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You Know You're a Runner When...

By Christine Luff, About.com

Updated August 02, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Runners definitely share special bonds and sometimes have traits, habits, or idiosyncrasies that only other runners can understand. If you're a runner, you may be able to relate to or appreciate some of these descriptions.

You know you're a runner when...

  • your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, "When can I fit in my runs?"
  • you have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile.
  • you've lost a toenail. And you tell people, "It's not that bad."
  • you smirk when non-runners ask you, "So how long is this marathon?"
  • you have a drawer full of medals and other race souvenirs that you're not sure what to do with.
  • you go into Starbucks more often to use the bathroom than to actually buy coffee.
  • you no longer make fun of fanny packs because your running belt looks very similar (although cooler) to one.
  • you've used an old race T-shirt to wash your car, dust furniture, or clean something else.
  • your treadmill has more miles on it than your car.
  • you get an invitation to a wedding and you automatically think about what race the date will conflict with.
  • you have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes.
  • you're not embarrassed to wear spandex.
  • the salespeople at your local running shop know you by name.
  • you're always hungry.
  • you know how to take a cup of water from a water stop without choking on it or spilling it all over yourself.
  • at least one of your web site usernames or email addresses has the word "run" or "runner" in it.
  • you know where your illiotibial band is located.
  • you no longer hate port-a-johns. In fact, there have been times when you've been very happy to see one.
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