Life is what happens when you're busy running marathons...
Today, lets talk about some of the embarrassing things about being a runner! We all know there are certain things we do or experience because of running that we are not exactly proud of, but it comes with the territory. It’s just that sometimes non-runners may think we are weird or just not really understand why we do some of the things or put up with some of the side effects of running.
No matter what, my feet are always in terrible condition thanks to running. Pedicures only last about 2 days or until my next run. One of my toenails is pretty much ruined because I have lost it more than once. In the summer I try to make them look halfway decent, but honestly in the winter I just don’t care. They are just part of being a runner!
Ever been out to dinner and find that you eat more than everyone else? Either that, or we have our specific food-related quirks because we know that will fuel our runs best. Even though I am not running as much as I once did, I still find that I eat a lot because I still work out regularly. Going along with this one, how about drinking a ton of water and then peeing every 5 minutes? Yup, runners gotta stay hydrated.
While I have been a morning person for quite some time now, I really blame running for leading me into this early-to-bed-early-to-rise way of life. It’s gotten a little out of hand at this point, but if you want to feel your best for running you need enough rest! 4:30 am wake-ups mean 8:30 pm bed times, which is pretty unusual for someone in their 30s.
Do you plan your regular outfits around running? Like wearing compression socks under your pants, or comfortable shoes that don’t hurt your feet? I’m guilty on both accounts for sure. Also, after a tough run all I want to wear is sweat pants or yoga pants, (Actually, that’s not just after a tough run…that’s every day.)
As runners we may prioritize things different from others. For example, choosing to spend our money on running shoes, gear, clothing, race, etc. Or planning a trip around a race. Also, our odd habits of rolling around on the floor “torturing” ourselves with all sorts of odd equipment, or paying money to go to a chiropractor or PT for ART, dry needling, graston, etc. (Also, if you know what all those words mean then you are probably a runner).
These things don’t have to be embarrassing if we embrace the weirdness of our runner’s quirks. I don’t know about you, but I’m not about to change any of my ways.
You may also like:
5 Reasons I’m Lucky to be a Runner
5 Reasons to Give Thanks to Running
5 Ways for Runners to Save Time
What are some things you do as a runner that may be embarrassing?
Do you have runner’s feet?
What do non-runners in your life think about your lifestyle?
Great post! I find myself planning my work outfits around the shoes I want to wear because of comfort.
Yes! It’s all about comfort especially when your feet are tired.
I don’t remember the last time I organically made it past 1030. It is really quite embarrassing!
When I get kept up past 9 things go downhill very quickly.
I don’t have runners’ feet, which always surprises people! I’m happy about that…
For me it’s all about food–at work, people are always bringing junk and I’m having to say no. Then I have to deal with the eye rolling and the snide comments. Altho they all know me well enough by now that it’s not as big of a deal as it used to be.
Thats awesome that your feet are in good shape! Its annoying when there is junk at work that I really don’t want at all, and people make you feel bad for not having some.
I guess I’ve been lucky that my friends really respect my food/hydration and early to bed needs and let me do my thing without question. I do love some compression socks under the pants.
I do love being able to sneak some compression under regular clothes.
I try very hard with the monthly pedicures but runner’s feet are hard to deal with. My husband is always making fun of my eating, drinking and early bed times. What does he know?!
I need to get back in the habit of regular pedicures- it really does help. I just don’t worry about it much in the winter.
I totally eat more than most people when I got out to eat! it’s always so funny and the people close to me know I need to eat early and often lol. my feet have stayed nice somehow and I really don’t want to jinx that! I’ve never lost a toenail and I don’t have calluses. my polish stays pretty well too. my only issue is that I get nutty when the pedicurist wants to cut cuticles. I’ve gotten more sensitive over the years about my feet, that’s for sure.
I am so jealous of runners who have managed to keep their feet looking nice! Mine look decent for a few days after a pedicure but it never lasts for long.
Totally agree with all of your points. I actually havent had a pedicure in about a year, I just try to do it myself at home, lol
My lifestyle choices have changed for sure since becomming a runner. During training, my friends and family have come to understand my early bedtime on Friday night to prepare for Saturday morning long runs 🙂
I have been pretty much neglecting my feet all winter, but I will need to do something about them as it starts to warm up!
