Runners vs Joggers

OK...this has been a topic of conversation in numerous places I've been lately and yes, I know I shouldn't be bothered by it, what is in a name? But at the same time I think I've pinpointed why I'm bothered by it. See to me, a runner isn't someone running 5 minute miles, and a jogger isn't someone who is finishing a marathon in 6.5 hours. Speed has nothing to do with it. It's a part of who you are...it's the community you are part of. I'm a runner because I am out there most days of the week. I run when it's cold. I pass on staying up late and drinking because I have an early morning training run. I am out in the rain. It's an obsession. It's a love. It's a way of life for me. I don't really remember back to when I didn't run. I won't go a week without running because I feel a little "off" without it.

To me joggers are the hobby people. They will do it to lose weight, but they hate it. They will go out if it's nice out. They will do it when it's convenient, and it's not a big deal if they can't do it. They are happy when injured as it gives an excuse to not run.

For a runner, even the days we hate it, we still love it. When we are having a bad run, we look forward to the next time, because that might be a good one. When we are injured, we are couting the days till we can run again (and might be out there when we shoudn't be). It's a culture. It's a way of life...to be a runner...