I used to hesitate before calling myself an endurance athlete. That term sounded serious, like something only for people who run ultra-marathons or complete Ironmans. Then I started to think to myself, all the events I participate in are endurance sports, so I guess that makes me an endurance athlete, right?
What Even Is an Endurance Athlete?
Technically speaking, an endurance athlete is someone who trains for and participates in sustained physical activity that challenges their stamina and aerobic capacity. Think long-distance runners, cyclists, skaters, swimmers, hikers—you name it.
But here’s the thing, for me, it’s not about how fast you are or how many races you’ve won. It’s about your ability to keep going when your body and mind tell you to stop. That’s what endurance is: persistence, grit, and pushing through.
So, by that definition? Yeah… I think I qualify.
Why I Fit the Definition
- I train consistently. Since the summer of 2024, I’ve been training more regularly. I’ve even created my own workout schedules.
- I sign up for endurance events. I’ve done duathlons, inline skating marathons, long bike rides, and trail runs. Some have been easier than others, but they’ve all forced me to dig deep.
- I’ve shifted my mindset. I used to just work out to stay active. Now? I train with intention. I set goals. I track progress. I want to get stronger, faster, and go farther.
- I keep pushing. Endurance athletes don’t settle. We challenge ourselves, test strategies, and constantly look for the next goal. That’s how I approach life in general.
Endurance is Mental, Too
There have been many times when my body said, “That’s it,” and my mind was the only reason I kept going. Every time I sign up for an event, my priority is to finish. It doesn’t matter if I’m the last one to cross the finish line (actually, I don’t want to be the last one). Completing what I said I was going to do is what matters most to me. It’s my mind that helps me get through those long bike rides or those difficult trail runs after my body wants to tap out. Don’t get me wrong, my mind is also saying, “Why am I out here? Why did you sign up for this event? You should have just done the easier route.” But I turn those thoughts down and focus on pushing through and seeing the light at the end of a long 100-mile tunnel. Seeing the positive instead of the negative.
Owning the Title
For a long time, I thought “athlete” was a title you got while in school or on the professional level. I saw myself as a person who just did these endurance sports. But nah. If you train for endurance, you are an endurance athlete. There’s no speed requirement. No podium necessary. Just the effort, the consistency, and the commitment to keep pushing your limits.
So yeah, I’m an endurance athlete. And if you’ve ever questioned whether you are too, let me make it simple: if you show up, put in the work, and keep going when it gets tough, then you are too.
What About You?
Have you ever hesitated to call yourself an athlete? What experiences have shaped your view of what it means to be an athlete?