I am a runner.

I went for a run two nights ago and had my fastest mile ever!  10 minutes and 37 seconds.  Here's the crazy part, I'd had two glasses of white wine just before my run.  I didn't intend to go running, I just suddenly felt the urge.  Both of my kids were asleep in bed and I had someone to watch them for a spell.  I think the alcohol put a spring in my step!

I've only been running since November.  And in that time, I've only been seriously running since February.  When people ask, "Are you a runner?".  I usually hem and ha and say, "Well, I jog - does that count?"  I just looked up "jog" in the dictionary and it doesn't sound all that great:


JOG
1. to move or shake with a push or jerk

2. to cause to function with a jolt for a moment or in a series of disconnected motions

3. to push slightly, as to arouse the attention; nudge

Then, I looked up "run".  It certainly sounds a lot better:

RUN
1. to go quickly by moving the legs in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.

2. to move with haste; act quickly

3. to depart quickly; take to flight


So from now on, when someone asks, "Are you a runner?" I'll be more than happy to reply, "Yes.  I run."  I do not 'move and shake with a jerk'.  I 'take flight'.  Well, I take flight slowly... but it feels like flying to me.