Most all of us started running as a selfish pursuit.  Some of us wanted to make the high school cross country and/or track teams.  Some of us wanted to lose weight.  Others are in search of a healthier lifestyle after a visit to our physician.  Having some "me" time away from the daily grind is another pretty common motivator.  Those are all great reasons to start, and to continue, running.  Over and over, running has been found to have great physical and emotional benefits.

 

However, running often leads to one of my favorite "benefits" of the sport - the creation of a community.  Whether it's common goals or shared suffering, us runners (and walkers) tend to be a supportive bunch.  We cheer for the winners; but, we also shake cowbells for BOPers.  We welcome newbies to the club, training classes, workouts and beer runs - working hard to make them feel part of the community as quickly as possible.  We share advice on training, injuries, nutrition and more.  What other sport spends as much time building camaraderie between participants?  Even at the elite levels of the sport, we see ourselves more as training partners as opposed to competitors.  In today's world of divisiveness and isolationism, how great is that?

 

From high school to Run Wild Missoula, I've been fortunate enough to have been part of several such communities.  Many of my closest friendships have come about through these groups.  Whether on a long run, a recovery day or a post-run beverage, we've shared the stories of our lives.  Solved the world's problems.  Celebrated births, marriages, promotions and more.  Mourned the loss of loved ones.  We've shared the suffering of hard races and workouts.  Through it all, bonds have been created and relationships forged.  I find it hard to contemplate the path of my life without having been part of these running communities.

 

As a member of Run Wild Missoula, I hope that you've been able to leverage your membership into becoming part of this amazing community of runners and walkers.  If not, I'd encourage you broaden your horizons and become more engaged with your fellow club members.  Become a regular at RWM races.  Attend the monthly beer runs.  Sign up for a training class (Or 2.  Or 3!!)  Volunteer for events.  Take part in our social runs.  Bring a spouse, partner, friend, family member or co-worker.  The more the merrier - really!!

 

In the end, I want everyone to be able to experience the joy and pleasure that I have found from being a runner and being accepted as part of our community.  To that end, remember to be welcoming, inviting and supportive each and every time that you meet a new runner or walker.  Give them every reason you can to make them want to be part of our merry band of misfits :-)

 

In the meantime, I'll be celebrating our community out on the roads, tracks and trails.

 

  See you on the roads, tracks and trails.