Marathoner, Half Marathoner, or Triathlete?

A coworker recently commented on all the running decorations I have at my desk.  I have maps from my first two half marathons posted (Disneyland 5th Anniversary and the Inaugural Wine and Dine).  I have various race key chains hanging from my bulletin board.  I have a map from the Princess Half and from this year’s Disney Marathon.  I drink water from a 13.1 Tervis Tumbler, and I have a 26.2 magnet stuck to the wall.  I also have a 13.1 emblem on my car.

This coworker knows that I’m always training, and asked why the majority of my stuff is half-marathon focused.  Don’t I want to promote the “bigger” things I’m doing, like the marathon and the triathlons?

First off, I don’t consider myself a triathlete.  Not yet, anyway.  Once I’ve finished a triathlon or two, then maybe.

For similar reasons, I don’t consider myself a marathoner.  I’ve finished one, but I didn’t feel like I finished strong.  I didn’t leave it all out on the course due to reasons beyond my control.

So yes, I consider myself a half-marathoner.  I love the distance.  It’s a solid challenge, but one I can train for without too much difficulty.  (I say this knowing that this weekend’s half is not going to be pretty – but that’s because I’m focused on tri training.)  I can train for a half and still have a life.  I enjoyed marathon training last fall and winter, but on the days of my long runs, I would run, shower, eat, and pretty much sit around the rest of the day, resting and stretching.  I can do a ten mile training run and still function later in the day.

It took me a while to get to the point where I was comfortable with the half marathon.  Don’t get me wrong – it’s still a challenge, and I still get nervous every time I stand in a corral before a race.  But for the most part, it’s fun.

Does that mean that I’m giving up on marathons or triathlons?  Certainly not!  And maybe a year from now I’ll consider myself a triathlete.  I don’t think I’ll be calling myself a marathoner anytime soon, though.

 
photo credit: Andrew_D_Hurley via photopin cc