Hello friends!
I am linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap.
Saturday morning I headed to Running Wild to get my long run done for the weekend. Rebecca, Ashley and I needed to get 20 miles in, so we met before the normal group run and got 6 miles knocked out before 6 a.m. We met back at the store and joined the rest of the group for 10 miles and then headed back out to get the leftover 4 miles done.
The store has various distance options for the group runs. This week there was a 5 mile, 8 mile and 10 mile route. We got to run with Lizzie, Jill and Jessica for part of our run too.
Yesterday was Lizzie’s last day working at Running Wild. It was a bittersweet day for sure. She has a great new job and we are excited for her, but we will surely miss seeing her several times per week. She’ll only be about 45 minutes away, so we are planning to visit her regularly.
There were good-bye hugs … these pictures crack me up. Perfectly imperfect.
What in the world?
I have so much love for these running friendships. I know that I have done a pretty solid job of professing my undying love of running on the internet at this point, but I’m going to do a little bit more of that now. Running has brought a lot of really positive things into my life, but one of the greatest things that it has given me is community and a sense of belonging.
These are my people.
For years (i.e., throughout high school and college), I struggled to find a friend group. Don’t get me wrong, I had some great friends, but I never felt like I truly “fit in” or that people accepted me for me. I felt like I had to be or act a certain way to fit in with whatever group it was. Even then, I knew I didn’t truly belong. I was almost happier to be by myself (hello only child) and while this can be good at times, it’s also a lonely way to live.
The running community is absolutely wonderful and I am so thankful to have found the sense of belonging that comes from being a part of it. Belonging is a basic human need, just like the need for food and shelter. Running brings people together by putting the focus on ways we are similar, instead of focusing on ways we are different. Even though we are different in some ways (we are in different life stages, have different political views, come from different backgrounds, etc.), we are all runners and we accept each other for who we are.
We are all a little bit looney and that makes it fun!
After our run, we did our typical drink all the drinks and hang out at Coffee Loft for several hours. I don’t know how we manage to do this, but it’s like we could just talk and hang out forever. I love it!
8 drinks for 3 people … totally normal. Not pictured (aka already consumed) are my G2 and sprite zero that I added Nuun to. I also drank lots of water and one Nuun tablet during the run. Lots of hydration is needed on these summer long runs!
Daniel had to work Saturday morning, so he wanted to do his run Saturday afternoon after work. He is kind of warming up to the idea of me “coaching” him. He wanted to do a workout Saturday and he let me pick it out … this is going to be fun. Hehe.
I decided to have him do a brisk pace run. He did 5 miles easy and 5 miles at brisk pace. I have this same workout coming up this week and my coach had just done a post about the benefits of this type of run, so I guess it was just fresh on my brain. The focus of the brisk run is to stay relaxed while running quickly, which helps us to run as efficiently as possible in workouts and races. The more relaxed we stay the less energy we burn at every speed.
I rode the bike with Daniel during his workout, which was fun. I was able to shout at him encourage him and hold his water for him. Win, win. He had a great run and I was happy to be along for the ride (literally).
I took an impromptu rest day Sunday, which was much need and really nice. Last week was a big week mileage wise and I felt like a day off would be better for me than an easy run.
My day went like this: sleep in –> go to church –> read –> take a nap –> watch the Olympic Trials. It was a perfect mental, physical and spiritual “reset” day. Running and gymnastics are my two favorite sports to watch and they were both on this weekend! I can’t wait for the Olympics now!
What is your favorite event to watch?
I loved watching gymnastics last night. I like watching the running too but honestly it gets boring in the longer races. The steeplechase and field events are cool too. Clay and I watch the gymnastics together and like it the best by far, though.
Glad you had a great 20 miler and don’t blame you for taking Sunday off after- it sounds like it was a very relaxing rest day anyway and you needed it. 20 miles in the heat is something serious, so all those drinks for hydration and recovery were necessary! Plus, it rocks that you have so many people to share a long run with. I do the group runs on Saturday but it’s only 3-5 miles so I have to run 7 before alone to get to 12. I wish we had people running 8-10 to join in with.
Like you, I feel like I found my people as a runner. I work at my house and don’t get a ton of socialization outside of my running friends (and the occasional yelp event). Even the people I hang out with outside of running are all runners or fitness oriented at least.
I loved watching gymnastics last night. I like watching the running too but honestly it gets boring in the longer races. The steeplechase and field events are cool too. Clay and I watch the gymnastics together and like it the best by far, though.
Glad you had a great 20 miler and don’t blame you for taking Sunday off after- it sounds like it was a very relaxing rest day anyway and you needed it. 20 miles in the heat is something serious, so all those drinks for hydration and recovery were necessary! Plus, it rocks that you have so many people to share a long run with. I do the group runs on Saturday but it’s only 3-5 miles so I have to run 7 before alone to get to 12. I wish we had people running 8-10 to join in with.
Like you, I feel like I found my people as a runner. I work at my house and don’t get a ton of socialization outside of my running friends (and the occasional yelp event). Even the people I hang out with outside of running are all runners or fitness oriented at least.
I haven’t had the chance to turn on the tv to watch anything… boo!
