When I first started running, it was a solely solitary pursuit. On occasion, Tim would run with me, but I was so slow that it was painful for him to run with me. I'd strap on my $11 sneakers from Steve and Barry's (remember that place?), don my yoga pants from Old Navy and top it off with a giant cotton Miller Lite shirt I won at a bar.
I think went on my jaunt around the neighborhood. It took me longer to get ready and talk myself into running than the actual act of running. I didn't know how far I was going, nor how fast. I prayed my shoe would come untied so I had an excuse to stop, and looked for houses I could call my husband from to pick me up.
 |
Our first 5K - OctoberFast in Itasca |
I've come a long way since then, but
my first marathon training cycle was also a solo pursuit. Every weekend, I got up at 4 a.m. to run by myself in the dark and beat the heat. It was a scorcher of a summer and when I finished my runs around breakfast time, I would be so soaked with sweat that my Garmin wouldn't turn off - my fingertips were too wet to use the touch screen.
 |
My 4 a.m. 15 miler last summer |
I was ready for a change this year. I started running with the
Western Cook Running Club last year on occasion, and decided I might as well not be a hermit on a treadmill all winter and get out there. I'm so glad I did. Here's what I've gotten out of running with a club:
1.
PRs - I'm faster than ever before.
2. A better palate. This club knows its brews.
3. Acceptance. There are certain thing only other runners understand ... like this apparel choice.
.jpg) |
Making this ski mask look hot (pun intended) |
4. Partners in crime. How else would I have conned people into running
26 one-mile circles one state over?
5. A reason to
beat the blerch. Without a group, I likely would have never left the treadmill all winter. Because every weekend, the weather was just like this:
2 comments:
I love love love our @DickPond running group...the best thing to happen to us ever
Kelly, You're such an inspiration! Loved this read and can't wait to meet you soon. ~Regan
Post a Comment