Friday, September 11, 2009

CLOSET RUNNERS

That's what I call runners who don't tell me (a runner for over 20 years) that they run. No, they just slink around and say nothing. Its a little irritating at times, since how long have I been looking for running partners, and right under my nose practically there are at least a half dozen women I work with who have started running within the past 2 years? I suddenly find out when Jan says she is mentoring a group to do a half marathon in October. I'm not jealous of this, don't get me wrong. And of course right now I do not have time in my schedule to follow theirs, so while they all make Wednesday evenings a girl's night for running, I continue running alone.

All the women are younger than I am, and of course are doing nothing else but running, so we are fairly evenly matched with pace, considering I always have biking or swimming to do as well. Today again I overheard a woman who is running with this group that she only started running 2 years ago. I've also found out that one of the women is pretty fast and runs 5ks regularly. Who knew??

Despite this, I am really happy that FINALLY we are getting some women runners here in the office again. When I first started running years ago, we had several. We even had a women's team that competed in road races (cross country scoring) and won several events. But one by one, they either left to work elsewhere, stay home and have babies, or completely stopped running. Its been a long lonely stretch by myself so once I am done with the IM training, I look forward to joining this group for some running!

And it has been a lot of fun watching their excitement as they make progress on their mileage goals. They are learning that the body will do what the mind lets it do.

5 comments:

Lily on the Road said...

hmmm, you are on a totally different journey right now, but isn't that neat that there are some runners amongst the co workers....

Hard to believe that is was a year ago we were headed off to T.O. You've come a long way baby!!!

Missy said...

I find it hard to pick up with people when you have specific training goals in mine. I don't mind being pushed or pulled, at times. But when I have a specific something on my workout plan it becomes problematic. I do the majority alone - good for the mental game, no music either.

Anne said...

Living in San Diego, *everyone* is a runner so it's almost assumed in an office. But there are some who are more gung-ho than others. I was at a party yesterday and all the outspoken runners spent the entire time talking about races and injuries and training. Made me see myself in a different light as someone suddenly on the outside.

I bet those women were pleasantly amazed to find out what a dynamo you are.

A Plain Observer said...

they might be intimidated by your thriathlon experience. I have had a hard time finding running partners and I am not fast but some women feel intimidated nevertheless because I do marathons, etc. Fools, I just want to run with someone!

ShirleyPerly said...

I'm envious! I have yet to find any regular running partners and also usually running alone. No one wants to run around noon when it's 90 degs, imagine that ...