Seriously, I don’t really mind when people ask me if I am jogging. But there are some runners who are offended and quick to correct that they run, not jog.
What’s the difference anyway?
For me, you are a runner if you think you are. Sadly, most people differentiate runners from joggers with speed. They say you’re a runner if you finish 5k in 30 minutes. Beyond that time, you’re simply jogging. I find it even funny if not ridiculous when others bluntly state that a runner shouldn’t wear jogging pants!
A typical High Intensity Interval Training looks something like this:
Jog for 5-10 minutes to Warm-Up. Sprint for 30 sec. then walk for 30 sec. Repeat 10X. Jog 5-10 minutes to recover. Run 1 minute then walk for 1 minute. Repeat 10X. Then jog for 5-10 minutes to Cool-Down.
In the above example, it is clear that a runner jogs, sprints, runs and walks. So when someone asks me if I am walking, I have no qualms answering him that I am. Of course I walk and I also run.
What if in your mind you brand yourself a jogger and deep in your heart, you passionately want to become a serious runner? What should you do?
If you believe that joining a race will qualify you to be called a runner, then do it. How do you choose the right one? Here are some tips:
1. The schedule of the race: Do you have enough time to prepare for it? I was 49 when I started training. I was so unfit that it took me 9 months to run 5k without stopping. At 50, I achieved my dream of running my first 5k race.
2. Who will be the beneficiary of the Race? If the recipient of the proceeds of the race is close to your heart or if the purpose of the Race is something you believe in, choose that particular race.
3. The race route: It would be ideal for your first race to be on a flat surface without any uphills. Unless you incorporated hills training in your WorkOut.
4. The Starting Line and Time: Is the venue of the Starting Line accessible for you? Will you be there on time for the GunOff?
5. Finishing Time: For Milo and probably all other races, finishing time for a 5k race is 1 hour. So please don’t join yet if you cannot run at an average pace of 12 mins./km for your first 5k race.
Good luck!