Yes to most of this haha! All my vacations this year have been planned around running- in fact my boyfriend and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary while we are in Chicago for the marathon I’m running! At least he accepts it and goes along with it 🙂
Thats awesome that he accepts it and goes along with it! Maybe you will even convert him to a runner one day:)
I love to get up early, but I’m also a night owl. I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot if I get to bed by 10:15 on the nights before my 4:30 alarm! Somehow I’ve been lucky and haven’t lost but a couple of toenails over my many years of running. Of course, there are still plenty of other ugly things that running has done to my feet.
Its hard to stay up late and still get up early, so kudos to you!
It takes a lot for me to get embarrassed. Do you know what I notice, though? I don’t run past or around other people too too much, but it seems like the times where I have to fart is right when I’m about to pass someone walking along the sidewalk or road. Why can’t I have the urge 30 seconds before or after this ONE SECOND during my whole one hour, two hour more run?!?! Murphy’s Law I guess!
Haha yes definitely! Maybe you do it subconsciously to keep people away from you while you run.
definitely a runner here! my priorities in life before running vs. now are totally different. not going out on saturday night because I have a race on Sunday, not spending money on clothes and gadgets (unless they are running related) and totally planning vacations around races… oh and yeah… my feet are so gross now I just give up. I have lost 3 toenails so far and so many blisters have calloused these puppies. but hey, I’m a runner 🙂
Sounds like a true runner to me!!
Guilty to all of it. I sleep with compression socks, I might wear them under my slacks, and I also wear RockTape until it starts to fall off. The summer is always tricky because of my runner’s feet, and I want to wear dresses. That means no compression socks, but I’ll wear compression shorts underneath.
Dresses and sandals do make things tricky in the summer!
My feet look awful! I need a pedicure now that it is warm enough to warm open-toed shoes outside. It’s actually embarrassing how much more I eat than my non-runner friends. We went backpacking during marathon training with another couple, and I felt like I ate more in one meal than the other girl ate all day.
If it ever gets warm enough here to start wearing open toes shoes then I will be getting a pedicure as well!
I feel like my feet are the most embarrassing thing about being a runner. They are just atrocious. I think I posted a picture on my blog once. They basically look like a crime scene.
Haha, well what can ya do? I try to keep mine halfway decent but the toenails are just done. Oh well, its worth it to be a runner!
Cheers to 8:30 bedtimes and 4:30 alarms in your 30s! My husband teases me all the time for saying I’m getting ready for bed at 8pm. = )
Yes! Although I have now converted my husband to be an early riser with an early bed time too!
Haha, this made me chuckle. Totally hit all the highlights for me! As I sit and read blogs in my zippy, track pants, and compression socks… on a Friday night… #winningatlife
Yup sounds like me most nights too!
All of these are so so true! Great post! My husband always gives me crap because I go you bed about 9:30 and wake up at 4:45. But then we says… it’s amazing you get up so early!
Its amazing how good it can feel to go to bed early and get a good nights sleep!
All true! My feet look terrible – thanks for the reminder that I need a pedicure!
I think I am due for one as well!
These are so true! My love of sunrise runs definitely does lead to earlier bedtimes – but I’m not disciplined enough to go to bed before 10!
I guess thats just one of the sacrifices we make as runners- getting up early even when we dont get enough sleep!
Oh man, let’s not even discuss my feet, or how many times I’ve now lost one of my big toenails. Its quite disgusting the way it has grown back each time.
Why do they always grow back so much worse?!
Thankfully, my feet look pretty nice considering all the “abuse” they endure. No bunions, and most of my toe nails are intact (and are all covered with polish LOL). YEs, I have been known to sneak a pair of compression sleeves under my pants at work….
Thats awesome that you have managed to keep your feet in such good shape!
I can’t complain to much about my feet, thank goodness. But hungry, yes I am always hungry and now finish eating most of the time before my hubby…..not good LOL~
Whenever I am training I end up eating so much and so quickly. Even without training I find that I eat more than most!
You are so right about the feet! I have one bad toenail that fell off from my Marathon two years ago and still hasn’t grown back correctly. It’s all messed up. I try to be in bed by 9 but usually don’t get up until 5:30-5:45. I run when the kids go to school. Maybe I can get some sunrise runs in this week since they’re on spring break!
It’s so sad what happens to our toenails after we lose one! Hope you get in a nice sunrise run this week!
My feet. For real. Haha
I am guilty of all those running quirks, but don’t find them embarrassing, they are just part of me and my routine.