A note of thanks

The Daily Mission question over at dailymile.com yesterday was "Are you for / against / or neutral on running related bumper stickers? For example 26.2 ovals, 13.1 ovals, Ironman, or ULTRA ovals"

It generated a bit of high spirited conversation on the twitterverse. Most of the tweeps/daily milers/facebook fans responded that there is no problem with being proud of one's accomplishments and if they want to get a bumper sticker to that fact, who does it harm?

But I'm not writing to weigh in on that question.

There was, of course, a contingent of athletes who pooh-poohed such emblems saying either that a half marathon wasn't really all that significant or that it is unbecoming to brag. I was intrigued that such opinions were out there and did a little more digging around via google. What I found is that there is a small but vocal groups of runners that disparage the recreational and fitness runners.

But I'm not writing to weigh in on that question either.

What I want to say is this. I love being a runner. I will always be a back of the pack guy. I will never win a race, never win my age group and probably never accomplish what some may see as recognized achievements. I'll never qualify for the Boston Marathon, for example. I'm ok with that. Because running not something I feel I need to master or be the best at.

I am a runner who will always be on the sidelines of the conversation and never really part of the gang. I participate in the online community of runners as a perennial wall flower. And I love it. I love reading other people's race reports and training log. I love to read about other people's accomplishments. I quietly celebrate their achievements. I don't know what a tempo run is or the significance of a series of repeats, but I love reading that those I follow share that online.

And I love that many in this community have taken the time to stop by here and say a few words or send me an ataboy on Twitter when I share about my 5K experiences.

This is where the questions of stickers and accomplishments have taken me. When I see a car with 26.2, I feel lucky to be part of this community--even when I am too heavy to actually be out there running with them in spirit. Even when I know I barely make a blip on many runners' radar.

To those runners I follow on twitter or have friended on Daily Mile, and to those who have followed me back and taken time to drop by my little blog here, I say thank you. You inspire me. Every day.