Playing Well With Others

I usually run solo. Probably 98% or so of my runs have been all by myself. Today I branched out and ran with some guys from church. It was kind of cool since they're newer to running than I am, and it's groovy to see how running has helped others. We ran north from church a couple of miles and then back, where I split off and kept going so I could get in a good 8.5 miles. It's been awhile since I ran so far, but the first half of that really did go faster with the company.

This being KC there were rolling hills and cool wind, but overall it wasn't too bad a day to run outside. These are the folks I'll be joining for the half-marathon in April, and I think they'll do fine. At one point I was talking with one of the guys who has never run more than 8 miles, but in just over a month he will doing quite a bit more than that. It brings to mind how I used to think an 8-miler was a huge deal. I still remember my first run that covered that distance, and by golly it was a big deal. Now I reel off 6-milers as my short runs, but it's nice to be reminded how much work it takes to get to a distance I almost take for granted now. And that helps me realize the effort others put into it, and how much hard work it takes for them to get there, just like it took for me. It also helps me realize even though I've done a few marathons I'm still no running god and never will be. Just like these other guys and millions more like them, I'm a dude who laces up my Asics and heads out every few days to try and stay fit. We all have our reasons for doing it, but at the core we're all runners. And runners are generally good people to hang out with. If I can encourage a few others along the way then so much the better.