Call me a runner, not a jogger

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September 16, 2009

Anonymous The Zope Gazette Wed Sep 16, 2009, 07:56 PM CDT

THE VIEW FROM HERE

By Jim Hardin

I'm a runner.

It's amazing how that very simple statement would draw so many comments from my friends.

The response would be something like this: “Jim, I've seen you run. If that's running, then. . .

I'm not going to list the variety of ways they would finish that sentence, but let me assure you that encouraging words were nowhere to be found.

I finally decided that I had to beat my friends to the punch. I stuck with my runner statement, but I quickly added a clarification: “Actually, I'm a jogger. I say I'm a runner because running sounds faster than jogging.”

Most of my friends appeared pleased with my explanation, and I was too for awhile. But I think it was wife Becky, the ultimate encourager, who noticed that I was understating my extreme physical effort.

“Runner's World” magazine provided evidence that supported Becky's opinion.

I read somewhere in the magazine several years ago that runners make sacrifices. If you sacrifice nothing, then you're a jogger.

That's it. I definitely am a runner because of all the sacrifices I've made over 25 years of running — heat, cold, rain, wind, hills, pain (arthritis in my left foot, sometimes plantar fascitis in my right foot) and dogs. Yes, and sometimes even people.

“Runner's World” provided another illustration to support my running claim: The difference between a runner and jogger is an entry form. Runners sign up for races.

I have run in many races, and I have a collection of trophies and medals in my home office to prove I've had some success. Here's some more quick clarification. I've never won a race, but I've placed first, second or third in my age division in some 5k and 10k races.

I remember how excited I was when I earned my initial first place trophy in a 5k race. I was competing in the Gladewater Gusher Days 5k Gusher Gallop. Yep, walked away (actually ran away) with the first place trophy in the 55-59 age group.

Friends, family and coworkers were impressed. . . for a few seconds. For some strange reason, they started asking, “And how many runners were in your age division?” The truth. One. Me.

I've actually won medals and trophies in races that featured more than one runner in my age division. Locally, I placed second in the 60-64 age group in this year's Caddo Mills 5k Fox Trot. And last year, I was runner-up in my age group in the Stick Robinson Memorial Fun Run in Royse City. Police Chief Tom Shelton finished ahead of me in my age division. He is a real runner. No clarification or explanation is needed for the police chief.

What's next? Well, my neighbors in the Woodland Creek subdivision in Royse City will continue to see me running five days a week — every day except Tuesday and Saturday. Running through the subdivision has been great for conditioning, but it also has been a great way to establish a hand-wave or “hello” relationship with my neighbors.

I'm training to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles) in Dallas on Nov. 1 and my very first full marathon — Dallas White Rock Marathon — on my 62nd birthday in December. I ran the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon last year and vowed to do the full marathon this year.

But first things first.

If you want to see some real runners close to home, come watch or even participate in the annual Stick Robinson Memorial Fun Run scheduled in Royse City on Oct. 17. The run is part of the 20th annual FunFest hosted by the Royse City Chamber of Commerce.

Yes, I'll be there and, no, my goal is not to win another trophy. If I do, fine, but here are some personal goals that are really a little more important to me:

Finish the race;

Don't be last;

Don't walk;

Don't get sick;

Don't die.

So far, I've accomplished all my goals.

Hardin is a Herald-Banner staff reporter

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