Yes, you're a 'real' runner

I meet so many people that tell me how much they love running then immediately follow it up with “...but I’m not a ‘real’ runner”. Let’s get one thing straight folks, if you’re out there pounding the trails and pavements week after week, month after month, you had better believe that you’re a REAL runner.

What makes a ‘real’ runner anyway? Comparing your mileage or time to other runners is not the way forward for boosting your morale or motivation. Create your own version of what a great run is - be it smashing your own PB or running a new route. Once you’ve reached it, celebrate! We’re each on our own path, so comparing yourself to others is not going to help your mindset. As our amazing trail running ambassador @byron.odonnell puts it so perfectly...

“Never compare yourself in a negative way to other runners. Obviously if you are racing this is slightly different, you will want to strive to be the best in your chosen event. But, if you are a recreational runner and you are out there for any other reason than standing atop a podium consider yourself equal. I speak to so many people who tell me that they've been for a run and my response would be "That's amazing!". More often than not though they will utter in a downtrodden way "Only 5k though, nothing like what you run" If someone has ran 5k, 10k, whatever distance and that 5k is the furthest they have ever ran, and those last few hundred metres were torture I have huge respect for them!”