Reaching out

This week I decided I needed running friends to help motivate me. As mentioned before, I have many friends and co-workers that run in marathons and 5ks. I very been sharing my progress with them and they have given me insider tips. For example: Invest in an armband or waistband to keep my phone and/or keys in, listen to upbeat music, stretch BEFORE and AFTER, and drink a lot of water. Discussing helpful tips with my avid runner friends motivates me to continue practicing. Each of them has shared frustrating stories with me which makes me feel more normal and like I'll be able to do this. Since, I have face to face interactions and online resources, I feel more overpowered as a runner. I do not feel like I'm depending on someone or like I have to use 100% of the advice I'm given. Instead I try different things and see what works for me.

On the flip side, I also have some friends that would like to learn the skill of running; however, like I was, they do not know where to start. This week I asked one of my friends if she wanted to walk/run with me. Walk/run intervals (I learned from my running app "Couch to 5k") are important to do when starting off as a runner because it helps to build your endurance which helps you run for longer distances and time (according to the About Heath website). Jen agreed to trying out walk/run intervals with me, so we set up a time and place to meet and completed 4 miles! I was proud of both of us because it was the middle of the afternoon and hot. Plus, we only were supposed to do 2 miles but completed double that! Side note: I decided that intervals are a good strategy for me because I feel accomplished and don't get as winded because I take breaks. Running or walk/running with someone who isn't a runner is new for me because we both have the same goal. I do a little more research than she does about running, but we are definitely both equals when start hit the trail. 

It feels good to have people to reach out to and discuss different things that work and things that don't. It makes me feel more like I am starting to belonging in the running world.