Eat Drink Run Woman

People try to put us d-down (talkin’ ’bout my community)
Just because we run around (talkin’ ’bout my community)
In the winter we get c-c-cold (talkin’ ’bout my community)
But we ain’t gonna die before we get old (talkin’ ’bout my community)

This is my community
This is my community, baby

Why don’t you all f-fade away (Talkin’ ’bout my community)
And don’t try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin’ ’bout my community)
I’m not askin’ for increased i-i-immunity (Talkin’ ’bout my community)
I’m just talkin’ ’bout my c-c-community (Talkin’ ’bout my community)

This is my community
This is my community, baby

While I would never say this during a job interview, I’m not much of a team player. I was never into sports when I was younger, and the few times I took up team sports as an adult (softball, soccer, volleyball) it was a bit of a disaster. Not because I thought I was so much better than everyone else; quite the contrary. I had absolutely no confidence in my skills and I thought I was dragging everyone down.

That’s why I’ve taken to running — I can go it alone and not be responsible for anyone else. Mind you, I’m sure if I found a fun running group I’d have a blast — I do enjoy the camaraderie of other runners — but even then I’d be concerned I was dragging the group down if I was having a bad day (or I’d get frustrated if I felt I could go faster than what the group was doing). But just as Coffee Betsy states in her post, I LOVE getting together with other runners after the run is done. I think that’s what I enjoyed most about the Goofy Challenge; I was truly in my element as I walked hobbled around Magic Kingdom the day after, proudly sporting my Goofy medal and congratulating all the other crazy souls.

However, even though I enjoy my solo runs (or runs with just my darling and me), that doesn’t mean I don’t long for — or seek — a community of like-minded obsessive fools. In fact, if it weren’t for the virtual community I’ve developed over the past year, it’s doubtful I’d be on my quest to qualify for Boston. I get energized and motivated by all the blogs I read and podcasts I listen to, and I believe they’ve helped push me to be my very best.

I’ve read with rapt attention Suzanne‘s and Juls‘ attempts to BQ, I’ve empathized with Angie as she describes the issues we tall girls face as runners, I’ve sympathized with Jodie as she’s dealt with more than her fair share of running-induced injuries (and have winced at Frayed Laces report of finishing a marathon despite a broken pelvis). As someone who’s tipped the scale at 200 pounds, I can relate to Warriorwoman, Sarah, Misty and K80K as strong, competitive women who refuse to let a few pounds keep them from pushing themselves to do their best. I cheer from afar as Betsy, Nancy and Amy challenge themselves in ways they never thought possible. And if I need permission to indulge my sweet tooth or quench my thirst for an adult beverage, I only need look to Topher and Pieces of Me to prove that you can be an athlete and still have fun.

I should also note this post wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for people such as Tom and Amy who have dedicated themselves to building an online running community. I’m thrilled that I FINALLY have had a chance to contribute to their weekly “Take it and Run” forum. It’s my small way of giving back to what they have given me.

I started Eat Drink Run Woman as a way to track my progress with my own fitness, but I also hope I inspire and motivate others to challenge themselves. I’ll never be an elite athlete (the only thing I share with Paula is blonde hair), but I’m enjoying my journey as I push myself to heights I never dreamed of as a skinny, shy teenager. Perhaps my story — the good, bad and ugly — will be the impetus one of my readers needs to get them off the couch and out the door.

Happy running everyone!