Running vs Jogging

The Big Debate

The topic of Running vs Jogging is frequent in the running community. Not so much in the community of all-others, a.k.a. Joggers.

When I think of a Jogger, this is the image that forms in my mind:

Runners do NOT run like this nor wear something like this.

Above: Now I understand this is a shot conjuring up an image of a "runner", but it is so very offensive, I was hesitant to even put it on my page. Or perhaps they are in on the joke with Us? An exaggeration of the opposite.

Below: This image of a "jogger" also comes to mind, because sometimes toy manufacturers are stupid or don't bother getting an accurate portrayal (does Barbie ring a bell?). Notice the same offensive head band below as above?

Part of my childhood. Though my CPKs were wearing running shorts & singlets.

You see, there really isn't a "jogging" community. It is Us vs. Them. They don't debate this, because They don't think like Us, live like Us, or breathe like Us.

Which makes this debate seem a bit one-sided. Okay, very one-sided. Since we understand that They don't care about this topic, we can move on to the side that does: Us, a.k.a. Runners.

May I add, Runners may look different, run at different speeds, race at different efforts, use different training methods, and debate the whole shoe thing, but Runners are alike in that we have the same mindset.

Prime example of a Runner "racing". Runners can be competitive no matter the speed:

Husband kicking it into gear so he wouldn't get chic'd by my girlfriend.

Some Runners aren't competitive when racing, because their objective is to have fun, or run long distances in an uncomfortable costume...for fun:

The Elvis-ettes. Find them at your local Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. White skirt: www.RunningSkirts.com

Some Runners like to go fast. The motto, Faster you run, sooner you're done. Or they like to win prizes or division place.

A Marathon Winner. You can be one too.

Runners show up to run a marathon: 26.2 miles.

Like I said, being a Runner has nothing to do with speed. Speed is all relative. My "fast" may be your "slow" and vice versa.

Find me a fast, short distance runner who hasn't trained for the long haul and I bet they wouldn't finish one these:

The long road of a marathon: 26.2 miles or more.

Runners can be all capabilities, age, beliefs, political views, and gender. Take for example those who don't have legs or do have legs that no longer work:

Wheelchair Elites

No matter your view on this woman, she is a runner, who has our mindset (trains, passionate, and has an impressive marathon time).

Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor, VP Running Mate, Marathoner.

We Care!

So why do Runners care about this topic? And what is being debated in our Running Community?

We care because it is who we are, what we do, how we live our life. Because we see a "jogger" as a non-existent description. Either you are a Runner or not.

Runners:

• Set training plans
• Race plans are done yearly
• Plan vacations around races
• Plan a vacation where there will be a race
• Read about running
• Talk about running
• Drool with envy or get inspired when seeing another Runner out running
• Will put up with painful, hard-work, and sometimes scary methods to get back to running: ART, ASTYM, PT, needles, rehab, even surgery
• Run 20+ miles
• Sit in an ice bath after those 20+ mile runs
• Eat to run (athlete's diet)
• Run to eat
• Run to drink
• Have medal hangers to display division and finisher awards
• Have as many running shoes as their work/casual shoes
• Have a running bag...
• Have a running closet/armoire

Name some other things that make us Runners... Leave a comment to this post.

Debated

Runners have debated amongst themselves what a Runner vs Jogger mean, and here are some I have heard:

• Pace - I can't even argue this one, because pace is all relative. Some say a Runner is someone who throws up at the end of a race, or someone who runs a 5 minute pace. That's ludicrous. Take for example, me (because I am easy to pick on): I have thrown up at the end of race two ways: 1)  Raced my ass off to win, except I ate a large meal beforehand;  2) Ran a marathon and drank Gatorade which does NOT sit well in my stomach. As for pace... When I am running a 6:45 minute mile, that is fast for me! Anything at 9:00 or over is slow. Anything at 10:00 or longer is way too slow. Yet I have some friends whose "fast vs. slow" scale vary. My "fast" may be their "slow". And my "slow" may be their "fast". For any of Us to say our own pace scale is universal, is nuts. Who says their is only one political or religious belief? That goes the same for pace. 
• Distance - "If you haven't ran a half marathon (13.1) or longer, you are not a runner." W-R-O-N-G. That's like saying, if you only have one child, you are not really a mother/father, until you have 2+ children.
• Racing vs. Running - In some countries, apparently western Europe, if you are " all out, red lining and puking at some invisible finish line... ", you are running. Yet that description reminds me of racing in school. And the other debate is, if you haven't raced, you really are not a runner. See "Pace" again.

What other points of debate have you heard on Running vs. Jogging? I am curious to know.