Friday, February 28, 2014

It Takes a Village...

...to build a happy runner!
Many bloggers have written in the past about the many people that work together to get a runner to the starting point...their doctors, coaches, PT, chiropractor, etc.  This post is different.  Yes I'm injured...in case you didn't know...because it's not like I talk about it constantly...but I'm not going to talk about getting over an injury.  Instead I have been thinking about the things that go into building up a happy runner! 

Yesterday I attended a preview of the new Spring line by Oiselle at a local running store, Bayside Runner.  As an aside, you should really check out the new line because it is awesome!  The fabrics are so soft and comfy while having really great style and colors!!  If only my wallet were thicker!  There were a handful of local runners there and we spent our time checking out the clothes while chatting up races...upcoming runs...fun times...everything our families are tired of hearing day in and day out!!  When I got home I was wired...happy to have had a great time around some awesome lady runners! 
It got me thinking...thinking about when I first got started running...thinking about how being around other runners feels...thinking about what being a solo runner is like at times.  I know many runners, myself currently included (although I am trying to schedule that to change) who run solo all the time.  My BRF Jill is a rockstar and she is training in this harsh NE winter solo on her way to London this April.  However....
The miles pass faster...the weather doesn't seem as awful...the task ahead isn't quite as daunting if shared with others.  I know that my increase in speed before Aubs was largely influenced by my running group...running with others who are fast made me fast too!  When I am able to do my long runs with Jill, the miles click by, even in the craziest conditions, quickly.  Races seem more exciting and it's always fun to recap every step of a race with someone who is just as excited as you to listen. 

Sarah and Dimity call it a tribe...some call it a group...others call it family...whatever it is to you gather it together!  New runners check out local running stores for running groups or pub runs.  AMR Connect is also another place to find other runners in your area.  Do what you can so that when you need a village to get you out the front door...or to the starting line...or across the finish line, they will be there as all good villages are!!!

Do you have a village?  Or are you a lone soldier?  Anyone else get wicked amped up after being around other runners?

8 comments:

  1. I am usually a lone soldier. I do like running with others; it does go by much faster. However, I like to just get up and go when I feel like it and to not have to coordinate with other people, especially since I have been flaked on or made to wait a few times, so I am kind of jaded about it... However, when it does come together, it is fun!

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  2. I do have a running club www.PeoriaSoleSisters.com but I run alone. a lot. Most of the time just due to schedules... and in winter, it's just hard to find other peeps willing to run outside. Of course, with kids, I'm not the most flexible - I see a run window and shoot out the door when I can. :) And honestly, I don't always want to "chat". Running is my quiet meditation time, and I like it that way most of the time. I'm usually game for a group run once a week and that's enough for me to feel a kinship.

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  3. I'm both it really depends on what I need out of a run and my mood :) Running is so great in that way, we can have a team or be solo.

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  4. I run alone most of the time. It's just easier for me because of schedules and the time of day I run. It would be great to find a running partner!

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  5. Great post. My running started with just my husband. I then ended up totally solo. Then I found an amazing running partner who made me so much faster. We have run in storms, sleet, ice, dark, light, you name it. And it never seemed as awful having someone else sharing it with you. She moved and i'm back to solo and have mixed feelings. I loved my solo runs when I had a partner - maybe I appreciated them that much more but also solo runs make you really appreciate a friend. I am actually working to put together a running group for runners in my area. I've never really run with a true group before.

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  6. I loved this post. Yes, I have a group of girls I try to run with but because I'm stuck inside until the podiatrist says I can tackle snowy, slippery routes, I haven't been able to run with them in forever. I miss it. It's silly but my favorite thing to run to on the treadmill used to be a movie or hulu but now I run to this app that is a 10k in Central Park. I like seeing the other runners. Silly, but whatever works.

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  7. My husband is my community!! I couldn't do it without him. Other runners totally amp me up! That's why I'm not the greatest race spectator. I want to run not watch :)

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  8. I usually run alone, so my dog is my running buddy. I was sad when my sister moved, it was so nice to have someone to run with. My family is so awesome about watching my kids while I run, I couldn't do it without them for sure. It is helpful to run with someone else. I always assess new people in the neighborhood to see if they will be a runner. no one ever is. not that many people live out this way though ;)

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