One of my favorite things about running is the running community, especially our community of Rebel Runners in Run Your Best Life. Being part of a team of amazing woman who are working their asses off to be the best versions of themselves is such an inspiration to me. Since I started back to running in 2016 and became part of this fierce tribe of women, I have made some incredible friends whom I never would have met otherwise. People like Amanda who, luckily, doesn’t live that far from me. We met up at a race last weekend and it was so great to run together, encourage each other, share ideas for our training, and talk about our lives and families. The 5K was over before I knew it, and it was so much fun!
Because of this group, I now have friends across the country, from Oregon to New York. From Kansas to California. From Texas to South Dakota. And everywhere in between. There is no one in the world like runners. They are some of the most encouraging, fun (all those endorphins!), and real people. When people tell me about other people in their lives who disparage their running or have not-so-helpful opinions about how fast they run or how long they run, I always say, “They aren’t runners, are they?” And the answer 100% of the time is NO! If this sounds familiar, maybe you need to find your people.
I also have my local tribe of women whom I’ve been running with for years, even during the break I took from running between 2014 and 2016 (we’d walk or get coffee). We know everything about each other because what else can you do on those long runs other than talk? And talk. And talk. It’s like a therapy session every time we run.
That being said, I also really love running alone. I don’t have to worry about anyone else’s pace but my own. I am not alone very often, so it’s nice to be alone with myself. Especially since I learned the thought model and learned to manage my mind better. I like being alone with my thoughts now, and I am not afraid of them. Four years ago, I would have laughed if you said that. I was the girl who had to fall asleep with the TV on so I didn’t have to lie in bed in think. I was the girl who couldn’t run alone because I wouldn’t hold myself accountable to do it out of fear of being alone with myself. Now? It’s bliss.
Do you have a tribe? Are you a tribe of one? If you don’t have a group of runner friends, I guarantee you’ll find your people in Run Your Best Life!
See you on the path!
Jen
I have an amazing tribe of women in my life. I found the Moms/She Runs This Town Green Bay chapter about a year ago. They are incredible. I also love this group. So many inspiring women.