Finding A Running Tribe
I’m jealous of the Kenyans. And I’m jealous of my past self at times, when I had my own running tribe back in the UK.
I thought it was ME who was running those miles, but in hindsight I know that it wasn’t…
We become the environments, the people, the groups, the situations that we put ourselves in. If you sign up for a marathon, for example, it’s quite likely you’ll do it, or at least get closer than you ever have before. Equally, committing to a group run (or run with a friend) is the surest way to get out the door and move the body.
But I’m a perfectionist, for better or for worse… I don’t just want to join ANY running club / group / public event. I want it to be perfectly tailored towards the ultimate running experience. Wild, open, playful and free, as well as disciplined and dedicated towards meeting our running goals.
Long story short, I don’t really know what I want, but I certainly want to find out! And, in turn, experience the group running flow that I’ve read about (and at times enjoyed) so many times!
So here’s a few questions I’m asking myself on this journey, and you too might decide to in your quest for finding your very own ‘running tribe’:
1) What is the maximum potential of the group? (Distance / speed / adventure wise)
2) Are these people actually fun to be around? (After all, running also means potentially spending half, or even a full, day together)
3) Am I being too picky / cautious about what I think I want or need from a running group? (Perhaps any group that runs together can function well, and we needn’t be so fussy at all)
4) Do we have similar ideas / feelings about what running is REALLY about? (Running is a personal thing after all… for some it’s about purpose or adventure, where as for others it’s simply more about health and well being)
In Ethiopia and Kenya you almost ONLY ever run as a group, and you generally only run in a group of aspiring world beaters! Running is not about leisure or health or ‘being good to yourself’. It’s a dedicated career choice, or nothing at all…
We should remember this; how different our culture is, our goals are and our social system works.
Perhaps we needn’t be breaking records (and our legs) in order to enjoy the experience of a running tribe. A group of 2 or 3 good friends might even suffice…
Life is lived best when it is shared. I’m not the first to say it and won’t be the last.
Still… running can be a lonely venture; it attracts introverts, addicts, psychos, adrenaline junkies galore, as well as monks, gurus and ordinary folks alike. Sometimes I need a simple (and obvious!) reminder that everything actually can be shared, at least to some extent.
So enjoy finding your own running tribe folks; and if you’re still not convinced of its importance then check out ‘Running With The Kenyans’ or ‘Out Of Thin Air - two of my favourite running books that wonderfully address this topic exactly…
Love and Legs.
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