The Running Community

Imagine a community of people who are always positive and supportive of each other. A group of people who accepts anyone no matter how they look or where they come from. This group I just described is the running community. Since the day that I stood at the starting line of my first race, this community has made a major positive impact on my life. The energy that you feed off your fellow runners and the spectators is incredible and powerful. And each time I crossed that finish line, I felt like a rock star! This feeling is what got me hooked on running in races. I remember standing at the starting line for the first time and being nervous and it was pretty obvious from the look on my face. But the guy standing next to me patted me on the shoulder and told me that feeling nervous was normal and to just enjoy the race. "Just soak it all in and enjoy the experience" he said with a smile on his face. I nodded and the countdown to the start began. We took off and before I knew it the race was over. It all felt surreal and my adrenaline was still pumping. I wanted to do it all again! I could not find that guy who helped calm me to thank him for his reassurance. But he definitely made a difference. I also remember one time during a half marathon, I was passing by runners that were far behind me in the race. And yet each runner I passed by was giving me a thumbs up and cheering me on. The support at every race was unbelievable. And its not only at the races that runners show support and provide motivation. Through social networks and during my training runs here in my hometown, runners are not shy to cheer you on or pay you a compliment. Many runners I pass by on the sidewalks or streets of my hometown either will give a thumbs up or say "great job." It really is a great experience being apart of this community. And I have yet to see or hear anything negative from anyone in the runners community. It really feels like a family more than anything. I find myself cheering on runners as they cross the finish line after I have already finished the race. The positive vibe is contagious and you just want to share it with everyone else! The way I see it, we may not be on a official team, but from the moment that we stand at that starting line and during the race, we all share one common goal, crossing that finish line! And that makes us a team!