300 - "This...Is...Sparta!!!"

This..Is...Sparta!

OK, it's not Sparta, It's Edinburgh, but still...300!

Today I hit the landmark of 300 days of consecutive running.  I celebrated in the only way I know how – by running to Old Chain Pier in Leith.  This was the site of the celebration for day 50 which seems like a very long time ago now.  About 250 days ago I suppose!  Today is also Rachel’s birthday so it was a double celebration.  

I was recently asked, “So is that you a runner now?”. Good question.  What makes one a “runner”?  Well I’ve had a think about it, and apart from running every day for 300 days and covering a total distance of 2,176 kms (1,352 miles) during that time, apart from that I have decided that I am indeed a “runner” and this is the criteria I based the definition on.  

• I have a separate set of “running keys” that don’t jingle.
• I own 4 pairs of running shoes (5 if you include the Nike shoes that ruined my heel at Alloa – I don’t include them).  
• 2 of those pairs are identical.
• I have a box in which to keep race medals.
• I often wear a suit and a digital watch to work in the office (much to Kata’s chagrin).
• I know instinctively with a margin of error of less than 100m, how far 1km is. 
• Not only is spitting on the pavement acceptable, but snot-rocketing too!
• I’m a man and I wear tights out in public 
• I have often found myself outside in horizontal sleet wearing shorts and a t-shirt. 
• I randomly find safety pins in the washing machine.
• I often shower 2 or 3 times a day. 
• My biscuit tin is full of energy gels
• When buying shorts, the most important factor is the type and location of the pockets
• I constantly and to some greater or lesser degree, have a sore foot, ankle, calf, thigh, hip....
• And I keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer specifically for icing injuries.  
• When I’m not running, I am thinking about running, talking about running,  reading about running, or blogging about running. 
• I know that it’s 3.47km to the park unless I go via the river path then it’s 4.18km. 

I think that’s conclusive.  If maybe 3 or more of these criteria apply to you, and you aren’t currently institutionalised under The Mental Health Act, then you are probably a runner too!

These people are all runners.