There is no coincidence that a common metaphor for life is a race. Whether the defining adjective is the word 'Human' or 'Rat', each can be fitting and lends much to the analogy.
Others have eloquently expounded on the virtues of endurance, perseverance, and other traits of character necessary for running and finishing a race. But in this post I wanted to make observations about running WITH someone. Hopefully, we'll be able to see the application.
Almost two months ago a friend approached me to have me teach him how to run. It came about that there was a race in Portland that we could use as our goal. At the end of all the training, there were a few things I learned.
Naturally, I'm a solo flyer (think more than running here, folks), and have been justifiably accused of being extremely self-reliant. But after running with someone for 6 weeks, my preference changed from running by myself to running w/ someone else.
So just some observations of the benefits of companionship (read into this all you want, that was the intent.)
1) SELF-FORGETFULNESS. You really forget yourself when you're running with someone else. You forget you're exercising, you fool yourself into conditioning.
2) EFFICIENCY. 8 miles with my friend seemed fun and good conversation. 3 miles by myself was a little less so.
3) MOTIVATION. We really have to be in agreement to NOT run. The other day when we were planning our long run, I initially wasn't in the mood to run, but he was, and then we started he wasn't in the mood but I was. If we ever skip a day, it will be because we both aren't in the mood at exactly the same time.
4) FASTER. After the race last weekend, I resolved to increase my training pace a touch. When I run with my friend, the pace increase was actually doubled at the same effort. I run faster when we run together.
5) CONVERSATION. I enjoy solitude, but another independent mind can actually talk back to you. Not only will it save you $125 per hour on therapy bills. You don't have to wait till next week for a follow up.
6) PRODUCTIVITY. Better than a 'bored' meeting, agendas get addressed, plans get laid, details get ironed out, ambitions get ignited, inspiration is enlightened, and determination is rejuvenated. The world consequently is a better place just because you ran with your friend.
7) BONDING. The trial of hardships born together forms a solidarity that is not easily dissolved.
After six weeks, my friend's training pace has increased by more than a minute. He ran his first 5K race at a dignified 7:22 min/mile. I had a new PB without any effort.
Now we're braking out the heart rate monitor and measuring our Lactate Threshold. Along with the dreaded intervals and hill training. We continue to run almost every day between 3-8 miles, even in foul weather (even when I'm on call or he has to see late patients). That's what running with someone else will do for you.
One of the most convincing arguments for running with someone is actually finding that person that is willing to share the burden of hardship, to join you in submitting to the rigor of training that you know will result in the desired fitness. Without complaining or compromise. And to enthusiastically believe that this is also what they want for themselves, but would simply like to be along for the ride (run) of their lives.
Friend: "Hey, I really need to get back into the running thing. Any tips?"
Me: "Grab a friend to do it with you. If you're really serious, find a race to do together."
Sent from the iPhone of Elwyn Garaza.
