Hmm, I'll tell you what I think of that comment.....well, no I won't. It wouldn't be appropriate.

Instead I will just leave you with one of my favorite quotes from John Bingham:

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."

Run on!

I would give a cold stare and say "Well, it sure felt real to me. But I do hope you feel better about yourself now".

Not only are you are REAL runner, but I would hazard a guess that you are REAL-ER than they are.

Running for three minutes when you are heavy and not used to running is not just HARD it's like CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST!

How do I know? Because when I started running, six months ago, I thought running for one minute was just about the hardest thing I had ever done.

I literally thought I was going to die when I hit the five minute runs. I had to repeat that week THREE TIMES.

And, last night on the track there was a sweet teenager who I think was embarrassed to pass me because she was walking faster than I was running-- but she didn't know that I didn't care, because I felt like a complete ROCK STAR for running at all.

So, not only are you a REAL RUNNER, but the feelings of joy and accomplishment for achieving your goal of running for 30 straight minutes may well trump any of their feelings of accomplishment.

You go! I'm officially awarding you your REAL RUNNER's badge tonight.

Wear it with pride.

I would consider myself a runner. I've considered myself a runner since I regularly started putting on my running shoes and going for a run. Whether it be treadmill or outside, I started by running a mile and a little bit and taking frequent breaks (I could run for about 5 minutes without stopping and weighed 150lbs then). Now I'm training for a half marathon and hey, guess what, still consider myself a runner.

And like so many people have pointed out, everybody starts somewhere. No one was born able to run 6 miles at a time. You work at, just like anything else. You start where you start.

I think it's awesome you're that committed to running and bet you'll be running a full 30 minutes before you know it. Anyone who says you aren't a runner because you don't experience it a certain way is full of crap. Someone once said to me that real runners don't run with music because they don't need it. I say, I can't run without my music and I'm still a runner.

But I do encourage you to try running outside when you're comfortable doing so. It's less physically demanding on the treadmill (I find,), but being outside is a completely different experience. You might end up really enjoying it .

.... Well said

Nantucket -- I gasped when I read the heading... Ignore them and keep on runnin' baby!!!!! Treadmill or outside ...

Whatever. It would not phase me one bit if somebody else thinks that I am or that I am not a runner. Yes, I think that running on a treadmill is somewhat easier but many people need to start on a treadmill in order to be able to start running outside. How many chicks here on 3FC started WALKING first on a treadmill and then progressed to running, and still keep running even after they lost weight?
Then there is the weather factor. Yes, some people will run in any kind of weather and I have nothing against it if that's what floats their boat. Myself, I hate humidity with passion and there is no chance I would do any exercise if it was not for A/C.
Also, I got my treadmill in the middle of an exceptionally bad Canadian winter. We had feet and feet of snow (not inches), and everything was icy. Ideal weather for running outdoors, right?

So no matter what some people think, you ARE a runner. Disregard their opinions and keep running!

I have ridiculously bad knees, and love to run. I can't DO pavement...not no way, not no how, without being in pain for days afterward. I bought a treadmill with a very springy tread area so I would be able to run. I sometimes do the 1% incline trick to mimic the effort of outdoor running, sometimes I do not. Does that make me not a runner? Not even a little.

You are a runner! Ignore the naysayers and keep up the great work!

Oh pfft. Here is an athlete who's won marathons and did a lot of her training on treadmills. http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/o..._Christine.asp.

It looks as if she lived in Alaska while she was training. I live on the cold prairies of Canada (well, they're cold in the winter) and I have to do treadmill running too...although I prefer to be out there xc skiing as long as it's not -30C.

If you are running, you are a runner. Who gets to define a "real" runner anyways?

Although I agree you should try running outside sometime... it's a different experience

Jeff Galloway does entire marathons with intravals (similiar to the C25K model). I finished C25K last week doing the treadmill during the week and road on weekend and fully consider myself a runner (as does my half-marathon/triathlon running husband).

How do you ladies run on a treadmill? I've tried and I can never seem to get the speed to a place that will allow me to run/jog....I don't know. haha So I just walk, but I'm really interested in the c25k.

And let the snobs be snobs. Haters gonna hate...

Oh my, people are ignorant! Where DO they come up with these things?

Tell you what...I have been running exclusively on a treadmill and will be running outside with my son this afternoon for the first time. He is on week two of C25K. He usually does it with Dad, but I'm stepping in today. I'll let you know if I still feel like real runner afterwards.

Running is running is running! I'm so proud of your accomplishment and I'm so glad that you are too!!

Stuffed Bunny, my best friends speeds hers up and increases her leg speed while staying on the machine. I jump off, increase the speed, watch the belt for a few seconds and then jump back on. It depends on what you're comfortable with I think. I run anywhere from 4.3-5.0 (comfortably ) My friend runs at 4.0. Does any of that help?

TY all so much for your support

OMG Eliana you are so munch more talented then me-If I did that I would fall on my face, lol I increase mine from my 3.0 walking to 4.5-5.0 running while walking on it. Something else I can't do very well is get off the belt and stand on the edges like you see them do on the biggest loser all the time-I tried a few times and almost landed on my ***, lol

Certainly doesn't hurt! Thanks, I'll try some different methods. Do you use a incline or anything?