Are you a little running obsessed? Complete this little scorecard to assess your degree of running obsession. Give yourself 1 point for each sign which applies to you and total up your score to see where you are on the running obsession scale.
| Obsessive Running Sign | Yes = 1 point |
| 1. You have an emergency set of running clothes and shoes in the car “just in case.” | |
| 2. When you meet people for the first time, you can’t help but check to see if they’re wearing running shoes. | |
| 3. When you hear the term ‘bling,’ you think of medals. | |
| 4. You know the exact model number of your favourite running shoes and the different colours they come in. | |
| 5. You have a songlist specifically created for running. | |
| 6. You have more sports drinks than soft drinks in your home. | |
| 7. When you’re driving around and see runners, you envy them. | |
| 8. The last thing you do before you go bed is to lay out your clothes for your run the next morning. | |
| 9. You post your race times on facebook, twitter… | |
| 10. Your wardrobe over the last year has grown primarily via race shirts. | |
| 11. You plan your next trip by using online maps to find running routes instead of the major attractions. | |
| 12. You know the difference between a tank top and a singlet. | |
| 13. You know exactly how to run a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and 20 miler from your home. | |
| 14. You finish your morning run before everyone else in the household has woken up. | |
| 15. You know the mileage of your shoes better than the mileage of your vehicle. | |
| 16. You decide on a weekend trip based on whether or not it can accommodate your long run or it has a race scheduled that you can still register for. | |
| 17. When you tell your kids that you went out for a 10K morning run and they say “that’s it?” | |
| 18. You have enough medals to decorate an entire Christmas tree. | |
| 19. Your laundry load has doubled and consists mainly of sweat-laden running clothes. | |
| 20. When you stumble upon a new hill you mark it down for your next workout. | |
| 21. You’re starting to think about running races in costume. | |
| 22. You pack your running clothes and shoes in your luggage before anything else. | |
| 23. When you’ve left your house for three hours on the weekend and your family doesn’t call the police because they know you’re on your “long run.” | |
| 24. When you see someone running by you, you try to guess what their pace is. | |
| 25. You’re suspicious that tapering is a cruel joke. | |
| 26. You think that the best reward for completing your last race is to sign up for the next one. | |
| 26.2 You’re so running obsessed, you actually read every one of these points to see if you might get a perfect score. Bonus 0.2 for you! |
0.2 |
|
TOTAL |
If you scored…
1 – 5 pts: Newbie Runner
You are clearly not running enough – drop everything and get out for a run now!
6 – 10 pts: Infatuated Runner
Your runs are just starting to get a bit longer and you’re starting to see progress. Keep tracking yourself and you’ll want more and more…
11 – 15 pts: Tempo Runner
You’re starting to get in the groove and you know your pacing well enough that you’re starting to set specific race goals.
16 – 20 pts: Hardcore Runner
You’re on your third hydration belt, but you’re in great shape and you’re loving those long runs.
21 – 25 pts: Elite Runner
You have dozens of running shoes, two running magazine subscriptions and are already signed up for multiple races next year.
26.2 pts: Obsessive Runner
Congrats on making it to the top of the heap and for not making me the “only one” 🙂
Obsessively yours,
Andrew
Related blog articles by Andrew Chak:
- The Diagnosis: obsessive running disorder
- How I really want you to cheer for me on race day
- Race day shirt selection syndrome
Follow me: @andrewchak
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