Am I a Runner?

I started running in March.  

I am not a runner.

I could hardly run to the corner.  

I am not a runner.  

So I joined a women's training program, and I trained for 8 weeks.  

In June, I ran my first 5K.  

I'm clapping because my only goal was to run the entire 5K, and I did it.  

I am not sure that makes me a runner.

I ran all summer.  Some weeks, I would skip a run, and it would bother me.  I actually missed running.

Is this how runners feel?

Today, I ran an 8K.  I ran almost 5 miles.  It was the furthest I have ever run.

There were a ton of serious runners there.  

These people were fit, strong, and fast.

I ran it.  I finished.  Barely.  Todd just showed me how 80% of the participants finished ahead of me.  Really, 80%?  I ran just over an 11 minute mile.  I thought that was good.  It got me a 20%.  

My brother John, me, and Todd after the Acumen 8K

I'm still not sure I am a runner.  Sometimes, I feel like a bit of a fake.  

But I know I am more of runner now than I was 7 months ago.  

And in March I couldn't have finished five miles.  Or even one.

Now, I can.

I may be last, or close to last, but I am a runner.