There are four types of runners: the exerciser, the competitor, the enthusiast, and the socialiser. The exerciser is someone who runs primarily to lose weight, to stay in shape, to improve cardiovascular fitness. The competitor runs to improve race time, to beat others, to make a PB (personal best). Enthusiasts run to experience the joy of the day, to feel their muscles working and the air on their face. For the socialiser, running is primarily an activity to bring people together for talking, which is the real fun.

All four types are certainly running, but the internal experience can be very different. The truth is that the enthusiast and the socialiser are most likely to be engaged in pure play – pursuing the activity for the joy it brings. The other two may be running mostly in pursuit of goals – perhaps fast times or fitness – that can take away the joy from the experience and add stress to their lives. If exercisers or competitors feel lousy when they don’t meet certain expectations they have for themselves, what they are doing is not really play. On the other hand, the thrill of competition maybe a necessary and healthful part of the competitor’s play.

Sometimes running is play, and sometimes it is not. What is the difference between the two? It really depends on the emotions experience by the runner. Play is a state of mind, rather than an activity.

Stuart Brown M.D., Play

Well I’m clearly the competitor.

First, I want to apologise for being unnecessarily judgemental to people who go the gym or gym classes and give just 50% of their effort, spend significant swathes of time chatting with others or on their phones. Clearly, they approach the activity as the socialiser and clearly they are enjoying their time – so who I am, this miserable twat chasing after the elusive fitness goals to judge?

Second, I realise it’s ok to be any of the four “types” for any leisure activity we partake in. There’s no better type – it’s really about the end goal. Also, it’s about not being greedy – if you are a competitor, then don’t expect yourself to enjoy every session. Likewise, if you are the enthusiast, don’t expect to be improve at the speed of the competitor or the exerciser.

Finally, I think I really struggle with finding true joy in leisure activities, as ridiculous as it sounds. There’s always a sense of wanting to look proficient at something, be it karaoke, boardgames, tennis, bouldering or even fitness class. I’ve caught myself multiple times in these few days apologising for being lousy (at least from my perspective), worrying about playing poorly or not doing my part. This needs more unpacking.