Truly a runner?

Last night as I was taking the elevator down to leave work, a lady gets on at one floor. She is pretty, thin, stylishly dressed, wearing make-up and these really cool high heels (the skinny kind). She says "I love your running clothes!" I say "Thanks", but am thinking "Wow, I am never put together like that even when I try" (which I don't all that often these days - I'm lucky to be clean).

As I follow her to the garage, I watch her impeccable high heel walking style. Due to feet issues from running, I haven't worn real high heels in years. She turns around and says "How far are you running tonight?" I say, "7-8 miles". She then tells me that she recently went on a low-carb, low refined sugar, high protein diet coupled with running with the result of losing 48 POUNDS IN 7 WEEKS. Holy crap! Now, while I wouldn't recommend losing weight so fast, that is awfully impressive. Maybe that is why she wears all the fun clothes and high heels. Why wouldn't you if you'd had such an accomplishment?

Anyway, so I tell her that she looks fabulous and I really meant it. Her reply was "Thanks, but I wish I looked like you. You can really tell that you are a runner." Now, I laughed at that. Sure, I was dressed the part, but I don't really consider myself a runner. An athlete? Sure A triathlete? Most of the time. But not a runner. Unlike TriSara and E-Speed, I don't heart running. I think it is because of this stupid leg. Regardless, it was a very nice thing of her to say.

When I went to run with Tim and E-speed last night, I told them this story. They both said they think of me as a runner and commented on how much I've improved in the last year. That is high praise from two very talented athletes. So, I guess I'll call myself a runner from now on. I just hope the leg holds out, so I can back it up with actual running.