To what?
This running culture.
I keep track of how far I run.
I set little goals for myself every time I go out.
I don’t run with one App, I now run with two.
I take a picture at the end of my run and add the stats at the bottom. Like this, today:
Speaking of my run today — I’m pretty sure it was my first sub-30 minute 4K and my first real tempo run. After the first 5-10 minutes and the first hill, I lengthened my stride and started feeling my quads burning. I made sure to keep the pace up to build up the lactic acid, and I think I did a pretty decent job, all things considered (the ankle injury is better, but then I got a nasty left shin splint and now the hamstrings are tight).
I haven’t run a marathon, or a half, or even a 10K. I will probably never enter a race; I don’t feel the need to.
But I still think I’m a runner.