We're all in this together

If you competed in high school or college, let's take a quick trip down memory lane.  You had a group of people to work out with every day, to cheer you on during races, and pick you up if you fell.  Remember spaghetti feeds before a big meet? Nowadays, many of us are going it alone.  Think how much stronger we'd all be with a little encouragement.  Because of the competitive nature of racing, I think we inadvertently push others down while we should be pulling them up.  If you are honest with yourself, you might find yourself guilty of at least one...

How are we hurting each other?

Down playing your own accomplishments

"I'm only running the half-marathon."  

"I ran a 49 minute 10k.  I did horrible." 

 "I ran 10 minute miles when I was pregnant...can you believe I ran that slow?!"  

While you very well may feel this way, think about the fact that whomever you are talking to might be ecstatic to finish a half marathon, or even one mile! They might be thrilled to run it in 10 minutes.  The fact is we are all different.  We all have different goals.  BUT we are all runners and deserve to be treated with respect.  Think before you speak.

Jealousy

I get it.  Many of us are competitive, type-A people, and every time you enter a race, you are competing with others.  But for many of us, isn't the most important person you race against yourself? Most of the runners I know are wonderful and hard working people...just like me, they are working hard to achieve their goals.  We want the exact same thing...to better ourselves and stay healthy.  Where is the hate in that?  Wanting what someone else has is not in itself a bad thing.  It can encourage you to work harder or try to accomplish a bigger goal.  By try to spin this in a positive way so you don't hurt the other person or yourself.

Complaining about people who post their workouts to social media

Are they bragging? Who cares! These people are out their getting it done, and really, why can't they be proud? And maaaaybe seeing that Jonny Blue ran 15 miles will motive you to get a workout in? Either way, send a 'like' their way and let them know that you get it.  It's hard getting a workout in before work.  It's probably equally as hard getting one in after work when you're exhausted. It's hard to find time to work out with children.  It's hard, period. For all of us.

_____

Even with the changes of becoming a wife and mother, these last few years have been pretty good running wise.  There could be many reasons for this, but I really think that my family and friends have been instrumental in helping me move forward. Though it might seem that running is an individual sport, it is anything but.  Although I do not have too many chances to run with others, I have several people in my life whom help me each and every day.

How can we help one another?

Hold each other accountable  Getting up at 5am is horrible. I very rarely get up for a run unless someone is waiting for me.  During the time period when I lived in Scottsbluff, my friend Caleigh and I ran every morning all year at 5:15am.  -5? No worries, just wear a face mask! (Are you kidding?!) Nowadays, that sounds crazy (even to me!).  My husband is ridiculously good at getting up early.  His alarm goes off at 5am and he's up. I lay there tossing and turning for a bit before I decide that if Philip gets a run in, I better too.  Who wants their husband to one up them?  The same thing goes for weekend long runs.  My sister Emilie, Philip, and I are all running the half marathon and follow a similar training plan.  If one of us misses a run, everyone else will find out.


Cheerleaders
Be on the sidelines-The only thing more fun than actually competing in a race is watching my friends and family run.  The last two years, I was pregnant during the Lincoln Half-Marathon and was able to drive around the course with my parents cheering Philip and Emilie on.  Each year Philip has completed the distance, he's run faster.  It is so incredible to be able to witness this and cheer him on.  Encouraging messages-You don't even have to physically be at a race...phone calls, text messages, 'likes' on facebook...each of these methods help the runner to know that others care about them and want them to do well.  I also saw that a couple of my friends were given a gatorade with a cute 'good luck!' message attached...this idea doesn't cost a lot, but is very heart warming.


Celebrate successes/get through hard times
Sometimes runs and races and fabulous.  Everything goes exactly right and you nail a PR.  Other times, you feel terrible and every plan you might have had was thrown out the window.  It helps so much to be able to go through both with others.  I always try to remember that without bad races, it's hard to really appreciate the good ones.


We can do it, guys! Let's work together and achieve great things! Happy Running! :)