When I first started running a decade ago, I would have quit or lost interest without the unbelievable support of my friends and teammates that drove me forward.
Today, I am on your team, and think we should all be on that team together. We will all get more enjoyment out of the experience of training and competing whe. we have a community to share those experiences with.
How did you get into the sport?
I started running while working at a school where the principal was a runner. We would run 3-4 times a week after work, but he was strong and fast. He encouraged me to sign up for a half marathon, and on the morning of the event I foolishly changed my registration to the marathon, having never run more than 8 miles previously. However, stupid determination helped me finish, even though the principal dropped out of the event half way through.
40 years later I came back to running, when it seemed too dark and wet and dangerous to bike before work for exercise. I discovered I was fast. Since then I have gotten slower but I love the feeling of being in control of my performance. Having a goal event and a smart coach are both a big help to keep me on track.
I joined my community college's cross country team for summer training on a whim--coach thought I was nuts. Didn't have a watch or proper running shoes until she drove me to the local running shop a few weeks in, realizing I was gonna keep showing up. (The watch I got was a basic stop watch, but I upgraded to a Forerunner 10 the next summer.) First day I ran with the wrong crowd (ie, fast), we were out there for over an hour and every step I thought might be my last. I was instantly addicted.
Turned out not every run was that serious, we hit the trails 2-3x/week and we spent a lot of time avoiding running by hopping fences to swim/fooling around on the playground/having mudfights in the rain. There was a teaching zoo on campus we visited often. I think that sense of freedom and play is what has kept me in it all these years and attracts me to more unconventional events.
I, reluctantly, got into the sport about 5 years ago as part of a weight loss/healthy lifestyle change. I was "running" about 15 miles a week and I needed some sort of goal to stive for and a local 5K race seemed like a good choice. I knew nothing! How far is 5K really? How fast should I go? Will a van pick me up if I can't finish it? Nothing! I ran it in basketball shoes and no watch. I finished it, got a cool medal and was kind of hooked.
Since then, I've learned a little bit more about running. I got the fancy shoes, the fancy watch, a good coach, and the running bug in my blood. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed running until last winter when I stood on the sideline of a marathon I couldn't run in because of a foot problem and got a little choked up.