AKA lying. I have total respect for someone who wants to improve their life, but you dont need to lie, just be honest with yourself and others. the author even admits to it:
> We become a runner when we start running a few days a week. An amateur one, a beginner in the world of runners, but a runner nonetheless.
so you are not a "runner". you are an "amateur runner". and thats totally fine! I personally am an amateur runner. I dont go around telling people I am a runner, because at the end of the day, all I would be doing is lying to others, and lying to myself. Its OK not to be perfect at something from the beginning. just stick to it and try hard. when you really feel you've stepped up to that next level, then sure, go ahead and remove the "amateur".