You know, I’ve been running since January, and I still don’t feel like a “runner.” I love doing races, and I love how quickly I can see improvement, and how I can run anywhere, even on vacation.
And while occasionally I am “itching” to run, I am not one who feels the need to run 4, 5 or even 6 times a week.
I know a lot of food bloggers are also runners, and I think I fall into the trap of comparing myself to them. I feel guilty when I don’t feel like running, even though logically I shouldn’t.
Lately, I have had very little “drive” to go for a run. I’m not sure why. And because I don’t feel like going for my scheduled run, I keep putting it off and don’t end up exercising at all.
I love doing pilates, yoga, weights, and the occasional bike ride. And I want to run once or twice a week. I just need to keep reminding myself that those are all valid forms of exercise, even if I’m not running!
Today I am thankful that I can keep reminding myself of this, and that the blog world will help me remember this too. Caitlin and Jessica were sweet enough to remind me of this the other day via Twitter when I decided to replace my run with a yoga and weights session.
Today I am also thankful that I have a healthy body that will let me run, bike, strength train, and do yoga and pilates at all.
And finally, I am thankful today for the fact that I have a fiance who loves to bike that I can ride with.
And as a given, I am also thankful for my friends and family. 
I remembered last night how much I have missed this puppy face:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
this post is great. even though i’m currently not able to run, i can totally relate to the ‘guilt’ you are feeling. I used to be perfectly content with other forms of exercise (i.e. weight training, elliptical, bike, spinning class, etc.) but when I started running more I began to feel as though only a run was a valid, hard exercise. I too had to remind myself that it is nOT the only credible form of exercise whatsoever and it is important to vary up the routine! so good for ou
when i start exercising again, i think i am going to try to make sure I keep my routine more varied!
ps- cute dog
xoxo
shelley
Thanks for your sweet comment! Have you tried yoga or Pilates? So relaxing, but also builds your strength!
I agree with so much of this – I compare myself to other bloggers too often, and I definitley have trouble calling myself a runner. And sometimes, I don’t want to run and therefore I don’t exercise at all, when I LOVE lots of different activities! Thank you for reminding me that I’m not the only one in our sweet little blogging community who feels this way! I am thankful for you, Julie!
xoxo-
happy thanksgiving!
Aww, thanks Heather! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!
Great post, girl!!
I definitely know what you are saying! I find myself so easily getting caught up in the trap of “I should be doing this” or “I should run more to be a real runner.” Who determines what a real runner is anyway? I say you are a runner if you run and you feel like a runner!