What kind of Runner are You?

In the latest issue of Runners World magazine, there is an article called Natural Selection and it asks the question, “what kind of runner are you?”  They list 3 different types; The Speed Racer, The Middle Distance Specialist, and The Long Hauler.  If you don’t know, or are not sure, you can take their “test” to see what type you are.  I have been struggling lately with that very same question.  I’ve run 3 marathons, but I’ve never felt that I’m a “marathoner”.  I have never hit the time that I want, or the time that I think can do, so maybe I just can’t do it?  I’ve trained hard every time, but the end result does not meet my expectations.  Do I give up running the marathon, or do I try harder?  I took the test and it showed that I’m a middle distance specialist.  I’m not sure of the specialist part, but I do enjoy running half marathons, and 10k’s.  Maybe that’s my calling and marathons are just not my thing.  But the hard thing for me is to give up something that I’ve struggled with, and have never succeeded with (at least in my mind), until I conquer it.  In my mind, conquering would be running under 4 hours.  Until I do that, I will have not done well enough for me.  I’ve run a half marathon in 1:46, so you would think that I could do the full in less than 4 hours.  To me, the marathon is so much harder to do.  Is it just in my mind, or is it simply something that I’m not destined to be good enough at?

I’ve really been struggling with my training this year because of my injuries.  My next marathon,  the Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon, is coming up in 4 weeks, and I know I won’t be running that one very well.  My plan is to go out fast, go faster in the middle, and finish fast.  Just kidding (and those who watch The Office know what I mean).  No, my plan is to finish and not feel like crap.  That would be nice.