I have a real hard time with deciding if I consider myself an athlete and I often beat myself up when I miss a workout.  I know that “they say” if you run, you are a runner!  It took a really long time for me to agree to consider myself a runner.  Especially when I was so unhappy with how I looked and felt.  I felt unworthy walking into a running store.  I didn’t really want to speak with anyone.  Afraid I would embarrass myself, I never asked questions or interacted with the amazing people that work at running stores.  I still tell myself that one day I am going to show up to a  group run, but have yet to do so.  For the most part, I do some sort of workout six days a week for at least a half hour.  I never feel like that is enough.  I increased it to an hour a day over the last couple weeks.

My son says I research way too much sometimes.  (Don’t tell him, but sometimes he is right about that!)  I have been researching beginner triathlon plans.  In my readings I somehow ended up getting a link to a book called “Level up your life” by Steve Kamb.  I can’t remember the exact quote or if it was from his book or blog, but he said something about not letting the decision making process help you avoid making the actual decision.  That really resonated with me, because that is exactly what I was doing.  I knew I could not afford a trainer right now.  I am putting myself first in many ways, but was not going to over extend our finances.

For the triathlon, I decided to follow a training plan that Garmin has.   The “problem” I have, is that the workouts almost seem too “easy on me”.  Now, I am totally judging them without even having tried any of the workouts yet, but how can it be a challenge if a  run is for 20 minutes?  How can a bike ride be a challenge if it is less than an hour?  Oh, by the way, the swim part, that is terrifying!  I don’t care how “easy” that one could look on paper.  I know the pool grows the moment you get in!

I won’t consider myself a triathlete until I do a triathlon.  I am ok with calling myself a runner, but should I consider myself an athlete?  Or do I need to generate a paycheck with athleticism to be considered an athlete?  I think I will take baby steps and call myself a runner who’s trying to become a triathlete.  Yeah, I am ok with that one.

Do you consider yourself an athlete?  What makes an athlete?  Share your thoughts below.