Should I Apologize for Being a Runner?

During a recent conversation about running, I noticed I was basically apologizing for having run 8 miles that morning. Why couldn’t I just accept the compliment? When I got to thinking about it, I recalled several other times in recent memory when I’d done that — even when talking about my marathon! Isn’t that part of the reason for running a marathon in the first place? So you can brag about it?

Actually, I think there’s a time and place to brag about running — and that’s mainly here on my blog or when I’m on the phone with my parents.

But if running comes up in conversation and someone asks how many miles I ran that morning, and I say 8, and then they go, “WOW! Eight miles?!” what is the proper response for that? Yeah, I’m awesome, which is why I ate half a plate of nachos, half a burger, a pile of fries, and two beers! (Don’t eat all that, by the way. My eyes were way bigger than my stomach and I was so sick later.)

What I actually said: “Well,” looking down, “I like to run” in an apologetic tone.

What do you say when someone compliments your mileage or your “speed”? What is the correct response to someone who makes a big deal out of your as a runner?

Yesterday’s tempo recap from DailyMile:

Two things: 1. I switched my tempo day with my repeat day because the total mileage is more and I can do more on Mondays, and 2. I somehow ran out of time and didn’t want to drive (again) to the part of the trail that’s not a downhill/uphill out and back. So I went into the tempo knowing I’d have some fast uphill miles. Ick.

But I cheated. I turned around early so only 1.5 miles total of my four tempo miles were uphill. WIN. Goal pace for tempo: 8:13.

Mile 1 (warm up): 9:45
Mile 2 (tempo 1): 8:12 – downhill
Mile 3 (tempo 2): 8:12 – 1/2 downhill, 1/2 uphill
Mile 4 (easy): 9:36
Mile 5 (tempo 3): 8:14 – uphill
Mile 6 (tempo 4): 8:11 – downhill
Mile 7 (cool down): 10:09

Something funny: The traffic was all backed up along the highway, so the cars were crawling along. I raced a red pickup truck for basically all of Mile 5 — till the traffic cleared and he sped away.

Today’s swim recap:

I finally made it to the pool early in the morning. BUT I was late; was hoping to get in 40 minutes instead of 30.
20 laps kicking with kickboard
8 laps freestyle (so happy that I found my goggles!)
2 laps breaststroke cool down

Other random thing:

Fun fact! Our boxer Bennie’s dog show handler, Cindy, is also the handler for the No. 1 Bernese Mountain Dog in the country, Abbot, who lives out here. He WON breed today at Westminster and will compete in the Working Group ring on TV tonight! If you’re watching, feel free to cheer on Cindy and Abbot!