Reason for Running #9 --- Friendships

Running is a sport that can be approached from many different avenues. Many people run for the solidarity and time to reflect on the day, while others run to be a part of something that is continuing to grow among the world. I have mentioned before my reasons for starting running were centered around getting in shape for soccer, but I really started running after high school. That is when I started to understand the sport better and I had an amazing support and motivational group all around me that I never knew were there. First and foremost is my family, my father especially, he and I were able to become the best of friends through running. We could talk about anything during our runs together, usually things that were bothering me or football, but we still became closer in those first few years that I got him into running.

Then there was Jeff, one of my best friends and running partner, quite possibly one of the most driven and crazy runners that I have met. We had our friendly competitions and we were very encouraging to one another. He ran a marathon long before I did. Through him I met the group that my parents refer to as "The Running Bee" (like the Quilting Bee for runners). We called them this because during there runs, I don't think they ever ran out of stuff to talk about, encouraging us younger runners and challenging us in races (its bad when a 19 year old gets beat by 50+ year olds, but it happened...alot), this group was very tight knit group and they welcomed us with open arms, teaching us what they knew and telling us stories. Doran and I still remain friends and anytime I ask him, I am sure he would be willing to go for an easy 8 to 16...(no Birtha Hills authorized). Jeff and I then met Adrian who was not quite into running the way that we were, but he quickly picked up on the running fever that we had and became all about the competitions and races...and I know he loved beating me in his hometown race in Jasper and then the several races following. At one point he had become a part of the goal my father and I set to run a race in every state, but circumstances came between our friendship and unfortunately cut out a wonderful running buddy from my list of buddies. Who knows maybe he will get back into the racing scene and finish the states... My running buddy list died out as we all started getting older and going our separate ways, however, others have come into the picture.

Helping others is also a great way to build lasting friendships, sharing your knowledge, experience and drive with others helps to keep them motivated and staying with the support. And running with people of various levels and abilities help both you and them stay on the path of a healthier lifestyle. Starsha has been a supportive running partner who will call me up for a run when I am least wanting to do it, but she manages to convince me that we can do a couple miles, which in turn ends up being 4 to 6 and I feel great at the end of the run. She also likes to push competitions quite a bit, like running a race every month and such. I think she is just hoping to beat me and more races means more chances. She even made me run a race hurt to increase her chances...Okay so I did that on my own, but still...

Each of the people I have run with in the past and those that I will run with in the future hold a special place in my running career and have impacted me in one way or another. There was the group that helped me get back into running and lose my weight that I gained over the years I took off, the group that encourages me to race and push myself, those that encourage me to get out the door on that dreaded lazy day, and those that need me to help them get started or stay motivated. There is almost no end to the possibilities of friendships that can be started through a simple activity such as running.

Run On! Bring a friend along...