20 mile long run! great job!!!
Especially in the heat! So 8 drinks for 3 people sounds reasonable and understandable 🙂
I totally understand about the whole “tribe” thing. I haven’t really found my “tribe” yet because I don’t really have a running group that I join. Maybe I should… it’s hard when you’re constantly around people who come and go (moving away), I guess mentally, I try not to get too attached or close to people because I know they will be gone in a few years.
Thank you! I get what you are saying about people coming and going. The girls that I run with have changed somewhat over the years (different life stages, events, etc.), but it’s nice now because we have a bigger group. If one or two people leave, there is still a core group. Do you have a local running store? That’s where I met most of my running buddies!
I haven’t had the chance to turn on the tv to watch anything… boo!
20 mile long run! great job!!!
Especially in the heat! So 8 drinks for 3 people sounds reasonable and understandable 🙂
I totally understand about the whole “tribe” thing. I haven’t really found my “tribe” yet because I don’t really have a running group that I join. Maybe I should… it’s hard when you’re constantly around people who come and go (moving away), I guess mentally, I try not to get too attached or close to people because I know they will be gone in a few years.
Thank you! I get what you are saying about people coming and going. The girls that I run with have changed somewhat over the years (different life stages, events, etc.), but it’s nice now because we have a bigger group. If one or two people leave, there is still a core group. Do you have a local running store? That’s where I met most of my running buddies!
Fun to read your recap but I was so distracted by your sidebars and how beautiful they were. 🙂 Oh and you are a speed demon!!! Wow – your PR’s are amazing. Can you send some of your speed my way???
Thank you so much! You are too kind. It’s taken me many years to work my way down to the times I am running now.
Fun to read your recap but I was so distracted by your sidebars and how beautiful they were. 🙂 Oh and you are a speed demon!!! Wow – your PR’s are amazing. Can you send some of your speed my way???
Thank you so much! You are too kind. It’s taken me many years to work my way down to the times I am running now.
What is the noon flavor on the picture and what is your favorite?
I have tried a couple, and to be honest, I haven’t quite found one thatbI really like. But I guess as a runner you get used to jugging down anything 😄
It’s lemon-lime. There are several flavors that I really like and some that I don’t like as much. Lemon-lime is one of the better ones (IMO). Strawberry lemonade is my favorite one.
What is the noon flavor on the picture and what is your favorite?
I have tried a couple, and to be honest, I haven’t quite found one thatbI really like. But I guess as a runner you get used to jugging down anything 😄
It’s lemon-lime. There are several flavors that I really like and some that I don’t like as much. Lemon-lime is one of the better ones (IMO). Strawberry lemonade is my favorite one.
I missed seeing the gymnastics!
I like the colors on your blog! I want to change mine because I am getting bored with it.
Now that you are certified, will you be coaching others as well?
She already is! You should hire her!
Thank you! Yes, I got kind of tired of the other one. It was really easy to change. I might change it up more frequently now that I know how easy it is. Yes! I am doing online coaching with Maximum Performance Running (my coach’s company).
I missed seeing the gymnastics!
I like the colors on your blog! I want to change mine because I am getting bored with it.
Now that you are certified, will you be coaching others as well?
She already is! You should hire her!
Thank you! Yes, I got kind of tired of the other one. It was really easy to change. I might change it up more frequently now that I know how easy it is. Yes! I am doing online coaching with Maximum Performance Running (my coach’s company).
No one else I’d want to ride the Struggle Bus with!!!!! And those pics crack me up. I was so angry! LOL!!!!
No one else I’d want to ride the Struggle Bus with!!!!! And those pics crack me up. I was so angry! LOL!!!!
Although I don’t run or train with a group, I’ve met some wonderful friends through running. I know you will miss Lizzie. How awesome to be coaching your husband. I can tell you (without a doubt) that wouldn’t work in my life. LOL. When I race with friends, we always stop at the coffee shop. It’s tradition. Sometimes, we opt for Waffle House and drink coffee with our PB waffle. Thanks for linking, Sam!
It’s still TBD if it will work for us or not. It’s gonna either be awesome or disasterous … no in between! Haha. Long coffee dates post run or race are definitely a must. Mandatory fun 🙂
Although I don’t run or train with a group, I’ve met some wonderful friends through running. I know you will miss Lizzie. How awesome to be coaching your husband. I can tell you (without a doubt) that wouldn’t work in my life. LOL. When I race with friends, we always stop at the coffee shop. It’s tradition. Sometimes, we opt for Waffle House and drink coffee with our PB waffle. Thanks for linking, Sam!
It’s still TBD if it will work for us or not. It’s gonna either be awesome or disasterous … no in between! Haha. Long coffee dates post run or race are definitely a must. Mandatory fun 🙂
I love your blog makeover! The colors go perfect with the header picture! Great week for you and I loved seeing the pictures of you and your “tribe” all so happy! I hope Daniel survives, lol.
Thanks Sam for linking up with us!
I love your blog makeover! The colors go perfect with the header picture! Great week for you and I loved seeing the pictures of you and your “tribe” all so happy! I hope Daniel survives, lol.
Thanks Sam for linking up with us!