25 Runner Quirks We Don't Realize are Super Weird

It’s time once again for another episode of funny runner moments. This is my ongoing reminder that what we’re doing just isn’t that serious and taking a moment to laugh at ourselves is often the best way to stay in love with our crazy sport.

weird runner

A few of the past reminders that we’re a little nutty:

25 Funny Runner Quirks

One of the most peculiar things about running is that things which initially seem strange or odd become very normal, very quickly.

Soon we don’t even realize that the outside world is thinking we’re very odd birds. But that’s ok, we’re a group of odd birds that flock together. Let me know what I’m missing from this list.

1. Throw Away Clothes

We’ll sacrifice expensive sweaters we’ve worn a few times to the start line “throw away pile”, but fight tooth and nail for the running shoes that have long since passed their prime. Listen those shoes know us. They understand us. Maybe someday we will indeed NEED them again.

So just in case we keep them…and keep them…and keep them.

2.Never Not Running

We spiral and assume Dr Google is correct about the seriousness of an injury. Yet ignore all advice to not run. I see here it says that I might be dying. In that case, I might as well run because what’s the harm.

Logical.

3. Socks

Getting really excited about expensive socks is a right of passage. You go from being angry at the pack of cotton tube socks for Christmas to elated that you now received ONE pair for 3x price.

A single experience with a blister and you’ll never look at your socks the same.

4. Post Run Buzz

Diving right in to things like housework or answering emails while still sweaty post run because we’re feeling energized and ready to go. I’ve never once thought to myself I can’t wait to get up and pull some weeds today!!

But after a long weekend run, I’m not quite ready to call it a day. I’ll happy spend more time outside bent over and getting an ache in my lower back because….endorphins.

5.Internal GPS

Learning to navigate new cities without Google maps because we’ve run around and found landmarks.

We keep saying there is not better way to explore than on foot and here is why! We’re never lost. We remember passing that place earlier or had to take stock of our surroundings to make sure we made it back to the hotel and boom we’re the defacto guide for the group now.

6.Our Spandex Wardrobe

Having more pairs of black leggings than pants for work is pretty standard. Fine maybe they aren’t so much spandex anymore, but they are stretchy and comfy and OMG why are you forcing me to put on these stiff uncomfortable jeans?!

7.Runcations Only

Planning vacations around running…often running a really long distance, so that we’ll need time to sit and recover. I swear it doesn’t start out this way. But there is a tipping point where we start to use running as an excuse to take more trips.

Funny story. We don’t actually need an excuse! marathon funny

8. Soreness Badge of Honor

Living in a state of slight soreness for months on end and NOT popping pills to mask it.

We see your tired shoulder from shoveling and raise you 18 miles running in the snow.

9.My Injury Beats Your Injury

Competitive with other runners about the level of our injuries. As a coach, I’m going to say it’s not our most flattering quality. But did I tell you about the time that I needed knee surgery because of a trampoline park? Oh I did, in my book? Well good.

10. Acknowledgements

Waving or nodding at people we pass on the streets seems absolutely like a MUST to us. Yet, for years I’ve noticed that walkers seem taken aback at our attention and cyclists can’t be bothered.

We’re moving at just the right pace to say hi and then never see you again.

11. Fashion Disasters

Wearing neon colors for a normal mid-week workout and feeling pretty stoked about it. Honestly, we wear so many things that would horrify those who truly understand fashion…and we love it. race shirts

And a few more to make you say…oh yup that’s me too.

12. We know that putting band aids on your nipples is a sign of brilliance to avoid runner’s nipple. And yes, we participate in a sport where that too is not weird at all to us. Other sports also get bloody, just usually from contact with another human and not a shirt.

13. We love to talk about our healthy lifestyle and our equal love of cereal and pizza.

14. Runners use words like fartlek with a completely straight face

15. Say things like “I could have run here faster than this.” – also leads to run commuting. run commute

16. Discuss distances with things like “just” or “only”
– It’s “only” a 6 mile run
– It’s “only” an hour run
– It’s “just” a half marathon

17. Choose to run not once, but twice in a single day! Often because while driving, we saw someone running and felt jealous.

18. We talk about lubing ourselves up, a lot. Like constantly. We don’t even giggle when saying it or standing a group of people pulling up our shorts to rub on a little more just in case.

19. Finding it totally normal to foam roll, use a tennis ball or other tool while chatting or watching tv.

20. Having and rotating multiple pairs of running shoes…for what many think is just one activity. ONE activity, my what a silly idea.

21. Always being aware of where restrooms and water fountains are.

22. Propping our phones on weird things like a trash can to get that perfect Instagram shot to ensure everyone knows that we ran today.

23. We put screws in our shoes so that we can keep running in the ice and snow.

24. Runners don’t recognize each other outside of running groups when they aren’t in ponytails and running shorts.

25. Rooms strung up with wicking clothing to dry (even though newer stuff can actually go in the dryer).

Any weird runner quirks that I completely missed this time?

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25 Runner Quirks We Don’t Realize are Super Weird