7 common types of marathon runners are you one of them
Mark Remy is a well-known runner and author. In his new book, 'The North American Runner: A Field Guide to the Species,' runners are categorized into 23 types. According to the book, the following 7 types are commonly seen in races. Do you fit any of these categories?
1. Elite Runner
Characteristics: Matching running shoes and apparel—shorts, vests, jackets, hats, all from sponsors; emit a faint halo under certain lighting. Additionally, they look very much like professional runners.
How to identify: Clearly, you can recognize them at a glance. In restaurants, hotels, or during morning runs, you might exclaim, 'Look, that's Shalane Flanagan!'
2. Professional Runner
Characteristics: Lean body, thin arms, team uniforms, slightly anxious eyes; all professional runners are as thin as reeds, with hollow cheeks and hip bones that could crack an egg.
How to identify: Needless to say, most runners in races belong to this type.
3. Charity Runner
Characteristics: Cheerful, hopeful, smiling like a winner, with temporary tattoos, and T-shirts bearing charity logos.
How to identify: Not many, but very noticeable. They are enthusiastic and happy to participate. During the race, you can easily spot the charity logos on them.
4. Veteran Runner (Consecutive Marathon Runner)
Characteristics: Intense gaze; obsessive about having 'full marathon' labels everywhere on their body; scary runner's toenails; carries travel massage tools; running shoes are either heavily worn or brand new (having just discarded a heavily worn pair).
How to identify: Unlike professional runners, she will appear on the way to dinner wearing a jacket with a Boston Marathon bib sewn on since 1983, proving she has participated for 19 consecutive years.
5. Senior Runner
Characteristics: No time to prepare a music player or any tricks; graying hair; older age; cotton race shirts; mischievous eyes.
How to identify: Maybe he has run the Boston Marathon 19 times, or maybe this is his first time. But even at an older age, he is still here, ready to start.
6. Modest Runner (Runner who doesn't admit they are a real runner)
Characteristics: Self-deprecating; reluctant to talk about their running habits; no fancy running shoes or apparel.
How to identify: Perhaps he has run 22 marathons but still says, 'I'm not a real runner.' Finding them is very difficult because they are so low-key, often disappearing into the background or corners. He might have bought a Boston Marathon jacket but will never wear it because 'he's not a real runner.'
7. Blind Runner (Runner who runs at a 7-minute mile pace)
Characteristics: Never warms up; always runs at a 7-minute mile pace (about 1.61 km), regardless of distance, purpose, or conditions.
How to identify: These people will start at a 7-minute mile pace (about 1.61 km), but in the last few miles, their pace will drop to 10 minutes per mile. They don't understand what went wrong because they have always done it this way.