You Know You're A Runner...

Travel

• when the drive to the race is longer than the race itself.
• when you keep your family updated on how far you are from your destination by saying, "There's only 10k until Grandma's house"--and everyone knows how far that is.
• when you run to your gate at the airport even though you aren't late or wearing running shoes.
• when your idea of sightseeing involves visiting the local running store and finding the best place for hill repeats and long runs.
• when you get off an 18-hour flight and go for your long run because a) you need to stretch your legs, b) you want to see the city/country, and c) you have a already scheduled run.
• when you realize that all the traveling you did in the last year revolved around races.
• when, on trips, you find it entertaining to see how fast you can convert speeds and distances from miles to kilometers and vice versa.
• you avoid traveling to places where you won't be able to run.
• when you get back from vacation and the first thing you tell people about is how the running was.
• when you fly with your running clothes and shoes in your carry-on bag.

Nutrition

• when all your friends think you eat too healthy.
• when you not only eat gels, but you know the best flavors of every brand.
• when you consider pasta a food group.
• when the sports drinks are in front of the soda, beer, and juice in your fridge.
• when you know the name of all the checkers at your local health food store.
• when you have two eggs, two pieces of toast, a slice of cheese, a glass of juice, and a yogurt for breakfast and are hungry again by 11:00 a.m.
• when you drink your least favorite kind of sports drink because you know it is what will be handed out at waterstops at your next race and you want your body to be accustomed to it.
• when pasta is the only food you'll eat two nights before a race.

Family and Friends

• when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast (twice) before your family/roommates even wake up.
• when your family knows that you will run on Thanksgiving and Christmas (or other holidays you celebrate) no matter what.
• when your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts because they know it for sure.
• when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major holidays, but never the date of your next race.
• when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your (non-running) family and friends about something other than running.
• when your family plans vacations based on where your next marathon will be.
• when your non-running family and friends know the differences between feet that are neutral, over-pronating, and supinating.
• when you run so much that your family has a separate laundry basket for your running clothes.
• when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but rather ask you when.
• when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.
• when you call four miles an easy day.
• when you try to convince people to run a 5k because it's "only" three miles.
• when you no longer have to explain to your friends why cotton isn't the best choice for running attire.
• when you come back after an hour-long run and your spouse says, "That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon."
• when you smirk at people who tell you that you run too much or are crazy for enjoying a run.