Before I moved to the Netherlands, I remember asking a former exchange student about the Dutch running culture. "Nobody exercises," she declared. "No one runs or does anything outdoors." I was dismayed to hear this, but happy to realize she was completely wrong. Amsterdam is full of those seeking better health. Whether it's biking, running, or walking the dog, inhabitants do their best to improve their well-being, even in the rain.

Over the past year I've become more and more of a regular runner. Because of this I am much more aware of the other runners that inhabit the city's streets, and I've come to recognize several prototypes:

1) The hard-core marathon trainer: This person is usually wearing next-to-nothing in freezing temperatures as they pound around the city for hours at a time.

2) The get-in-shape-together couple: Very cute. Usually dressed in 10-year-old sweats, they loop around the Vondelpark, stopping every once in a while to kiss and hold hands.

3) The lone runner: Not as intense as 1), and much less sappy than 2), this exerciser is working towards a personal goal, whether it be to make it two minutes without stopping to gasp for breath, or training for their first road race. To me, this is the most inspiring sight.