Check out this post on Running Commentaries from yesterday. Loved it.
When I started training for my first half-marathon back in January, I was doing it all alone. I just wanted to complete it. Originally, the idea of running a half-marathon came from other bloggers, I was reading about everyone elses running journey and I wanted to be there too. Running became a top priority when I was training for my first half. I stuck to the schedule and slowly running turned from something I HAD to do, to something I LOVED doing to something I cannot imagine NOT doing.
Recently, I’ve started meeting people through running. It started with the trail group I run with on Saturday mornings. From that group I met another girl my age who lives near me and we’ve started running together once or twice a week. Then I branched out and joined another running group that does speedwork on Wednesday mornings. When I did my trail run last weekend I got to experience the racing environment with people I knew and ran with. It was a completely different experience than going to races alone.
For the longest time you guys were my running partners. I told you about my runs, I talked to you about running advice, injuries, shoes, everything. Now, while I still have this outlet and I still LOVE reading running blogs, I now have people in my “real” life who get it. They understand that I don’t want to go out on a Friday or Saturday night because I’m going running the next morning. They get why I keep running even though my feet are covered in blisters. They understand 5:00 am mornings. It’s refreshing. It’s fun. And it’s keeping things interesting for me.
More than trying to get “it”, I have this deep fear inside of me that one day I will lose “it”. I’m terrified that I’ll get too busy or too lazy and running will fall by the wayside. All of the hard work, sweat and blisters will have been for nothing. I’m terrified of not being able to say that I’m a runner, and mean it.
This is why I make running a priority. This is why I get up at 5:00 am and hit the pavement. Not so much because I WANT it, but because I don’t want to lose IT.
Here I am with my trail running group:
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Having a group makes Such a difference - I just started doing this about a month ago (meeting up with a group) and it’s just another reason I’m attached to this city (DC)
There are always new people, which is refreshing too! With your attitude, I think you’re pretty far away from ever “losing it”!
That’s awesome that you have found a running community. I am going to join a group at the Running Room here in Minneapolis - probably not until September. I am afraid of being the slowest girl there! I know I need to just ge over my fears and do it, though…
I know what you mean about the fear of not being able to call yourself a runner. I fell off the wagon in grad school which is a time when I probably needed running more than ever. But now I’m back w/ avengence. And I have made a vow to myself to never let it slip out of my life again!
We’ll just have to keep each other motivated & ‘on track’. Ha.
i get what you’re saying…. right now I’ve been so crazy with work (yes i fault my job). to the point I cannot get up at 530 but i do get up at 630, i’m way too tired these days or if i go for a run after work…. i take time away from boyfriend, and truly we don’t see each other that much and we live together! Every week I have at least 2 or 3 days that i work over time!
I’m hoping it’ll all subside come august and i can get back into my running routine.
I’ll be MIA from commenting the next few days… but i’ll read them all when i come back!
Aww I am so happy that you found such a great group of ppl to run with, it always sounds like a blast!
Yep…. I love my running buddies. I’ve made some of my bestest friends running!
Like you, I love that they GET IT. My non-running friends call me the fun police, because I’m always bailing early on Saturday nights so I can get up to run on Sundays!
Great post!
I hope I have a group someday!
You = awesome.
Running groups are fabulous for exactly that. These people will not be confused when you can’t come out for a drink bc you have to get up early for a run, or will understand when you can’t go to dinner at 6pm bc running comes first. IT just works in a runners life to have a running group, in my opinion. Plus, it’s a great new way to meet people.
I soooo know what you mean! I think I just have a general fear of reverting to old ways when the couch sounds better than hitting the pavement. I think with the help of the people around you, whether it be friends, family, blog friends, you’ll be able to stay committed. And you know what I tell myself when I think about what if I lose IT? I think about the fact that I WANT it, and so it’s not going to go anywhere. We have to believe in ourselves
ps: the girl to the right in the pic looks like me if you look REALLY quickly, because I always wear a shirt of the same color when I work out
That’s pretty impressive that girl on the right can keep up with you all! ok… I’m guess she doesn’t actually run with ya’ll, but it would be amusing if she did!
Thanks! Great post and I totally know what you mean. But I think that because you love it, and can’t live without it that it’ll be a part of you. The key is to keep it as a priority and remind yourself why you love it. So great.
Same here. I’m only on my 2nd month of running and don’t ever want to give it up. I want it to be a regular thing because of all the positive effects it has on me. Last weekend was also the first time I ran with someone. Before, I was only sharing my stories via my blog and email to family and friends back home.
I love that picture! Everyone looks so healthy and happy. Plus the trees are magnificent!
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