Why I'm jealous of new runners

Why I'm jealous of new runners

Oh hello, new runners! You're all so lucky, you know that? It may not seem like it when you first start running, but you are. Whether you're a track athlete who's been hiding your shoes in the closet for the past decade or a beginner who doesn't yet understand the meaning of "fartlek" (oh, but you will soon enough!), I'm crazy with envy over every new runner's journey - because their life will soon be a series of unforgettable firsts.

You will fall in love.

There might be fireworks at the beginning: Oh my God, is this what endorphins feel like?! Or maybe it'll be a slow burn: I walked five blocks last week and six blocks today...yay! Either way, if running is for you, you'll be addicted. And when you're in love, the world looks a little brighter. A spring will form in your step even if you're not chasing 400s or chasing the only water fountain within 3 miles. (Related: An Open Letter to Runners Who Think They're Too Slow)

They will hire PR after PR.

Never run a mile? Congratulations, your first is now your new personal record. The same goes for your first 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon and the list goes on. Soon you'll memorize your fastest times and be determined to beat them in subsequent races. In the beginning, each finish line is not just a personal record, but a unique achievement, another notch on the belt of your running journey.

They become an encyclopedia.

Running seems easy enough. Buy some neon shoes, lace them up and go. Ha! You'll soon be immersed in a whole new world, complete with strange jargon to decipher and a whole host of peripheral topics. To understand how to carb load, you need to understand what a carbohydrate actually is. To learn how to cross train, first discover how your muscles work. Did you never know where your gluteus medius was before? Get ready to find out – and get a lot more information about your body in the process.

You become addicted to cheering.

People will tell you to put your name on your t-shirt for your first big race, and you might think: What's the big deal? But I'm telling you now: do it. After maybe the elementary school swimming meet, there aren't many times in your life when you have people on the sidelines screaming your name. When strangers tell you there is “only one more mile!” or to “crush these hills!” You will be shocked—yes, actually shocked—at how much her words inspire you. And you may be wondering how you can share that inspiration with everyone around you.

You are completely undertrained.

I don't want to scare you, but there will come a time in your running career, er, life, where you get a little overtrained as you pile race after race. At first you might run for fun or for exercise, but it will still feel new. You'll want to tell everyone about every run. Fair warning: This is recommended unless the other person is also a runner. In this case, she will tell you about each run.

Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Do you know what's better than a runner? TWO runners! No one is more motivating than a person discovering a new talent or hobby, and the giddiness new runners feel is more contagious than spring fever. (Confession time: When I meet someone who has just started running, I try to keep them talking for hours so I can soak up all their energy and excitement.)

You will see how you become stronger.

Finally, the biggest thing. The biggest reason to be jealous of new runners is the feeling of witnessing their growing confidence. Something happens when you do what you thought was impossible. You change the opinion you have about yourself. You think: If I can run, what else can I do? What might be even more powerful than the runner's high is the runner's afterglow, which propels you far, far past the finish line.