What does a “runner” look like?

I ask because my officemate  made a comment about it.  “You run?’ she asks in this incredulous voice. “You don’t look like a runner!”

We were standing by the elevators, waiting for one to open and take us down. Apparently, she’d found out from others that I’d been joining races and I’ve been training in ULTRA. I admit I wasn’t too thrilled upon hearing that. Was it my tummy that gave me away? I knew I shouldn’t have had that last donut, dammit. Maybe my flabby arms? My legs? I’m not exactly sporting toned, muscled legs yet although they’re starting to build mass. Even our househelp actually called them “malaman,” bless her heart.

Officemate then goes on to say “Wow I wonder how you look like when you run!”

Before I had any chance to open my big mouth to tell her just what I think of her little question, the elevator opens and we get lost among other people scrambling to get in.

I spent a few minutes nursing a bruised ego.  I know I ain’t no Sigourney Weaver in Aliens,  but I think I’ve come pretty far from those days when my endurance and stamina levels were down to a big fat zero. I suppose, in my heart of hearts,  I WAS hoping I would have at least stopped looking so goddamn sissy.

Then I realized, well,  I AM kind of sissy. Haha. I can’t do even one of those “manly” pushups anymore and when I’m tired of running I walk.  Oh well.  Besides, I’ve only been running seriously for two or three months anyway. I can’t expect to look like a “runner,” whatever that means, just yet. I don’t “look” like a lot of things, anyway, but that’s a topic for another time.