Monday, September 20, 2010

You're a jogger?

The other night I went to get my hair cut and colored. If you get highlights, or any kind of haircoloring, you know that you spend a lot of time in the chair while the color is being applied. So, my hairdresser, Angela, and I had lots of time to chat.

And we have a lot to chat about. We both have boys and are both pregnant with our second child. As the conversation wore on, we started to discuss weight -- gain during pregnancy, loss after pregnancy, blah, blah, blah. At one point, Angela told me she was going to take up jogging after her baby is born. She'd definitely lose the weight that way, she figured. She went on and on and I was agreeing with her in the form of some very enthusiastic cheers of, "You can do it!" and "Absolutely!" and "Running is the perfect exercise for a mom!" when she said, "But, you know, it will be hard to get out and do it with two kids."

I stopped her right there. I told her that I run and that I ran through (most of) this pregnancy and that I even trained a group of non-running moms -- all of whom have at least two kids -- for a 5K this spring. I started to go on about prioritizing and making time for yourself and all the things I tend to go on and on about when she interrupted me.

"Wait a minute," she said. "You're a jogger?"

"Um, yeah," I said.

"You've been jogging while you're pregnant?"

I bit my tongue.

Oh, how I wanted to say, "Run! I run! I'm a runner! Not a jogger." But I didn't. This is a mom who wants to get into running -- whether she refers to it as running or jogging. Why snob it up?

And, frankly, I'm not doing much running these days at all so who am I to correct the jogging label? Honestly, she could have asked me if I waddle and I would have had to say yes. So, yes. I told her I've been jogging while pregnant and we went on to have a great conversation about it.

She was really interested in my whole pregnant running story. And she seemed quite gung-ho about starting her own running program this spring. I hope she does! I can't wait to give her some support -- while she gives me some nice "sun-kissed" hair!

Happy Monday, everyone. Hope you all had a great weekend -- running, jogging or even just a little waddling!

~ Felice

21 comments:

Diana said...

That's great! You are changing everyone's lives, aren't you? What a great thing to do for so many women :)

Giulia Jones said...

Isn't it funny how there is a small little line between being a "jogger" and a "runner'?. I started 'running' in January of this year and though I know I'm super slow, I still consider it running. When I tell people that I've completed two 5k's and am about to train for a 10k, I do get a puzzled look. Mainly because I don't have a runner's body, I'm still chunky, but I'm happy that I can now say that I can do these races. I think most times people just don't believe me, but to hell with them--I'm a runner! :)

Laura said...

Good for you...I would have been polite but still corrected her. it is the one thing my coach drills into all of us..we are runners.

Anonymous said...

I think even if you jog you're a runner. Jogging is a form of running, after all. Plus even when running, I take walk breaks sometimes- that doesn't make me any less of a runner even if I have to stop and walk for a minute.

I really hope I can run while I'm pregnant (not that I'm pregnant now or plan to be anytime soon). I'd love to tell my children about their first 5K they "ran" while in the womb :).

Amy Lauren

ShutUpandRun said...

One time I as at Lowe's and started to talk to the guy about running. He kept calling me a jogger and I talked over him saying I was a runner. My husband thought it was really funny that the term "jogger" got to me like it did.

Unknown said...

It's cool that you inspired her.

I despise it when people refer to me as a jogger though. Even my Garmin does it. LOL

misszippy said...

I'm sure you gave her lots to think about. Bet she went home and started googling beginner running programs!

Finally--you ARE a runner, even more so since you're doing it preggo!

S Club Mama said...

Does it really bother runners to be referred to as a jogger? I figure either is running, it's just terminology (and of course speed, I guess).

Molly said...

I feel like "jogger" has such an '80's connotation, along with leg warmers. I'm defintely a "runner" too!

Marlene said...

Sounds like you gave her some inspiration! I would have had a hard time biting my tongue on the "jogger" bit. ;)

Abby said...

Love this!!

racing dawn said...

So funny. I totally agree with Molly - jogger sounds so 80's! I would definitely much rather call myself a runner too! It's not snobby... :) So great you inspired a new runner into the club! Way to go...

H Love said...

too funny. "jogger" makes my skin crawl! UGH!! Why is that so offensive?

mommaof3ontherun said...

I sometimes get embarrassed to say "run" or "runner" because I am so slow. Just one of those things. I do usually describe it as running and then make some joke about my pace.

So happy you inspired her!

Fruit Fly said...

So happy I'm not the only one to cringe when I hear the word "jogger". Someone asked me on facebook once if I jogged an entire race. I was so annoyed, I didn't even bother to answer!
~RR

Miz said...

these days with my back im a WOGGER.

you? rolemodel mcgee.

wherever you go.

Anonymous said...

I never really thought about the line between jogging and running, although I use both terms.

Unknown said...

I get annoyed with the "jogging" thing too. I'm Galloway, so my argument seems flimsy. Still, I just prefer to be called a runner, even if I walk sometimes.

Then, I get mad at myself for even caring.... :(

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

Oh if I had a penny for every time a non-runner said that )oh so you jog?!) said that to me. =)

Hi just chanced upon your blog. Will link yours to mine. I enjoy reading your posts =)

J said...

You really are inspiring everyone around you to run!!

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

That's great. Lately I get a lot of the - you run?!?! Is that okay?!?! IS your baby okay?!?! Did you tell your dr?!?! I wonder if these people would be so quick to say the same thing if I was say actually doing something wrong or unhealthy.....hmmmmm.....

You are almost there!!!

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