When Running and Friends Collide

ROTErs do Disney (I’m on the far left)

Ernie and Deb – Epcot

What happens when you find yourself talking to running friends on a regular basis online – even when you’re in different states? You get together whenever you can….especially on vacation! I knew I wasn’t a natural runner and to keep myself in the right mental shape to take on running longer distances – that I needed some extra motivation. For me, that came into play when I found some running friends online.

I am surrounded by people who run 5k’s, 10k’s, 1/2 marathons and marathons on an ongoing basis. This keeps the running mindset in focus for me. Talking about running often helps me want to keep running, and inspires me to want to try harder, do more and try things I had never thought of.

- Running friends taught me how to plan races behind your next to keep you going.

- Running friends taught me how to understand what it felt like to bond with other runners doing the same thing as yourself.

- Running friends taught me how to believe in myself when I was struggling.

-Running friends taught me to keep going when I wanted to stop.

- Running friends taught me that it’s okay to be slow, just keep trying.

- Running friends taught me how to support and guide others in their running journey.

…..and running friends taught me that they talk about food and drink all the time! haaaaa — donuts, pizza, nachos, happy hours, margaritas, beer, you name it – and it’s dangerous and contagious and if you don’t keep it in check and actually eat all the things they talk about, you’ll be in trouble….thx gang!

Lastly, my special group of running friends taught me that the bond you can create while training is an incredible thing. These are just a few of my running friends….and man, oh man….do I adore each and every one of them.