The other day I went running
Wanted to get back to the basics
So I grabbed up my pal Garmin
And her partner, the Asics
And we ran alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I run alone
I prefer to be by myself
One of the things I love best about running is that I can do it by myself. Yes, in general, I like the other humans who populate this planet, and I think runners are awesome. But I like having my own schedule. I like that if I linger a few minutes too long drinking coffee before heading out for a long run that it doesn't affect anyone else. I like not having to worry if I am going too fast or too slow.
I like not being responsible for anybody else but me.
In my regular life, both as a mom and at work, I have to organize other people all the time. Much of the time, it falls on me to make sure everything gets done and gets done right. It's a relief not to have to do it when it comes to running.
And yet...
While I don't long for a group to go running with, I do wish that I could get together with some other runners after I go running. We'd eat a big pile of carbs and have super nerdy running related conversations that non-runners could not even begin to feign interest in.
Well, thank Yoda for the internet. It might not be my dream pasta binge with friends, but I can talk to my BRF's any time about the excitement of a new pair of shoes, how I rocked out last night's track workout (which I totally did, by the way, and I think I might be secretly Kenyan), and how upset I was when my knee was bothering me. And I get just as excited about the races my BRF's are running as if I were there.
Thanks to BRFs, I get the solitude and independence that I want when I hit the road with my friends the Garmin and the Asics, but I still have other runners to geek out with. It's the best of both worlds
12 comments:
It truly is the best of both worlds. I never looked at it that way so thank you for posting this. :)
I know exactly what you mean! I love that I can just pick up at lunchtime and go run on the trail by myself and just get away for a while. Although I used to have someone who ran with me, I definitely preferred my solo running days.
And with Team In Training, I love the people and I love hanging with them before and after our runs, but I also love that while I'm running I can drop back and run by myself if I want to. And then at the end they're there to share the excitement of me completing a ridiculously long run.
My wife is secretly Kenyan! That's awesome!
I'm absolutely the same way! Even though I like to run by myself, I do *heart* my RBF's :-)
I love my running ladies too, we are really laid back though and it's a come as you are. But there is something to be said for long solo runs. I love them.
(I love the Thoroughgood.)
As for BRF... I love them all.
Nat
Well said. Like I've mentioned before, I'm a dissociative runner, but I love association with BRFs. Great post.
Too funny -- even though I had already read this post I had forgotten you started with a song. Great minds think alike (or should it be, "great Betsy's think alike?" :)
Boy, you really captured the pleasure of running by yourself! I recently joined a marathon running group (didn't think I could train to run that distance for the first time alone). They are a great support but I miss the freedom and solitude of setting my own running schedule. Thank for the excellent post.
I, too, generally like running by myself. Like you said, it's time and pace and route and thoughts that I control. That being said, though, I really enjoy the times that I get to run with others. Usually, that happens when I'm traveling. It's fun to explore a new route and place with a friend. And, it's actually good for me to run with others both for the socializing and for the running challenge.
I joined the YMCA training team for an upcoming 10K and hoped to actually get to know some folks in this part of Richmond. That's been partially successful and I enjoyed running with Todd today -- I think we challenged each other and passed the miles just chatting.
Bob
I get what you mean ... sometimes, when I'm out with my group, I just pick up the pace so I can run alone. Then I think, "WTH am I doing here?"
I love your posts about running ... so introspective.
I'm with ya - i LOVE running alone. But I have one big "EXCEPT" when I'm running 20+ miles. But a group run creeps me out. One perfect running buddy is all I need. However, they are few and far between.
Hi Betsy
I really do enjoy reading your posts and they always seem to strike a chord with me. Like you, I like that when i go running it is me, myself, and I. Fortunately, my family gives me this time of solitude or I might just go insane...
In my regular life as a dad and a doctor, I have to take care of everyone else. When I run, it is just me.. at least for a little while.
Thanks for the great post.
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