What's the real line between runner and jogger

Keith Stone wrote:

Pace has everything to do with runner vs jogger, you slap on a race number you're a runner if you run 7:00 or faster, if all you do is loop around the neighborhood you're a jogger if you go slower than 7:00 pace.

Fixed this one too.

we're getting somewhere with that last reply.

joggers jog whenever they feel like it. Usually when it gets warmer, or sunnier. Or when they have extra time.

runners run b/c of some strange call of duty. driven by the need to improve. runners run at any hour of the day and constantly schedule their life around running. When life gets in between, they make the time for a run earlier, or later. They bring running shoes to business trips, and vacation. They run where they can, even around airports. They often derive happiness from the completion of a tough workout. They run for the challenge. Only a few select runners are fortunate enough to care/worry about their competition (that is, the ones who are fast enough to place). Most runners are slower, and whether they run a 16:00 or 25:00 5k, they just want more. One final point: regardless of their finishing time, they end their 5k TRASHED. When you give your best, you don't pose with a bright smile for the finisher picture.

You're welcome.

ToJar wrote:

When the alarm rings at 4:30AM and you get up and run your scheduled 15 miles in the cold, freezing rain, you are no longer a jogger as long as you run faster than 7:00 a mile.

Here is the difference:

A runner is everyone who is faster than you.

A jogger is everyone who is slower than you.

Relativism for the win!

Joggers are people trying to get into shape. Runners are people who already are in shape, and are preparing for competitions.

Anyone who uses the term "jogger" in reference to anyone is a jogger. Anyone who is actually a runner knows that there is no such thing as a "jogger".

According to the guy that says runners run sub 7 minute pace.. I ran 14:19 for 5k not too long ago, and I run slower than 7 minute pace everyday.

I don't know if this has been said since I only read the op, but the destinction has nothing to do with time. A 60:00 10k person can be a runner, just like a 36:00 10k person can be a jogger. "Runner" and "jogger" are both terms which can be described but not defined. A runner likely wears running shorts while running, knows the 1500 to mile conversion, and can name at least a few WR holders' names. A jogger likely wears sweats or basketball shorts while running, doesn't realize 1600m is not a mile, and has probably never heard of Bekele. I could go on, but you probably get the point.

That's just how I look at it anyway.

Just what I said but much better. There's your answer.

Guppy wrote:

I don't know if this has been said since I only read the op, but the destinction has nothing to do with time. A 60:00 10k person can be a runner, just like a 36:00 10k person can be a jogger. "Runner" and "jogger" are both terms which can be described but not defined. A runner likely wears running shorts while running, knows the 1500 to mile conversion, and can name at least a few WR holders' names. A jogger likely wears sweats or basketball shorts while running, doesn't realize 1600m is not a mile, and has probably never heard of Bekele. I could go on, but you probably get the point.

That's just how I look at it anyway.

I like this assessment--all about level of commitment to/interest in running as a sport, not just as a vehicle for losing weight or getting in shape.

As for me--call me a runner... call me a jogger. I'll keep doing what I do because I love it, whatever the "it" is called. I look forward to interval workouts. I run (or whatever) in the rain and cold, run (or whatever) when it's in the 90s. It's something I can't imagine giving up.

I also like to learn as much as I can about how to improve (although no contender), about the accomplishments and lives of the best runners (so I'm always looking for books and films related to running).

Mainly, I just don't want to be called injured. I've been that enough times.

For runners a run is not interchangeable with a bike ride, elliptical, swim etc.

Two answers:

1. I always thought that runners are people who race, joggers are people who don't. In other words, runners are people who primarily hope to get faster; joggers are people who primarily want to get fit.

2. I also always felt like 8 mins/mile was a jog. Faster than that and I'm really running; slower, and I'm jogging. Don't get me wrong, I do most of my easy days at a jog, but when I was competitive I thought I was a runner. Now I know I'm a jogger :)

100 miles per week.

I'm a former D1 sprinter/jumper who now supplements my track workouts/plyos/weights with slowish runs of 3-4 miles to mix it up a bit and help stave off the effects of a slowing metabolism. Am I still a jogger?

Physiologically there is a difference between running and jogging. Running is a series of small leaps. At any time no more than one foot is on the ground and between each stride both feet are off the ground.

When jogging you imitate the form of running but you don't have to stick to the rules above. You may find that both feet touch the ground. You may also find that a foot may always be touching the ground. Your upper body, hips, and knees behave more like running than like walking during a jog.

So, I would say that you are a jogger when you're jogging and a runner when you're running.

An entry blank

i kinda like running wrote:

I don't think it's a matter of pace, but rather a matter of effort and motive. If you train your ass off in order to improve your 5k time as much as possible over a prolonged period of time, but you only manage a 22:30, you're a runner. If you just dick around at a casual pace for a few miles, 3-4 days a week, and occasionally enter 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons, etc just to say you finished, you're a jogger regardless of your finishing time.

Of course, I think times can be strongly correlated with effort and motive, but aren't necessarily the line in the sand.

This is correct. Running to run better defines a runner. Also, if someone actually does try to run better, chances are they will at least be able to run faster than 8 min. pace.

Of course, there are people who do actually run hard in their local 5k and can't break 8min. pace, but that's because they probably aren't training significantly for it. If they really wanted to be good at running, they would probably want to be "in shape" for the race. If they really did have that mindset, they would probably be able to run faster than 8 min. pace because of consistent and serious training.

If you were to ask my intellect, I'd probably tell you it depends on the intentions of the athlete. Someone who runs every day and does workouts on the track and cares about their race times could be a runner even if they are very slow.

But if you were to ask my gut, I'd say it's probably once someone can run sub-18:00 for 5k that I think of them as a real runner. For example, if a random guy in my office were to run 23:00 in a local 5k, I probably would just think to myself that he jogs a few times a week for fitness. But if I checked the results and saw that a co-worker ran 17:45 or something, I'd think to myself - wow, I didn't know Tim is a runner. Let me go ask him about his training.

There's something about 18-anything that screams to me - slow. Don't know why. I look at it and think 6:00 pace (because of the 18) when actually 6:00 pace is much slower.

I started to call myself a jogger after the first time I came in to these boards and got a feel for what true runners are like. From reading the posts I realized that runners are pretty much geeks and intolerant asses who flame behind anonymous names. I would rather be a jogger.