Patrick Concepcion, aka the RunningShield, posted a list of statements that determine whether you are a runner or not. It’s like an alcoholics anonymous checklist… Hehe Pat, thanks for coming up with this list… these are the statements that apply to me.

I’m a runner because…

TRAVEL
You Know You’re A Runner…
· when the drive to the race is longer than the race itself.
· when you can measure distances to and from a place because you’ve either tried running that route or you intentionally measure it or you can measure everything from you house. ie. My house to UP (25km), to Makati (8km), to Alabang or Rockwell (15km).
· when you realize that all the traveling you did in the last year revolved around races.
· when you get back from vacation and the first thing you tell people about is how the running was.

NUTRITION
You Know You’re A Runner…
· when all your friends think you eat too healthy.
· when the sports drinks are in front of the soda, beer, and juice in your fridge. (or avoid soda and beer altogether)
· 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… or are hungry after every 2-3 hours.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS
You Know You’re A Runner…
· 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 you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.
· when you try to convince people to run a 5k because it’s “only” three miles.
t people who tell you that you run too much or are crazy for enjoying a run.

INJURIES
You know You’re A Runner…
· when you know how to correctly pronounce plantar fasciitis.
· when there are permanent blood stains on your T-shirts where your nipples were rubbed raw.
· when it hurts worse to take a shower than it does to keep running.
· when your physical or massage therapist is on speed dial.

CLOTHES
You know You’re A Runner…
· when your socks come in two categories: running socks and others.
· when you go from having a drawer for your running clothes to having an entire bureau.
· when you are constantly washing running clothes but have to go through piles of clothes on the floor to find something to wear to work each morning. when you have to explain to everyone why you can’t run in the T-shirts you get at races

For the entire list click here.