Four Men and a .... Conversation

Community. 

What does the word mean to you? 

I've always been an advocate of community-building, whether it was  my  own classrooms over the years (hormone-driven, narcissistic preteens were the toughest audience!), a workshop setting, or  a  team/department  that  I was working with.

Merriam-Webster, my favorite online go-to source for definitions, defines community as "a unified body of individuals, society at large, or joint ownership or participation." 

In the past year, I've had the pleasure of learning about the blogging community, and what an awesome experience it's been!  In recent weeks, community has taken on a whole new meaning as I've settled into my running group.  Wow!  

Who knew it would be so much fun running with others???  

And just as Hubs predicted, I've found myself wondering: 

Why did I wait so long to run with others??   

He knows me well! 

I find myself thinking frequently about this newly-learned lesson  about running, so  when  I see others running in a group, I'm no longer puzzled and perhaps a bit envious, but instead, knowing!  I get it!  I get why they run together ... !  

Talking about ....... the day, the week, last night's TV show, tomorrow night's date, the kids' soccer game, training struggles, training triumphs, family woes, vacation stories, memories,  learning that you  lived in the same place many years ago (small world!), favorite running shoes, favorite fuel, shoot - favorite (and not-so-favorite)  anything running-related(!), races run, races planned, running fears ......  

And the list goes on .....  

So when I pulled up to the redlight on my way home the other day and saw the group of runners .... four men and a conversation .... I knew.   I instantly related.  I knew what they were probably talking about.  And I watched as they comfortably jaunted along, crossing the street, winding around traffic, chatting and laughing.  Community.  I get it now.  A unified body of individuals... all running for the good of the group.  Each supporting  the other.  Each bringing himself  to  the group.  To  the Community.  If  only  all  runners could be so fortunate .... (you can!)

Many of you have left comments on  my  posts about the new training group and about wanting to try out group running or try specifically Galloway training, but you're uncertain.  I say:  YES!  Go for it.  I was there.  I understand the Fear and Anxiety of running with others.  But now I understand  the sense of  Community even better!  Finding your pace group makes all  the  difference.   

Haven't tried running with anyone yet?

Find a few peeps you'd like to run with ....

Invite them out for a run (and breakfast?).

Are you local and run slowly?

Me, too!  

Send me an e-mail.

Let's plan a group run and breakfast.  

*I'll bring the donuts!

(Inside joke for my FB buddies!)

You in?  

 Find a group.  Be part of the conversation.

Build a community.

Happy (group) running, friends....

Robin

Own your journey.  One run at a time.