How I Became “That” Girl

This weekend, as we laid out on our beach towels in the gentle Maine sun, we got to talking about running.

After all, three of us were running a half-marathon the next morning, one of us had qualified for and run Boston a few years back, and the other was her running buddy. We couldn’t help but talk about running.

I’m not usually one to brag, so Lizzy did my bragging for me.

“Theo’s lost 50 pounds and started running about two and a half years ago. She ran the Chicago Marathon and is now training for the New York Marathon.”

“Oh, so you’re one of those,” the running buddy offhandedly said.

Someone else might have taken offense to that, but I didn’t.

Sure, I haven’t always been a runner. I’ve been running for a lot less time than I spent not running, but I’m a runner now.

Sure, it might be a little cliché to lose weight and take up running, but I don’t really care if it’s cliché or not.

I love to run because I love the accomplishment of running 5 miles before work or running 15 on a weekend or achieving a goal I’ve been working towards for months.

Sure, it keeps me strong and healthy and helps me maintain my weight but that’s not why I started and that’s not why I keep it up.

I run because it keeps me happy and grounded. Logging those miles helps me put into perspective what’s worth crying over and what’s just spilled milk.

I remember when I started losing weight vowing to myself that I would not be “that girl” as I was trying to lose weight or once I reached my goal weight. I would not get crazy about it. I would simply lose the weight and move on to the next big thing in my life, whatever that would be. To me, “that girl” was the girl who lost weight and ran marathons and competed in triathlons. I never wanted to be a cliché.

Oops.

There are worse clichés to embody.

25 comments on “How I Became “That” Girl

  1. Jennie

    I’ve lost 40 pounds over the last (almost) two years, with another 20-25 to go and I credit running for almost all of it, not just physically but keeping me mentally strong to bounce back after setbacks and motivated toward a goal. You’re totally right, there are worse cliches to be! I’m running my first half in December. I hope to be a cliche soon too 🙂

    Reply
  2. Alyssa

    I think I’m also on my way to becoming “That” girl, I can hope at least!

    75lbs, one 10k and one 5k down so far and I find myself plugging my email address in for “more information” about signups for 10 milers next spring and wondering if I can get down to 0:58.00 before my next 10k.

    Clichés be damned!

    ps. I was in nearly all of the same places you were in Maine this weekend, since I was visiting my family in Scarborough. When I said “omg guys! one of my favorite bloggers is around Maine this weekend!” I was met with blank stares, but I don’t even care 🙂 Congrats on your PR in Freeport!

    Reply
  3. Toni

    Can you elaborate on what cliche you’re talking about? I’ve never heard of a “that girl” being someone who just takes up running to lose weight. And if you are, so what? Seems weird to me that other runners would judge people for that. Am I missing the point? 🙂

    Reply
  4. Paige

    I don’t get it…no one comes out of the womb a runner. We all have to start somewhere, don’t we? I think it’s great!

    Reply
  5. Amanda

    I totally want to be “that girl”…all though that wasn’t always the case. When I lost 50 pounds during high school, I just wanted to look good and did my best not to sweat, now 10 years later and trying to lose 25 pounds, I also want to feel good. I started running at end of May and last night I ran 4.5 miles Friday I am running my second 5K in as many weeks! I am so looking forward to being “that girl” because she is awesome! Cliche be damned : )

    Reply
  6. MP

    That comment wasn’t about you. Maybe she was voicing her insecurities for whatever reason. You should be proud of all that you have accomplished and don’t spend another minute thinking about others negative comments. Run your race!!

    Reply
    1. Theodora Post author

      @MP: Oh, I know. I just thought it was interesting, because I’d definitely thought that in the past about others.

      Reply
  7. Kali

    It’s weird, I often forget about the weight I lost before I started running seriously. I feel like “those” people are the ones that let their weight loss define them. The ones that brag about it and how much they’ve overcome since beginning a weight loss journey. If people didn’t know me before or didn’t read my blog in the beginning, they’re usually shocked to find out that I lost 90 pounds in a year and a half. If you don’t let it define you, you’ll never really be “that” girl. Whether you’ve been running for 15 years or 5 months, you’re doing good things for your body and doing what you enjoy. That’s what matters.

    Reply
  8. Lizzy

    For a little more context although Theodora’s brevity….

    While the five us were walking back from the beach, the woman Theodora is referencing bumped into a girl she used to know who was running. After they chatted, she came back to our group and said that the girl used to be much heavier and now runs and was “one of those.” This caught me off guard and I called it out to Theodora who said she doesn’t mind being that cliche the girl was talking about.

    More power to you Theo!!! I think you rock. If a cliche is someone who loses fifty pounds, keeps the weight off and runs marathons then so be it! I think it’s fabulous. And so are you.

    Reply
  9. tiffany

    that’s kind of rude. they can’t judge you by your reason to run. you’re running and staying healthy, and that’s all that matters.
    actually, it’s probably more empowering to run and lose 50 lbs because weight loss takes a heck of a lot of will power if you ask me!

    Reply
  10. Allison

    That’s a great accomplishment and you should be proud to be “that girl’! Keep it up! I took up distance running after I finished playing sports competitively and it’s become my “therapy,” aka my escape from my daily to-do’s, my “me” time…

    Reply
  11. Han

    I think you’re amazing for not being offended by a comment like that– I know I would have been. Who cares why or how you came to running in the first place, like you said very well you keep running because you love it, and at some point the weight loss is just cherry on the sundae.

    It’s like when Black Swan came out, and people started getting interested in classical ballet, that ballet “snobs” everywhere turned up their noses and said “I’VE been into classical ballet for YEARS.” Who cares?!? Shouldn’t they be glad that a mainstream movie brought interest in an art form?

    Keep running– because you love it, and because you can.

    Reply
  12. Koko @ KokoLikes

    I really loved this post, I am inspired to run more because I read your blog and know that somedays you don’t love it (like me), but you push through and always complete your goals. I love that you are a runner, truly inspiring.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer

    There are far worse cliches to embody, and becoming this particular girl is not one of them! I’ve lost 50 lbs. and the running bug has totally bitten me! I completed my first half marathon and now, as I try to lose another 50 lbs., I’m training for my 2nd half and dreaming of a full marathon one day. Go on being that girl!!

    Reply

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