You Know You're A Runner If...
you know how to pronounce (correctly) Plantar Fasciitis
when you have a favorite ice pack
when you laugh about chaffing
when your massage therapist knows your race schedule
when you brag about losing toenails
your room smells like a nursing home because of all the analgesic you use
when a pot is started to bet on when your next toenail will fall off
when you run even though you are sick
when you put more time and work into taping parts of your body than to your tax return
when you go through a box of Band-Aids without getting a single cut
when there are permanent blood stains on your T-shirts where your nipples were rubbed raw
when it hurts worse to take a shower than it does to keep running
when you find yourself standing in front of the mirror trying to see if you have a leg length discrepancy
when you know the names and remedies for every possible injury from bursitis to shin splints
when you could teach a class about biomechanics and the different kinds of shoes people need
when you are the only person in town who knows what Quinine is used for besides treating malaria
when your physical therapist or massage therapist is on speed dial
when your rolling pin is kept near your bed instead of in the kitchen
when every T-shirt you own has a race name and sponsors listed on it
when your socks come in two categories: running socks and others
when you go from having a drawer for your running clothes to having an entire bureau for running clothes
when you have tons of race shirts but can't find a work shirt for the life of you
when you balk at the cost of everyday shoes and then spend $75 - $100 on a pair of running shoes that will only last 3 months and think you're getting a fabulous deal
when you refuse to buy shorts with a seam longer than 2 inches
when you think a black Timex Ironman watch goes with black tie dress
when you are constantly washing running clothes but have to go through piles of clothes on the floor to find work clothes each morning
you can shop at REI and your local running store for hours, but can't stand 5 minutes anywhere else
when you spend $12 on socks that help you avoid blisters
when you have more shoes than your girlfriend or girl friends (as the case may be)
when you have to explain to everyone why you can't run in the T-shirts you get at races