Are you a runner?

At the 2017 Peachtree Roadrace I found myself talking to a woman in my corral about racing. As the conversation meandered through the various races that she or I had run, she asked, "Are you a runner?"

In the micro-second before my answer, many options came to mind:

• Yes, or at least I pretend to be one
• Yes, but I'm not as fast as I want to be
• Yes, and I've earned that title over many miles -- both walked and run

But when I opened my mouth, I said, "No. Not really. Though I've done a lot of races." I was taken aback by my own answer. 

Growing up, I was not at all athletic. I wouldn't even say that I was healthy. I knew nothing about taking care of myself, and when I got older, that started taking a toll. I started running as a way to show myself that I could do hard things. To find my own strength. But then, after many races, I just stopped. Running got hard. Life got busy. The miles got frustrating. And there wasn't that voice inside me that pushed me to push myself. 

My health, which, to be honest, was likely very fragile to begin with, got worse. My joints started bothering me. I was tired all the time. My sinuses went into freakout mode. I used all of this as an excuse not to get my running shoes on and to head out the door.

But - and here's the truth - I actually miss it A LOT. So, I've decided to become a runner again. This is my journey. This is my path. Shoes on. Door open. Time to hit the pavement.