All for Run, and Run for All: Running Clubs
There’s a quirky scene from the movie, “About a Boy” that reminds me of what it’s like to run with a new group.
It’s the part where Toni Collette’s character, a divorced mom, joins a single-parenting support group. The members end the meeting shouting the group's motto in unison, “Single Parents Alone Together! (SPAT!)”
Although I'm thankfully not a single parent, I AM a busy parent and can relate to that funny scene in so many ways.
In both parenting and running you have to do the work yourself, BUT it sure feels better and goes a lot quicker when you do it surrounded by others like you.
Thank God for my mom friends AND my running partners.
What would I do without you?! 
No Runner Left Behind ...
Being with a great group made all the difference during my recent trip to Charleston.
I went with several of my Columbines friends. We got along well and helped each other along the way — much like the spirit of our running club.
Our race trip came about because Carol, one of our friends, has a goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states, and she invited us to join her. We booked our flights together.
The race was scheduled for Saturday. We traveled on Thursday. We were supposed to take a connecting flight through Chicago and arrive in Charleston by 5:30 p.m.
When we got to O'Hare our southbound flight to Charleston got canceled due to a snow storm in Chicago. We spent several hours stuck at O'Hare before we could fly out again.
Oh No, Oh Hell, O'Hare ...
My friends and I worked as a team, re-booking our flights and mapping out the logistics together. We got into Charleston during the wee hours of Thursday night/early Friday morning. We rested on Friday, bought groceries, cooked together and planned out how to get the race start the next day.
Not All Running Clubs Are Created Equal ...
I have belonged to other running clubs throughout the years and I've learned this: Not all running groups are created equal.Here's the irony: Although no one can run for you, we're still social creatures. Most of us seek the company of others when we do it.
Why?
Different runners are motivated for different reasons but many of us prefer a shared experience and it's more fun than going at it alone. We bond and form friendships with others during our group runs. I know that is especially true with female runners.
Also, I know if I am looking to run harder or faster I'm more likely to do it with a running partner or group than when I try alone.
For new runners a group can help you get started or keep you going.
Here are several DOs and DON'Ts that make running clubs successful in my view:
DO listen to members and their needs, especially if you are a club leader. Have a variety of runs and events to meet various people's interests.
DO encourage people of all paces and abilities to join, and make sure they have people to run with them. DON'T let cliques or only the speedsters dominate. This will turn people away.
DO have a welcoming or mentoring group within your club. This can make a HUGE difference. Imagine how you would feel if you showed up at a run for the first time and no one said hello, or talked to you, or ran with you. Would you go again or join?
DO make sure all your runners get back safely if you're having a group run. DON'T assume anything.
DO mix it up — offer fun runs, clinics, social outings, and races for people to participate in if they want. Again, different people are motivated for different reasons, and give them choices and options.
You get the gist. Now get out there, yourself, and have FUN.
Some Mea Culpas and My New "Streak"
The other day in my post, "Strange Brew" I wrote about drinking and running. I want to offer an apology to my friend Pam. I didn't mean to mislead or misrepresent her in my writing. My point was to illustrate that different runners have different strengths and what works for one person may not work for another. Sorry Pam!!
Also, I didn't mean to sound negative in my Charleston race report about my finishing time. What frustrated me at the end of that race was not feeling my best, not the numbers on the clock. Every marathon finish, in the end, is a good finish, regardless of how fast or slow one does it. It ALL counts.
Last, I want to share my newest goal with you: "Streaking."
Starting Jan. 14, the day I ran the Charleston Marathon, I began my "running streak." My goal is to run EVERY DAY for the next year — until Jan. 14, 2013.
So far I've run 12 days in a row.
That's all for tonight. I'm working on some new Boston or Botox profiles and hope to deliver them soon.
Until then, bueno bye and keep it moving forward, all.
"Striding Partners Alone Together!"
SPAT!
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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!
Mileage today: 6; Mileage for 2012 thus far: 98.3.
As runners, the reason we race is no so much to beat each other, but to be with each other! Great job Danica!
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Quote from "Born to Run"?
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Another great post Danica. I just love your writing.
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Mike, you are very kind. Thank you for your friendship.
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