Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Ode To The Running Partner

Have you ever had one of these?
1. Someone who is willing to get up at crazy hours just to log in the miles, long or short.
2. Someone who will run in whatever weather comes your way.
3. Someone who listens to you vent and does just that. . .listens.
4. Someone who looks up info about running on the Internet for you because you casually mention an ailment that is buggingyou. Then forwards it to you and then follows up with you to make sure you are okay.
5. Someone who you should actually pay for all the therapy you don't need because they were there to help you sort through whatever is going on in your head.
6. Someone who shares in your victories. . .running related or not.
7. Someone who inspires you to improve in running and in life.
Honestly, the list can go on and on and on. . . .
I feel like a good running partner is so hard to come by. It is difficult to find someone who runs at a similar pace, who wants to keep adding on miles, who is willing to adapt schedules to "fit it in," and who shares similar running goals. So when you find one, I feel like you have a special little gem or blessing. I have been fortunate enough to have had 4 great running partners since I was in High School. My current running partner and Great Friend, Alexa, and I have been running together for about 2 years now. I just wanted to tell her THANK YOU. She has helped me log in some longer miles, has made it pleasant when it hasn't been all that fun and enjoyable when it could have been boring. We have laughed together and cried together, all out on the road. I hope share a lot more miles with you. I luv yer gutz! THANKS!!!!!!

13 comments:

Kelly(M&M) said...

I love this post mostly because I completely understand it! What a great tribute to your friend and running partner/s! I feel lucky also to have had great friends to run with. (Although, we haven't braved the snowy weather as much, we met on the treadmill if possible.) Friends definitely keep you going and the chatting is needed for my sanity! Heather, we live close enough, I hope we get to meet up sometime!

5 Miles Past Empty said...

Wow! I could not have said it better myself! I am going to forward this to my running buddies (love you Carrie and Andria!)! Running buddies truly are a blessing!

Tifferbob said...

Man, where do you find a running partner like that? I need one.

goooooood girl said...

your blog is very fine......

Robyn said...

This is such a great post! You are lucky to have someone like her. I love that the photo is taken in the pitch black and in the snow. That shows how dedicated you two are!

I think we should all post about our running buddies- a salute to great training partners- they are hard to come by!!

Unknown said...

Kelly, I would love to meet up with you sometime. What races are you signed up for?

Kelly(M&M) said...

Hey Heather,

I think my next race is the Champoeg 30k on March 7th. It has a 10k and a 30k. It is a great long distance race to prepare for a marathon. After that I will be running the Newport Marathon. What are your race plans?

Frannie said...

I have met some amazing women through our running club and while I haven't been able to run with them as often as they run together, they have become fast friends and I feel so fortunate to have found them!

Unknown said...

My running buddies have forever changed my life. They are there to get me through the hard runs, as well as the hard times in life, and I'm always so happy when I can do the same for them. As I've said to them on numerous occasions, only the love of friends could convince me to get out of bed at o-dark-thirty in the morning when it's below freezing outside and I could be sleeping!

Thanks for your tribute. You said it very nicely :)

Unknown said...

I am planning on doing the Gator Grinder Tri in May and that is it so far. I would love to sign up for a couple others. I will check out the 2 you mentioned. I am considering St George or Portland in the fall.

Anonymous said...

WOW. I must admit, the running partner is SUCH an amazing accountability regimen.

WHAT a blessing!!!

goooooood girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen said...

I miss my running partners-- I need a new one! Anybody? Anybody?