Runners are a rare breed. Our non-runner friends shake their heads at us in disbelief when we talk about things like an "easy" 10 miler, hill repeats or 5am wake up calls. We try to explain our weird ways and even try to recruit them to becoming runners themselves, but we often just leave them confused. Here are five ways runners are routinely misunderstood by our non-running friends.

The stickers on our cars

Whether they thought the 13.1 or 26.2 sticker on your car was a bible verse or a radio station, their eyes glaze over as we start to recount our last half marathon. They're certainly sorry they brought it up.

The language we speak

Whether we are speaking in all acronyms (I PR'd and got a BQ!) or we start using weird words like Fartlek, they have no idea what we are talking about...and they're too afraid to ask, because we just might keep talking about running.

Our toenails are optional

Like any good runner we buy our running shoes 1/2 size to one size bigger than our street shoes, but it happens to the best of us: Sometimes our toenails turn black and/or fall off. So when our non-runner friends ask us to go for a pedicure, they sometimes don't understand that some issues are beyond help. We just do the world a favor and wear closed-toe shoes.

Porta-Potties are a Godsend

Listen, I know they're gross, but when you are a beyond-exhausted runner that has to use the restroom and you see a porta-potty in the distance, you wonder if it is a mirage or if all your prayers have been answered. In that moment a porta-potty is literally the best sight you have ever seen. Hope you remembered to tuck toilet paper in your socks. Try explaining that one to a non-runner.

The early morning alarm

When we skip a night out on Friday because we have an early morning training run, or leave the party early without drinks on Saturday because of a Sunday morning race, it can be hard for our non-runner friends to understand our priorities. Yes, we want to get up at the crack of dawn to run 13 miles in exchange for a t-shirt and a cheap medal. Really!

Don't get me wrong, I love my non-runner friends. I don't expect them to learn everything about running just because I love it. I'll accept being a misunderstood runner as long as we can agree that a marathon is 26.2 miles. Every. Single. Time.

Have you ever been misunderstood as a runner?

Coach Lea

Usually on #workoutwednesday I share a strength training workout, but today we are going to do something a little different. Did you know it is a global holiday today? It calls for celebration.

It seems that nearly every day, it is declared a new social media made-up holiday. You know what I mean. National donut day. World margarita day. National sibling day. National wine day. The list goes on and on. These made-up holidays can be fun way to connect and share on social media, plus who doesn't love a good excuse to drink wine and eat donuts? (Not me. I'm a trainer. Sarcasm font needed here.)

Finally there is a made-up holiday that I can really get behind! June 1st is global running day. I say if you participated in national donut day because it was "a thing" you are now morally and socially obligated to participate in global running day! (ha) If you can use a made-up holiday as an excuse to indulge on donuts, then surely you can use one to motivate yourself to go for a run. Deal? Deal.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE GLOBAL RUNNING DAY

1. Go for a run (D'uh.)

The easiest way to celebrate global running day is to go for a run! Whether it is one mile or ten miles, get out there and hit the pavement. Nothing boosts your mood and clears your head like an outdoor run.

2. Download a Race Bib

If you want to have a little fun with it go to http://globalrunningday.org/ to pledge your miles and download a running bib. Whether you wear the bib or not is up to you. Your neighbors may look at you funny, but I'm used to it, they look at me funny anyway.

3. Share on Social Media

What's the point of a made-up holiday if you don't share it with all your friends on social media? Since it is virtually impossible to run a mile without telling everyone you know about it anyway, this is a perfect opportunity to let your Facebook friends know that you are cool and athletic. Use hashtag #globalrunningday and share a sweaty-selfie or a shoefie. While you are at it, search the #globalrunningday hashtag to connect to the millions of other runners celebrating this day.

4. Run for Charity

Run for your favorite charity on Charity Miles. Did you know you can raise money for your favorite charity by logging the miles you are running? It is a great way to give back and all you have to do is run (and download the app). You can do this any day, not just on Global Running Day.

5. Motivate Friends

Global running day is the perfect opportunity to guilt..errr...I mean motivate your friends to go for a run with you. Once you tell them about global running day they surely won't want to miss out on this once a year opportunity. Who knows, you may end up recruiting the next run fanatic and change someone's life. Gather up your friends and family and make an event of it.

What do you think? Will you join me in logging some miles on global running day? Let me know in the comments or on social media if you ran today to celebrate! In the meantime, I am still pushing for my own made-up holiday, National Hug a Blogger Day.

Coach Lea