In the middle of another week of summer weather! Actually, we’re talking mid 30’s°C or higher all week! I really do not mind summer weather but fall is by far my favourite season. As I’m preparing to head out to the Maritimes for my upcoming Tartan Twosome Race, things are seriously getting busy!
This stage in marathon training requires some consistency and the long runs are very necessary. This is when some sacrifices often need to be made, the long run needs to happen. Last week I managed to get my long run in on Saturday (instead of the usual Sunday morning with my running group). I really enjoyed this run. I put a shout out on my facebook page looking for runners to join me on part of my route, hoping to have some company for at least part of it. Two friends responded, so we planned a route to accommodate the pick up/drop off of each runner. I started off with 3km to meet the first runner, we ran 5km together and picked up the 2nd runner, together the three of us ran 10km. We then dropped off the first runner and continued for another 7km or so where we split and I finished the last 7km on my own. It was perfect! I loved starting and finishing on my own, but really appreciated having a mix of company to get through the hours of running.
I absolutely love the running community. I really enjoy hearing about the lives of my fellow runners. We obviously have running as our common thread, but when we are in the company of others over a longer period of time, we get to hear about other aspects of each other’s lives. I have always believed that I am who I am today because of where I have come from. My past has shaped me, not defined me, but played a large role in who I am today. I think the same is true of others. We all have a story, we are all experiencing life differently. I love hearing how others have overcome their past or have achieved different success in their lives. One of the runners I ran with on Saturday just completed her first Ironman and I got to hear a little about her experience while we ran. She had a goal and she worked insanely hard for years to achieve it. She didn’t give up. You should check out her blog and the recap of her experience, it will be worth the read!
This week I will need to get my long run in on Friday. Getting my long run in a day early this past weekend worked out beautifully. It allowed me to have Sunday off, run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, take Thursday off and be out for a very early, long run on Friday.
Do you have a running community? Do you run with a run group? What about online, are you connected with other runners online?
