Sunday, February 6, 2011

53 Runners Commandments

I'm sure you've seen this list before.

I read it again recently, when it was posted on the message board of my running group.  The author is writer/publisher/ distance runner Joe Kelly. What I find particularly interesting about him, is that he's one of the organizers of the Boilermaker 15k, the largest 15k in the country. The Boilermaker is one of my favorite races, and I plan on running it again this summer, for the fifth year in a row. 

I can relate to several of these, like number 10, number 33, and number 38.

What about you?

The Runners Commandments

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.

2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.

3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.

4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.

5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.

6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.

7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.

8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.

9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.

10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.

11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.

12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.

13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.

14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.

15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.

16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.

17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.

18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.

19. Don’t always run alone.

20. Don’t always run with people.

21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.

22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.

23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.

24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.

25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.

26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.

27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.

28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.

29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.

30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.

31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.

32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.

33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.

34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.

35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.

36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.

37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.

38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.

39. Without goals, training has no purpose.

40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.

41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.

42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.

43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.

44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.

45. “Winning” means different things to different people.

46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.

47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.

48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.

49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.

50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.

51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.

52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.

53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

33 comments:

Laura said...

Love, love these! Am going to send it to our run group.

Christina said...

Great list!
I like #6, #11, #19, #20, and #53!
Happy Running.

Lisa said...

I try to do #38 - that way at least there is applause at the general time I'm going by . . . even though it's not for me, I can still think it is :)

I had never seen this list. Thanks for posting it.

Susan said...

#13 and #22 are my favorites! Thanks for the list!

Unknown said...

11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.

So true!!!

LB said...

love it, relate to most of them!!!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Loved it!

Amber said...

I love these, hate these and need to do these. Thanks for posting :)

Tortuga_Runner said...

Thank you so much, I had actually never read this before today.
My Favorites. My goal is to be more consistent.

2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

Staci said...

Having not done as well as expected in my first marathon, No.47 is very relevant to me - Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great. Thanks for the post

Anonymous said...

I never seen this list before. I can relate to a lot of them.

Kristin @NyceLife said...

Thanks for posting this! For a beginning runner, it's a great list (for everyone I suppose!). I am hoping 26 might be true today :)

abbi said...

Loved this and hadn't seen it, I like #10 as well.

Johann said...

I always enjoy these when I see them. Just read them all again and relate to so many. Thanks!

Erika said...

I love this list!!! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Love! Thanks for sharing :)

Shawn said...

yep....some great advice there for everybody

Love and Puppies, Christy said...

LOVE these. I'm stealing them. Don't be angry. :)

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Nice, I liked this, thanks for sharing

yonca said...

22 makes me feel better today:) Gotta keep saying this to myself!

kristen said...

This is fantastic. It's been a long time since I've seen this. Always a good list to look over every now and then!

Liz Mays said...

I'm not a runner, but these do make good sense, especially the last one!

misszippy said...

#30 made me laugh! Thanks for sharing these.

Runners Fuel said...

Love every single one of these!

Unknown said...

What a great list... I just read it to my husband! :)

Emz said...

fabulous list.

loved this.

My fav: Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated

Jill said...

These are always fun to read no matter how many times you read them! Thanks, Molly!

Jon (was) in Michigan said...

#15 - Ain't that the truth!

Amy said...

I've never seen these! Thank you for sharing! Number 11 is so true for me.

RunToTheFinish said...

i actually hadn't seen this list, thank you so much for posting it!!!

Anonymous said...

Being kind of new to running, I had never seen this before. I like it!

Megan said...

Love this! New follower, here. Thanks!

Fruit Fly said...

I haven't read this before. I love it!! Makes me wish I was running right now instead of working!