So the key to running happy for me is finding a balance of alone time and group runs. I find that a true running buddy increases the happy on long runs.
Don't get me wrong, I love an open road and a quiet run. I can easily tick off miles "sola" and carefree. But a tough run with a great buddy can be very motivating.
Over the past year, I've gained an unexpecting running buddy and friend. I'm typically a pretty positive runner, but training can take a toll and my buddy knows just when to turn on her positivity to make any run successful.Prime example: One hot, humid day I found myself alone and almost out of water in my pack. I was at the point where I was in tears and wasn't sure what to do. I had miles still to run, but I just was on the verge of losing it. So, I randomly sent Jessica a text to see if I could borrow her hose(I was within a mile or two of her house) to cool down and fill up my pack. I made it to her house and there she was.... cold water waiting for me and her bike out to keep me going. She rode along beside me the rest of the way and made sure I safely got back to my house. She willingly gave up her afternoon to make sure I was safe and able to finish my run.
Pic is from another day Jessica rode with me. I was not smiling after the run from the story above! No pictures from that ;)
Jessica was looking for a fall marathon this past year. She had multiple options but chose to run her marathon at the same location as my 50 miler. It was a low key event and I'm sure she could have enjoyed a bigger event. She not only PR'd her marathon but then came and found me on course. It was a needed push and I'm very thankful for it.
(Photos of our finishes! We didn't have a pic together! :-/ )
A great buddy knows when to push, encourage, and stay quiet. When you run with someone often enough it's just a feeling you get. An unspoken agreement and Jessica and I seem to know what the other needs on the run. I feel lucky to have that. She recently shared this fun concept "The one with the freshest legs has to be the one to stay positive!" I want to practice the joy in having dead legs and a positive spirit. Totally possible.
I hope I can be that great running buddy for her and others along the way. Especially joining her on her first 50k. That will be an exciting day for me. What can you do to be an ideal buddy (even for your nonrunning friends) today? Who can you push, encourage, and share joy with today?
