In my last post I told you I'm a runner. The truth is I'm fairly new to running and am extremely slow, which is probably why people feel the need to cheer me on. I've been running, at a very slow pace, since last March. This is currently the longest I have ever stuck with any form of exercise. I think the reason has a lot to do with the running community. I have never experienced anything like it. The support, encouragement, and positive feeling amongst runners blows my mind. My husband, a swimmer, tells me the swimming community is much the same, and I imagine other groups are as well. I began with a couch to 5K program and was very much on the couch at the start. A neighbor who saw me on the go invited me to join a local Facebook group called The Moms Run This Town. A more inspiring group of women I have yet to meet. Many of the group are experienced runners with myriad races under their belt but there is no feeling of superiority, simply support and kudos given to each members accomplishments on the road, no matter how small they may seem. It is no wonder to me why running and races have become so popular. There is so much goodwill at the events I've been to you can see how people get hooked. And the good feeling doesn't just help other runners. Most races support various charities putting all those endorphins to further good use. I'll admit part of my enjoyment of the sport comes from being able to get out of my house for a short while a few times a week, but I think the real reason I've stuck with it so long is the support and inspiration I've found in the running community, especially through the Moms Run This Town. I hope I am able to inspire others the way they have inspired me. It's just one more way we can each make a difference.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2913348690/">mikebaird</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>
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