I’m a lucky runner and I recognize this. I have beautiful coastal paths and trails to run on. I have a lot of running friends and meet up with a running group. I don’t have to run alone often and when I do, I have beautiful scenery to take in and usually a podcast I’m excited to listen to. On occasion, I do enjoy a peaceful, solo, headphone free run as well.
I love running, but I asked myself this question the other day – If I had to run on residential neighborhoods alone all the time, would I still run!? What if running meant I had to wake up at 4:30 AM most days to get a run in? I honestly wasn’t sure if I’m that “hardcore.” This gave me the idea to come up with a fun quiz that rates how hardcore of a runner someone is based on their habits and preferences. This is all in fun – I believe anyone who spends time pounding the pavement is a true runner, but let’s be honest, we all know that “super hardcore runner” that we compare ourselves to. In fact, you might consider me one. I’ll share my quiz results with you at the end!
QUIZ! How Hardcore of a Runner Are You?
Get out a piece of paper or a note in your phone and answer the quiz questions below TRUE or FALSE. I know it’s hard to give an answer one way or another one some of these, but do your best and if you’re leaning one way, pick that option.
- I regularly do speed work, tempo runs and/or hill repeats.
- I have at least 3 races on my schedule right now.
- I make A, B, and C goals for my races.
- I would still run regularly even if I could never run a race again.
- If I have an important run to do and did not have access to a treadmill, I’d still run outdoors even if it was raining when I started the run (not sprinkling, really raining – your shoes would be soggy).
- If I had a speed workout planned with friends and they canceled on me, I would still do the workout on my own.
- If the only places I could ever run was the same loop through my neighborhood or on the treadmill, I’d still run regularly.
- I almost always run while on vacation.
- I have run an important race while sick (or would).
- If running usually meant I had to wake up at before 5 a.m. to run in the dark, I would still be a runner.
SCORE YOURSELF – How Hardcore are You?
Add up all the TRUEs you wrote down and find the range that you fall in below.
1-3: The Occasional Jogger. You don’t place a lot of importance on racing and enjoy to go out for a run on occasion for the pure joy of it.
4-7: The Fair-Weather Runner. You are serious about running, but it’s not your life. When it’s inconvenient you may choose sleep or another form of exercise over running.
8-10: Hardcore Runner. Running is a top priority in your life and you can’t imagine what it would be like if you didn’t run. Running is your favorite type of exercise and everyone you know understands how important running is to you.
My score?! A 5! Surprised?
So, how’d you score!? What other hardcore runner attributes would you have added to the quiz?
P.S. You can download my three favorite healthy recipes on my homepage here!
Definitely hard core but would not get up at 4:30 to do it. Huge amounts of respect for people who do though. Would you do if there were not running selfies? ha ha
Haha ! I almost had that as a question (well more like “would you still run if no one knew you were a runner?”) but it ended up getting cut. I figured hardcore runners actually WOULD run without social media right!?
Such a great idea for a blog post!
Thanks!
I scored a 9 LOL…..but if a treadmill was my ONLY option…I might not be embracing “hardcore status” anymore. I love running, but not THAT much.
Agreed!
I’m pretty hardcore but I hate running in the rain and I definitely don’t run when I’m sick. Priorities!
Yes I answered no for those two as well!
I’m at the top of the fair weather runner range, but #10 is my life!
I’m a 10. Hard core to the max. Ha! Fun post. 🙂
That is hardcore!!!
Love this. Apparently, I’m pretty hard core. I love my treadmill, would run in the rain and almost always run on vacation.
Haha it was fun to write!
I’m pretty hardcore, which is so amazing to think about since just a couple of years ago running was one of the furthest things from my mind.
It get addictive fast!!!!
I don’t have to take a quiz to know that I’m a “hardcore” runner. In fact, some call me obsessed…
I scored an 8!!!! I guess I am hard core!
Great quiz, I’m hardcore. But the treadmill option- ugh!
Such a fun post! I scored a 9 which surprised me. But I think with 4 young kids and a husband with shiftwork hours, running is my outlet and I get it in when I can…hence 4:30am runs, in the rain, while I’m sick, my usual neighborhood route by myself or with the stroller, etc. And I’m usually on a time crunch to get back so I rarely do running meet ups or drive anywhere to run! But I don’t always run on vacation! 🙂