Running is a mental sport, which means some days we have to play some mind games with ourselves. Other days we have to play mind games with our non-running friends to stay convinced we aren’t completely bonkers for getting up at 4AM on Saturday in the 30 degree weather to run for hours in the dark.
Because when you actually read that, well it sounds just a bit nutty. 
9 Lies Runners Love Telling
This isn’t to say we don’t usually mean all the things we tell you about why we love running. Runner’s high is real, the therapeutic release is real, the extra calories to eat more pizza are totally real.
But sometimes we might you know…exaggerate just a bit.
We Never Struggle with Motivation
Now I’m the first tell you that I really don’t…but that’s because I stopped relying on motivation eons ago. Now I have habits and routines that just make it too weird not to run. That doesn’t mean I always feel like it though after a night of rough sleep or a week of brain bending work and travel.
It Always Makes Us Feel Good
100% runners high is real and so are hard, crappy runs. I absolutely embrace the bad runs, now but that doesn’t mean my body is all like oh yea that was so great after I’ve pushed it through the first 20 miler of the year in the cold.
Running Isn’t Why We’re Injured
Technically it wasn’t running’s fault…it was because we refused to do anything else like yoga or injury prevention moves. Or in my case, I do all the pre-hab in the world and then come bombing down a trail and step in a hole. See it wasn’t running that hurt me, it was me running that hurt me.
We Run to Eat
It’s true, runners love to fantasize about food during our runs. We grab donuts after group runs. We enjoy our pre-long run pizza. But honestly, that’s just the silly side we talk about because it’s fun. Most of the time we focus on enjoying great nutrition because it allows us to run farther, faster and more often.
We Don’t Run to Eat
On the flip side, you’ve got the devote runners who would never ever deign to run an extra mile because last night was a birthday party where they housed two pieces of cake. Liars. They’re part of the group perpetuating the carbo-loading myth.
Weather Doesn’t Bother Us
Running in the crap weather makes us feel like rock stars – seriously if we don’t lie to ourselves about this we have 0 reason to do it. so we collect ice crystals on our lashes, get an epic smiling selfie and then try not to cry because that would seal our eyes shut.
We’re Never Doing That Again!!
Honestly, anything said at the end of a marathon should never be believed. Maybe you proposed and they said yes…I’d be concerned, you just can’t count on us to be in our right mind. Most frequently we will swear up and down that was our LAST marathon. Until we sign up for another one a month later.
You Get Used to the Early Mornings
While it is true that I now naturally wake up at the ridiculous hour of 5AM after so many years of running. Nothing about getting yourself out the door in the pitch black really doesn’t ever become super motivational.
If you are new to the morning routine, some tips to help!
We Don’t Really Care About the Numbers
Listen I run for me, not a race clock. But you bet, I’m running around the block to get my watch to a round number and when I start looking at my mileage total I can’t help but think “hmmm just a bit more and I’ll hit a new goal“. And at the end of the day, no matter how much I LOVE my long steady runs, I feel pretty euphoric when I crush a new PR.
Laugh a Little More at Yourself
Don’t worry I’ve got you covered with even more ways, we runners are a bit nutty.
- Hilarious running memes
- Thoughts Every Runner Has at the Start Line
- 26.2 Signs You’re a Distance Runner
What untruths might you have told about running?
Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram for ongoing motivation: RunToTheFinish
Facebook for all the chatter: RunToTheFinish
Pinterest for more running tips: RunToTheFinish
Nike Epic React Review: Softest Run Ever
Oh so much truth here!!! These are all right on the mark and the only thing I have let go of is having round numbers on my watch. Once I get back to the house, I am DONE!
So true! You made me laugh hard with a couple of these. And i love the one about mommy running past the house…i do this all the time :)
LOL to the last meme, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done a loop or two around the cul-de-sac to finish out my mileage!
Maybe I’m the only weirdo who leaves her Garmin hanging with crazy odd distances. But for sure I am NEVER doing another marathon or a triathlon. Yep….done….maybe…hahaha!
Uh, yep. I will totally run laps in my driveway if I’m thisclose to hitting that mile mark. If it’s more than a 1/4 mile, well….it all depends. If it’s raining and cold, I’m likely to say screw it because I’ve already been that bad weather running rock star and now I’m over it! haha!
I’m an early morning person. Most days I’m out of bed between 4-5 am. And I don’t work!
What I’m not? An early morning runner. Because I don’t work. :) But my friends tend to be — not super early, really, but just earlier than I want to be up & out the door. It’s always something. :)
That’s so funny!! I wake up early and even though I make my own schedule, it’s just such a habit I need to run!
My biggest lie was when I trained for my first marathon…I said it would be “One and Done.” That was seven marathons ago (two of which were ultras). Just knowing I can run that far makes me want to keep doing it (within reason).
haaaaa I think we’ve all done that
Haha! This is awesome ;) I’m pretty sure I’ve told every one of these at one time. I definitely lie when I say I don’t care how fast or slow I go —> even now I still want to be faster than the last time.
So many true points here. This also made me chuckle!
I definitely run to eat. Yesterday I ran 14 miles just to not feel guilty eating a shamrock shake….haha.
Hahahahaha so true! Especially the part about lying to ourselves about the weather! I do that every summer here in Florida!
This is perfect, I love it! I always try to explain to new runners that I am absolutely NOT “motivated” every time I run, but I make myself go because of an end goal (and tomorrow will always be better too). Thanks!