Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Are you a runner or a jogger? That is the question.


I’ve heard a few times, “hey I saw you out jogging”. Incidentally one person in particular had seen me during a workout when I was “jogging” six-one mile repeats at 5:45 pace. Sure Mister, I was jogging. REALLY!?!

My cousin who has recently taken up road racing actually posed this as a subject for one of my blogs. I'm guessing since her training began she has been getting this question? Perhaps right after a tough run, thinking of a finger as she smiles and answers how many miles she "jogged"? 

It is interesting to hear people use the term jogging to describe what I affectionately refer to as running. I will admit I have jogged. I consider my pre-race warm-ups more of a jog as I am not doing anything too strenuous to warm up my muscles; just enough so that I am feeling fresh from the sound of the gun. I also consider it jogging when I am trying to keep the legs warm during a stop light in the Iowa winters. (By the way haven't these 90 degree plus temps been great?)

So what makes you a runner or a jogger? Perhaps it’s a personal judgment call? Whatever it is, I have to say I have lots of flutters in my heart for all of the people I see at road races. You are ALL winners and as far as I am concerned NO ONE comes in last! Even the last place person who may appear to the couch potatoes to be a jogger, still BEAT the couch potato. 

Feel free to honk or wave if you see me on the street. Please don’t ask me how my jogging is going or that you saw me jogging. Trust me, come along for a “jog” with me and I will set the record straight. Get your gait on and run or jog if you wish, I will be running. Will you be running or jogging that is the question…and how do you determine who is a runner and who is a jogger?