My Running Friends
I spent my Thanksgiving in Charleston which is about a 5.5 hour drive from Atlanta. We left on Friday afternoon because my husband had to work Saturday (he's in news), but also because I'd signed up for a 5k Saturday morning.
Sometimes people think I'm crazy for all the races that I do. Why on earth would I want to get up at 5am and pay money so I can run? Honestly, I can't explain it. It's just something that I like to do.
My husband is not a runner. He'll run on the treadmill a few times a week and he's done a couple 5ks after some heavy persuading from me, but the idea of getting up early to do a race does not appeal to him. While he will accompany me to some races (he works weekends, so it's hard for him to do so), a lot of the time, I go alone.
I don't necessarily mind going to races by myself. But it's not really the same feeling when you cross the finish line and just walk to your car and leave.
That's why I'm so grateful that I have running friends.
As I questioned my sanity driving 45 minutes north of Atlanta to the Zooma 5K in total darkness, I knew that when I got there, I'd see three shiny, happy people - my friends Tina, Lindsay and Kristy who were quite possibly even crazier than I am because instead of doing the 5k, they were doing the half marathon.
Most of my running friends are friends that I've actually met through blogging. I've had a "healthy living" blog (for lack of a better term) for almost four years and throughout the time I've written there, I've met a lot of other local (and not local) people who have similar interests as me and we've become friends.
Those similar interests include getting up at 5am to run races!
After I finished my 5K (2nd in my age group! I have no idea how that happened!), I waited around for the half marathoners to finish. Although I had to wait over an hour in the brisk November air, I knew that being there to cheer on my friends would make it all worth it. The last push of a race is hard (especially this one which had a cruel, uphill finish!) and seeing a familiar face at the finish line really helps you keep a smile on your face as you cross.
(Yes, that's champagne in our hands. I think all races should give out free champagne, don't you?)
What about you... Does seeing a smiling face at the finish line make the experience better for you?
