“They” say that running is a solitary sport, and while it is true in the most literal sense because there is no one to pass the ball to, no one to block for you or no team to depend on, I think that whether we run or walk, as an individual or a group, we are all a part of the larger running community.
- A community which acknowledges you with a wave, nod, grunt, or big hello when you pass someone on the trail or sidewalk.
- A community which accepts you at destination races because you all share the same passion and sport.
- A community which rallies around fellow runners to support, encourage, laugh, cry, no matter what, where or when.
- A community which helps you to be your very best.
When you meet new people do you check out their shoes or watch to see if they might be a runner or walker? How many of us feel an instant kinship with those who pass us running or walking at “Zero Dark-hundred”? Who waves or honks when we are in the car and we pass runners or walkers (and wish we were with them instead of heading to almost anywhere?)? Who else would go up to perfect strangers in a distant city and tell them that they liked there skirt, shoes, watch, headband,,,,,,,,and ask them “where did you get that????” Others who aren’t runners and walkers don’t always understand – why we are up early or go to far away places to race or are willing to lose our toenails or change our eating/drinking/sleeping habits to participate in this sport. But we know, we know that we are part of a community which understands us and in which we feel comfortable and we belong.
We are so fortunate to be a part of this community where speed, age, gender, doesn’t matter, where we have an instant connection with people because we run or walk, because of the shoes you wear or the watch you use, where everyone is welcome and there are no strangers.
So the next time you pass someone on the trail, sidewalk, car, give a nod, grunt, wave or a big HELLO, those are your peeps, all a part of our larger running community and our family.