Lifelong Runner?

[Anonymous]

Just curious at what point you consider yourself to be a lifelong runner. I see people define themselves as this and it's not really clear what it means - since high school? 20+ years? 10+ years? I'm trying to figure out if I've hit the milestone because I just say I've been running for a long time. Not that I will say I am a lifelong runner - I just find it funny when someone says this. Maybe if I don't know what the definition is that means I am not one

[Anonymous]

I use the term. I started running when I was 13; I'm 36 now, so for 23 years and a significant majority of my life. More often, though, I say I've been running for 20+ years to give a sense of context. Hopefully I can continue for many more years to come!

[Anonymous]

I say I'm a lifelong swimmer because I swam competitively from age 8-18 and then started swimming open water as an adult.

I say I'm a runner because I've been running since I was 24. I'm 44 now. I don't say "lifelong" because it wasn't something I did as a kid or in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious at what point you consider yourself to be a lifelong runner. I see people define themselves as this and it's not really clear what it means - since high school? 20+ years? 10+ years? I'm trying to figure out if I've hit the milestone because I just say I've been running for a long time. Not that I will say I am a lifelong runner - I just find it funny when someone says this. Maybe if I don't know what the definition is that means I am not one

How long have you been running?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious at what point you consider yourself to be a lifelong runner. I see people define themselves as this and it's not really clear what it means - since high school? 20+ years? 10+ years? I'm trying to figure out if I've hit the milestone because I just say I've been running for a long time. Not that I will say I am a lifelong runner - I just find it funny when someone says this. Maybe if I don't know what the definition is that means I am not one

How long have you been running?

20 years

[Anonymous]

I ran in high school, kept in college (not competitive though), and continue now (age 34). Long distance too.

[Anonymous]

I say I'm a lifelong swimmer because I swam competitively from age 8-18 and then started swimming open water as an adult.

I say I'm a runner because I've been running since I was 24. I'm 44 now. I don't say "lifelong" because it wasn't something I did as a kid or in high school

This is me, exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious at what point you consider yourself to be a lifelong runner. I see people define themselves as this and it's not really clear what it means - since high school? 20+ years? 10+ years? I'm trying to figure out if I've hit the milestone because I just say I've been running for a long time. Not that I will say I am a lifelong runner - I just find it funny when someone says this. Maybe if I don't know what the definition is that means I am not one

How long have you been running?

20 years

I think you qualify.
To me, it's about your identity, which can be based on a number of different factors. I have always thought of myself as a jock while dh, who wasn't on a varsity team in high school (other than chess!), played lots of sports informally but didn't think of himself as an athlete. Now he's as physically active as I am (although not as consistent) and he still doesn't see himself as an athlete.

[Anonymous]

I started running when I was 12. I ran in high school, college, the morning of my wedding day, all through my pregnancies, etc. I feel most like myself when I run. I would absolutely say I am a lifetime runner - sounds like you might be as well!