... when there are permanent blood stains on your T-shirts where your nipples were rubbed raw.
... when every T-shirt you own has a race name and sponsors list on it.
... when you come back after an hour-long run and your spouse says, "That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon."
... when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.
... when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but rather ask you when.
... when your family plans vacations based on where your next marathon will be.
... when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your (non-running) family and friends about something other than running.
... when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major holidays, but never the date of your next race.
... when your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts because they know it for sure.
... when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast before your family even wake up.
... when pasta is the only food you'll eat two nights before a race.
... when you have two eggs, two pieces of toast, a slice of cheese, a glass of juice, and a yogurt for breakfast and are hungry again by 11:00 a.m.
... when your only recent photos of you alone are race photos.
... you're giving directions to someone and you tell them it's just 5k up the road.
... when you think applying medical tape to your nipples is just a routine, everyday procedure that is perfectly normal.
... you are still eager to run and to learn about running every day although you've been running for more than 30 years!
... when the only time you call your mom and dad is to tell them about your recent 10k time.
... when even your church shoes have something to do with Asics, Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Brooks, etc.
... you always wear running shoes, your old running shoes are now walking shoes, you have a pair of running shoes just for racing, a pair of trail running shoes, two pairs of trainers to alternate every other day, and you know the exact kilometres of them all. Nothing like the smell of new running shoes in the morning.
... you wear your running clothes for pajamas as to not waste any time getting out that door in the morning.
... your running partners know more about your bodily functions than your significant other.
... your Facebook or Twitter updates frequently involve running.
... one of the first things people ask you when they haven't seen you in a while is, "What race are you training for now?"
... you pack more running clothes than bathing suits when going on a vacation.
... when you hear PR, you automatically think "personal record", not "public relations".
... you own more pairs of running socks than dress socks.
... you know where exactly one kilometer from your front door is (in any direction).
... you spend more time researching running routes than local restaurants when traveling to a new city.
... you no longer hate port-a-johns. In fact, there have been times when you've been very happy to see one.
... you know where your illiotibial band is located.
... you know how to take a cup of Coke from a water point without choking on it or spilling it all over yourself.
... the salespeople at your local running shop know you by name.
... you have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes.
... you get an invitation to a wedding and you automatically think about what race the date will conflict with.
... you have a drawer full of medals and other race souvenirs that you're not sure what to do with.
... you smirk when non-runners ask you, "So how long is this marathon?"
... your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, "When can I fit in my runs?"
... applying medical tape to your nipples is just a routine, everyday procedure that seems perfectly normal.
... you can say things like "I'm just running an easy 10 k today" and you really mean it.
... when every T-shirt you own has a race name and sponsors list on it.
... when you come back after an hour-long run and your spouse says, "That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon."
... when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.
... when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but rather ask you when.
... when your family plans vacations based on where your next marathon will be.
... when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your (non-running) family and friends about something other than running.
... when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major holidays, but never the date of your next race.
... when your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts because they know it for sure.
... when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast before your family even wake up.
... when pasta is the only food you'll eat two nights before a race.
... when you have two eggs, two pieces of toast, a slice of cheese, a glass of juice, and a yogurt for breakfast and are hungry again by 11:00 a.m.
... when your only recent photos of you alone are race photos.
... you're giving directions to someone and you tell them it's just 5k up the road.
... when you think applying medical tape to your nipples is just a routine, everyday procedure that is perfectly normal.
... you are still eager to run and to learn about running every day although you've been running for more than 30 years!
... when the only time you call your mom and dad is to tell them about your recent 10k time.
... when even your church shoes have something to do with Asics, Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Brooks, etc.
... you always wear running shoes, your old running shoes are now walking shoes, you have a pair of running shoes just for racing, a pair of trail running shoes, two pairs of trainers to alternate every other day, and you know the exact kilometres of them all. Nothing like the smell of new running shoes in the morning.
... you wear your running clothes for pajamas as to not waste any time getting out that door in the morning.
... your running partners know more about your bodily functions than your significant other.
... your Facebook or Twitter updates frequently involve running.
... one of the first things people ask you when they haven't seen you in a while is, "What race are you training for now?"
... you pack more running clothes than bathing suits when going on a vacation.
... when you hear PR, you automatically think "personal record", not "public relations".
... you own more pairs of running socks than dress socks.
... you know where exactly one kilometer from your front door is (in any direction).
... you spend more time researching running routes than local restaurants when traveling to a new city.
... you no longer hate port-a-johns. In fact, there have been times when you've been very happy to see one.
... you know where your illiotibial band is located.
... you know how to take a cup of Coke from a water point without choking on it or spilling it all over yourself.
... the salespeople at your local running shop know you by name.
... you have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes.
... you get an invitation to a wedding and you automatically think about what race the date will conflict with.
... you have a drawer full of medals and other race souvenirs that you're not sure what to do with.
... you smirk when non-runners ask you, "So how long is this marathon?"
... your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, "When can I fit in my runs?"
... applying medical tape to your nipples is just a routine, everyday procedure that seems perfectly normal.
... you can say things like "I'm just running an easy 10 k today" and you really mean it.