The following is a magazine article about people taking up running. MAY 7, 2015 CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE A RUNNER NOW Hey, buddy! You're receiving this letter because I recently saw you choking your way through a one-mile jaunt around the neighborhood. 'It's spring!' you thought. 'Maybe I'll go for a run!' You laced up your sneakers, and you got out there. You did it (barely)! I'm Marcus, the senior associate running ambassador at 'Runners, Runners, Everywhere', and I'll be your go-to guy for life as a brand-new runner. This will be a challenging time; you might even be asking yourself, as you're lying on the floor, perspiring through your high-school-volleyball T-shirt, ‘Am I a runner?' Yes. Yes, you are. You're one of us now, and it's important that you tell everyone you know about it immediately and purchase the required gear. We certainly can't have you running in that again. First and foremost, know that, as a runner, you are an athlete. You are not just shedding those winter pounds. Those people go to the gym. You went outside. Attached is a list of running groups in your area. They're all ready to welcome you with open arms, and won't all sprint out of sight two blocks in, leaving you to find your way back to the designated meeting spot. All paces are welcome!!! Your next step is to get yourself to a running-specialty store. We at 'Runners, Runners, Everywhere' have experienced exactly what you're going through (albeit, like, a really, really long time ago). So drop by! I'll have you run on a treadmill while wearing a pencil skirt, because you came all the way uptown from work for this. I'll use scientific expertise to diagnose your stride. I'll also hook you up with running socks, headbands, underwear, and tank tops that cost eighty-six dollars; trust me: they make a world of difference! Next step: your first race. It's an important decision every runner must make, one that will establish how committed you are to your new life style. A 5K? 10K? 8K? 6.2K? Runner to runner, just go right for the half-marathon. This will set you up with a super-long training schedule, meaning more weeks to talk about it on social media. Which, I cannot stress enough, is one of the key aspects of being a runner. If a runner collapses in joy at the finish line but no one Instagrams it, did she collapse at all? Post photos plus commentary on your morning run, your evening run, your vacation run; show us your kit, your medals, your post-run celebration. Let us see your sneakered feet-on grass, on sand, on the snow, on a track. Share it all! Everyone you know is incredibly invested in your new endeavor. Plus, when people see your progress you'll inspire a whole new crop of runners. They'll think, 'If that idiot can do it, I can probably do it.' You could be that idiot! And please visit us at the shop once you've completed your half-marathon. We'll give you a congratulatory certificate and a list of full marathons to sign up for. After you've completed one of those, we'll upgrade your membership to Actual Runner.