Tuesdays on the Run: The Best Thing About Running

Some may think of running as a solitary pursuit, but for me, it’s pretty much social hour. In La Chica parlance, weekend = running = hanging out with my friends. So does 5:15 a.m. on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 7:15 p.m. on a Monday and 8:30 p.m. on a Friday, but I digress.

Runners are my favorite thing about running, which happens to be the topic of this week’s Tuesdays on the Run link-up, hosted by runner bloggers MCM Mama Runs, My No Guilt Life and Marcia’s Healthy Slice.

All guilty of supporting my insanity.

Why do I love my runner friends?

1. They’re fun. Runners — at least those I know — are the nicest people. They are supportive, kind and generous. They also have eclectic tastes and interests, which means there’s often something you have in common to talk about, no matter the distance. I’ve had conversations about The Walking Dead, childhood trauma and the best flavor of Gu (obviously the salted caramel) — all within a span of a few miles.
2. They’re inherently supportive. As a newbie runner, I relied on all of these experienced people to walk me through all of my firsts: my first 5-miler, first double-digit run and my first half marathon. I eventually worked my way through my first full marathon and, yup, they were with me the whole way, giving me advice, encouraging me and supporting my insanity. Which leads me to the best thing about my most-favorite thing about running.
3. They’re enablers. Your family’s eyes glaze over when you talk about your black toenails, fueling for your long run or your next race? Talk to another runner! Considering signing up for your first marathon or — gasp! — an ultra? Go for a four-mile run with a few running friends and find yourself, credit card in hand post-runner’s high, having signed up for a 50K trail race. (Or was that just me?)
   

   Enablers. All of them.

4. They’re not normal. Who signs up to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles? Crazy people. They’re also tenacious, can work through tough situations and know how to set and achieve goals.

We apparently also have similar taste in head gear.

I don’t know about you, but those are definitely my kind of people.

So, what do you think is the best thing about running?