Next week on HBO, the new series Band of Runners
Let me preface this by saying that I am a lover not a fighter. 10 years of kung-fu (3 spent as a youth instructor) under my belt and I still prefer to end confrontations with my words and not my fists. I’m not going down without taking one or two bodies with me, but let’s face it, I would never survive in a war zone. The soldiers I know, directly like Uncle Paul and Brandon, or through friends, like Jeremy, are the true warriors. They have the true Band of Brothers.
That said, the recent response to my Sanity post got me thinking. I had written it while slowly emerging from a place that had me down. The post itself was about using running to mentally pick oneself up by the bootstraps and get going. 4 days later, I still believe that all to be true – running is something of a miracle drug to me, but I am compelled to add something. This running community that I am a part of through Daily Mile and Twitter, has also had an immense impact on how well I feel going through the day. The words of encouragement and hope are energizing and uplifting. But it’s not just them. It’s all the runners out there that are pounding out the miles.
Whether I see you outside my window running by before dawn or from the car as I drive around town taking care of the groceries and dry cleaning, I see you, I am encouraged by you and I am thankful.
For those of my friends who are still unsure about these social networks, I would direct you to my friend Kathy over at RTR. Kathy put it in terms that explain without preaching. Simply put, Daily Mile is Facebook for runners, bikers, swimmers, and athletes, but I use all of those terms loosely. We are a group that range in skill from the very competitive to the “let’s just put down the pint and get my butt off the couch, shall we?”. We’re all just looking for a connection through our chosen athletic endeavor and a bit of encouragement.
My point…
Essentially, I want to thank you, my fellow runners, for your support in recent weeks…directly or indirectly, knowingly and unknowingly you have all lifted my spirits and helped my feet fly.
You are my Band of Runners, and to you I am grateful.
Run Luau Run 
Yep, we’ve gotta all help each other out, and having all of these other methods (dailymile, twitter, etc.) just make for that much bigger of an “embrace” as it were. I have seen a lot of nonjudgemental support, being at the perennial back of the pack. Great community, all addicted to the “miracle drug.” Have a great week!
Thanks Paula! Front of the pack or back of the pack, the nice thing is we are all one pack.
Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking too- over the past few months. Well said 🙂
I completely agree! Not only are the words of encouragement on DM great, but I start to feel guilty if I’m not posting runs on it to keep up with the rest of you!
I can’t even begin to describe what the support from the DM & Twitter communities mean to me. When I don’t think my body is strong enough to pound out the miles – y’all tell me I’m wrong. When fear of my impending marathon grips me, I know I can count on everyone to talk me into believing in myself once again. Runners are an amazing group of people, a group that I am awfully proud to be a part of.
Great post!!
I completely agree! I feel like I wear the “positive vibes” of my fellow runner friends like an invisible glowing shield throughout the day.
On another note – whenever I see other runners on the road while I am walking the dogs or driving by I want to scream out “yeah! you got it! way to go!”…okay, occasionally I actually do that at the risk of sounding crazy to said runner and passersby…
I actually did that a couple weeks ago when I saw a group for Team in Training running in the cold rain. I yelled out something like, “go runners!” and they looked at me like I was kinda crazy. I didn’t care, I was inspired by their dedication.
I love that you do that! I was running by myself in early January. It was freezing, so I was all bundled up, but I had my Team in Training jersey on over my other layers. As I was running around downtown St. Louis I had a car pass me and the driver yelled “Go Team!” It certainly but a little extra spring in my step!
Proud to be a part of your Band, and I feel exactly the same way!
I am proud to call you my brother, brother!!!
Great post and well written.
Love it! We’re on in this together… and keep shouting from your car when you pass people… even when if they look at you like you’re crazy! 🙂