Wednesday, August 05, 2009

How Runner Are You?

How much does being a runner influence your day to day life? I was thinking about this when, a few weeks ago, I decided to cut my hair. It was below my shoulders (which is Crystal Gayle levels of long for me) and getting a bit scraggly. The very first thing I said to the stylist was, "I'm a runner - how much can you cut off for me to still be able to have a ponytail?" And anytime I get a pedicure (admittedly rare), I make sure I tell the aesthetician, before she so much as fills the foot bath, that I am a runner and she'd best not mess with my calluses.

On the other hand, I rarely dress like a runner unless I'm actually running. And by "dress like a runner," I don't mean "wear a singlet and tights to the grocery store." I mean, there are people who I can immediately peg as runners even when they are in their civilian garb. That is because that civilian garb consists of race t-shirts with jeans or shorts and an old pair of running shoes. I don't do that (at least not very often). To prove my point: when I'm not wearing running shoes, I am usually wearing heels.

What about you? How runner are you?

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Great post. Just last night I was telling my husband I needed a haircut cause my pony tail was getting where it hits my neck when I run.

I doubt anyone pegs me as a runner though...and probably when they see me run, they still think, "good for her, trying to get in shape." LOL. But I do have a good stash of race shirts to choose from when I want to mow the yard.

Unknown said...

YES! This is me too, once again I really relate with the shoe thing! I really never wear running shoes unless I'm running, I too give "the speech" to the lady giving me my pedicure and I'm fighting the urge to cut my mid-back hair because it's so hot when I'm running.

HOWEVER, I'm always thinking about running...

Kristin said...

That was pretty funny. I cut my hair last summer, so had to learn to live without my ponytail...it was a sacrifice, but I love my haircut, so I just wear a hat for running. I'll admit to wearing race shirts and shorts (or yoga pants in cooler weather) for hanging out, but I rarely wear running shoes except for running. Usually sandals in the summer (and sometimes in the winter). But even non-running clothes have running connotations to me... for example, I'm wearing a very cute Tribal jacket today, but I think of it as the jacket I bought in Maine when I was there for the Half Marathon last fall, and I was wearing it when I met Kathrine Switzer at the race expo (I have pictures). :)

Aileen said...

See, when I get pedicures, the lady always looks at the blisters and I have to say, "Would you mind just working around those? Thanks!"

Teamarcia said...

I did EXACTLY the same thing at my last haircut: I said "just leave me enough for a ponytail." Sadly she ended up leaving me a horse tail.
I won't even entertain the thought of a pedi--too risky.
And pretty much flip-flops when I'm not running, although my fugly toenail probably gives me away.

RunnerMom said...

I'm soooo runner, it's sad. My toenails haven't seen a pedicurist since I lost three of them in the marathon and they grew in funky. I'm just too embarassed. I do wear open toed sandals, but I just hope no one looks down.

I have lots and lots of hoodies and wear them regularly when not running. I do have "normal" clothes, too, but only one dress and two pair of heels (each of which I've worn exactly once). I feel dressed up in a pair of dark jeans and a cute, form-fitting t-shirt. I occasionally put in earrings (maybe once a week) or wear other jewelry.

X-Country2 said...

I'm the exact same heels/running shoes kind of way. I rarely wear race shirts outsid the house. Cute tops only. :o)

Unknown said...

Hmmm... does wearing my Boston jacket over an evening dress peg me as a runner? :)

Lisa said...

I hear you about the pedicure. The place I go tries to upsell you on everything. "Do you want the callous treatment?" "No way!" Hey... it is win-win for me. I save money and the few callouses I have stay to protect me from blisters. Woo hoo.

I am RARELY in anything that is not fitness related (shorts, tanks etc.) If I am not in running shoes, it is flip flops. My kids know that if I put on dressier clothes, I'm going out.

I recently gave up my pony tail, but a hat/visor works nicely.