[sistergoldenhair]

What difference has the help, support, wisdom, and company of other runners or even other people made to your running performance and experience? Has the impact been all positive, or have you had negative effects from others?<br><br>
There are so many instances I can think of, from the rewards of helping friends prepare for their first marathons, to my coach's workouts that I don't completely believe I can do but can do because she believes I can, to looking forward to coming to this site to share the day's workout.<br><br>
Right now I am really missing my long run buddy, who recently relocated to The Netherlands. He was slightly faster than me but generous enough to take many of his long runs easier so we could talk. We are so different in many ways, but ran well and talked well together and the time on the running path flew by. Long runs have not been the same since.<br><br>
Sometimes I don't think this is such an individual sport at all.

 

[roots]

((SGH)) You need a running bud. ASAP.<br><br>
This topic is spot on for me this week.<br><br>
I've been really diggin' my local club this year. We've got a regular bunch on Tues evening and Saturday morning. In marathoning especially, its helped me to have like-minded and goal-oriented peeps. Its amazing to me at how the group dynamic really does shape the runner. For me, at least, having the group keeps me accountable and ensure that I do not slough off a run or workout. Especially during our brutal winter.<br><br>
It wasn't always that way. When I first joined this club, I was paired with the faster group. My first couple months sucked. I went waay too fast for my ability and I always ended up falling back and running alone anyway. Once I figured out whom to run with, its been great.<br><br>
It helps that I have no shortage of running junkies in my neighborhood. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
I imagine that all of this is nothing you don't already know.<br><br>
SGH, I hope you find a long run bud soon.

 

[Buxtehude]

My running has changed a lot since I came to Kick in February.<br><br>
So, yes, it takes a village of sorts.<br><br>
You've all been so inspiring.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

This place has been HUGELY important for Snooze and I as far as getting knowledge from other more experienced people. As far as a running partner, I will say that I could never make it through any kind of a training schedule if I didn't have someone next to me every morning to encourage me, complain with me, stretch with me, etc. I am a better runner because I have to set an example sometimes and sometimes Snooze is a better runner cause if he isn't, neither of us will be <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Sorry for the lovefest, but well, I am justified <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[fox-runr]

<img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> I blame a few oldsters here for my obsession with the marathon.

 

[Alex]

I have all you guys to talk to but in reality no one in my town cares about running the way I do...my XC team usually starts their training a few weeks before the season starts and thinks running in the offseason is not cool. This also leads to me being an incredible amount faster than them in training, so if I want to get the benefits, I'll be all alone. I've come to accept this but I am definitely very jealous when I read about the comraderie(sp?) you guys have with your clubs/partners.<br><br><img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">

 

[jebba]

Interesting topic. Some work buddies (4-6 ppl) get together every saturday morning and run long together. I haven't gone with them because they run faster than I do. But I'd love to be fast enough one day to go with them. Mr jebba and I used to do all our runs together, but he now gets his exercise biking to and from work. Lately, my daily runs are my longed for alone time.<br><br>
That said, encouragement and support has always been important to me. And inspiration. I love coming to this site for that. I worry I will bore my non-running friends with running talk.

 

[Litchfield Hills]

It helps a tremendous amount. In the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum8/HTML/010302.shtml" target="_blank">RR for my last HM</a> (June), Winter used the exact phrase in her report. After a horrifically bad traing run, I recieved nutritional and hydration advice from Pacer. I had purchased a watch from MMoon (after I noted in the thread that mine was busted). CoachT and runninginNYC also ran the same half. CoachT came back out on the course to help pace me in the last 1.5 miles when I was falling apart. And runninginNYC was super supportive as she was recovering from her own effort.

 

[Dankinia]

I don't run with anyone. I work nights so I run on a TM. My family / IRL friends try to be supportive, but they don't really understand why I run. Why I give up time for other things to spend an hour or more by myself in a room running on a machine when I could be out and doing other things. So I really can't comment on having a IRL running buddy.<br><br>
However I have the 30's. They are my running buddies/support system/and virtual friends. (who I hope to meet in person soon) They inspire me to keep going, celebrate my successes with me no matter how small, offer advice, and make me laugh when I am down. Without them I don't think I would enjoy running as much.

 

[Gingerbread]

I love my running buddy because he keeps me going. He's the same way as yours, SGH, he'll go slower so we can talk for at least the first 1/2 of a run, and sometimes the whole run depending on what is going on with his training. I don't think he has any idea how much I appreciate that he does this. It's why I remember his birthday <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
My SO supports my long weekend run efforts, sometimes he comes out on his bike and rides along with me on my last 1/2 of my longer runs and that is so helpful. It keeps my mind occupied when I'm tired of thinking the same thoughts. Other times, he's ready with water or chocolate milk! when I finish. And he always is willing to go out for FOOD NOW when I'm particularly hungry. He's the best.<br><br>
The online support here is great, and I got plenty of good advice over at CR, too. Merigayle is wonderfully helpful and knows a lot. I love that she's so willing to share her insight, and she was the most helpful for me when I started having ITB issues in 2006.<br><br>
I love you guys, too! <img alt="love4.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/love4.gif">

 

[hahaoya]

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