Every runner has a story.
A story of what they are training for, how long they’ve been a runner, their best race ever, or a tale of the most horrible race that you would never wish on your worst nightmare. War stories of injuries, running in a driving rain, crawling across a finish line or withstanding the bitter cold and blizzards.
I live in a town that has quite a few runners. I see a lot of the same runners every day of the year. It doesn’t matter if it’s morning, noon or night, snowstorm or a hot and humid summer day. We are out there! Some runners I have gotten to know over the years thanks to my run club. Others, I may never know their stories or their names.
So I give them a name.
It’s a little game I like to call, Name That Runner.
Welcome to the cast and crew of runners in my town. I’m sure you have a unique crew in your town,too.
Grunter – A super speedy girl who will never ever take me by surprise. I hear her grunts way before I see her. Is that her way of saying “On your left!”? It must be because Grunter never says ‘hello’ as she cruises by. So rude!
Lara Croft – Another super speedy girl who makes running look effortlessly. We call her Lara Croft (as in the Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider video game) because she has dark hair and wears it in a long braid that swings back and forth as she casually strides by. For years, I didn’t know who she was. As luck would have it, our sons became friends in 2nd grade and so did we. Ironically, her name is Laura but she’s still Lara Croft to me. And of course, I told her this story when we first met. Not awkward at all. 
Insanely Overdressed Guy – I’m in a tank and shorts in July. He’s in a 1/2 zip fleece, gloves and ski hat. I always want to say “It is so cold out!” just to hear what his response would be.
Insanely Underdressed Guy – For every piece of clothing Insanely Overdressed Guy puts on, Insanely Underdressed Guy takes off. No matter what the season. 20 degrees? T-shirt and shorts. Snowing? T-shirt and shorts. MAYBE he’ll put a long sleeve shirt on. Maybe.
This is Painful but I’m Doing it Anyway Guy – Two ankle braces and a knee brace and it looks like he winces in pain with every step. Yet he runs by my house almost every single day. Can’t stop, won’t stop.
The Dog Dragger – Let me first start off by saying this woman isn’t actually dragging her dogs. It just looks like the dogs really aren’t into the faster pace. And when I say faster pace, I mean walking at a normal pace. This lady isn’t even a runner. Just another person that we gave a name too.
The Guy with ALL the Blinky Lights On – I’m all for safety when running in the dark but this guy wears so many blinkies that it’s blinding to drivers. One dark winter morning, Kyle and I could see something up ahead of us. We thought it was a police car with it’s lights on. Nope – just The Guy with ALL the Blinky Lights On.
Miss I Never Smile, Wave or Say Hi – Doesn’t she know the runner’s code?
Dan, Dan the running man, running by as fast as he can. – So I actually know this guys name – it is in fact, Dan. He’s so fast that he gets a jingle. However, I can’t claim credit for it. Ron came up with this one all on his own.
The Tip Toe Runner – His name says it all – this guy looks like he’s tip toeing along the road. I know I don’t have the perfect running form but that just looks painful.
The Twins – I’ve seen these two ladies running together ever since I’ve moved to the area 13 years ago. I would love to be their triplet but they are always starting when I’m finishing! If only I didn’t have to be done with my run so early. We could be besties.
So now I need to know – what do other runners call me? Hmmmm…
Say hello to the cast of runners in my town with a game called Name That Runner! #runchat
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Do you make up names for runners in your area that you don’t know?
What do you think your Runner Name would be? I’m guessing mine would be Morning Runner Girl.
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