phrase "One who runs." I think by that definition, I am indeed a runner. There is running in my past and even the not-too-distant-past-but-in-order-to-be-technically-accurate-it-can't-be-called-the-present-as-I'm-not-typing-this-mid-run time frame. If everything goes according to plan, there will also be running in my future.
(?) I am a runner?
This is what it has felt like lately. Getting on one of these training programs where you run six days a week for half a year makes me question my runner-ness after that stuff is all over, during the down time. Of course, my "down time" for the past couple months has been exceptionally down. I took a week off after the Marathon to just enjoy the act of not running for a while. I actually didn't enjoy it that much. Then I ran a few times during the following weeks, but mostly just easy, short runs. Then I had a self-imposed injury which prevented running for almost 2 weeks. Somewhere during that time period (mid-December), I was told that I was dangerously close to being "that guy who used to run all the time" (apparently I am "that guy who is always running"). I recovered, and one or two runs later, I developed my biannual "kill me now" sinus infection - the kind where you start to wonder if cutting off your own face will bring you some kind of relief. I wasn't even thinking about running much during that time. I ran once, when I felt a little better. Then I went on vacation and got incredibly lazy. I'm over that now. Despite the chain of stutter starts to get back into a regular routine, I'd probably still fit into that definition above.
(...) I am a runner...
...but... NO BUTTS! (never had one, probably never will)
(!) I am a runner!
I am finally getting back on the horse! No, wait... can't get on the horse... gotta run. Uhhh... I'm back to running a few times a week, and getting closer to a regular pattern again. Even the cold and rain is not deterring me, so I think it is safe to say that I'm ramping back up. I can see the Austin half looming up ahead. I ought to start thinking about what happens after that and get a few other things lines up to keep me on track. But at least for the moment I'm excited... I'm running again! (Yes, as established earlier, this is "running" in the nearly-present sense.)
(.) I am a runner.
I haven't looked it up, but I think the definition of "runner" probably resembles the phrase "One who runs." I think by that definition, I am indeed a runner. There is running in my past and even the not-too-distant-past-but-in-order-to-be-technically-accurate-it-can't-be-called-the-present-as-I'm-not-typing-this-mid-run time frame. If everything goes according to plan, there will also be running in my future.
(?) I am a runner?
This is what it has felt like lately. Getting on one of these training programs where you run six days a week for half a year makes me question my runner-ness after that stuff is all over, during the down time. Of course, my "down time" for the past couple months has been exceptionally down. I took a week off after the Marathon to just enjoy the act of not running for a while. I actually didn't enjoy it that much. Then I ran a few times during the following weeks, but mostly just easy, short runs. Then I had a self-imposed injury which prevented running for almost 2 weeks. Somewhere during that time period (mid-December), I was told that I was dangerously close to being "that guy who used to run all the time" (apparently I am "that guy who is always running"). I recovered, and one or two runs later, I developed my biannual "kill me now" sinus infection - the kind where you start to wonder if cutting off your own face will bring you some kind of relief. I wasn't even thinking about running much during that time. I ran once, when I felt a little better. Then I went on vacation and got incredibly lazy. I'm over that now. Despite the chain of stutter starts to get back into a regular routine, I'd probably still fit into that definition above.
(...) I am a runner...
...but... NO BUTTS! (never had one, probably never will)
(!) I am a runner!
I am finally getting back on the horse! No, wait... can't get on the horse... gotta run. Uhhh... I'm back to running a few times a week, and getting closer to a regular pattern again. Even the cold and rain is not deterring me, so I think it is safe to say that I'm ramping back up. I can see the Austin half looming up ahead. I ought to start thinking about what happens after that and get a few other things lines up to keep me on track. But at least for the moment I'm excited... I'm running again! (Yes, as established earlier, this is "running" in the nearly-present sense.)