support crew

Running is by definition, an individual sport. In running, no one can win a race for you. (Much unlike my 1st place trophy for winning the 8th grade basketball tournament in which I sat on the bench for all but maybe 2 minutes.) You put in the work. Your legs cross that finish line. It's your blood, sweat, tears, trials and triumphs.

Yet I believe that running, being an individual and sometimes very selfish sport, could not be done without support.

Support from your family, not minding that you may sneak away for a few hours at a time to get in a long run. Or waking up with you at 4:00 in the morning, standing around for hours armed with cowbells and signs, ready to just to catch a few second glimpse of you as you run by in a race.

Support from running friends who push you on training runs to go just a little further, a little faster. Or the running friends who sometimes abandon their own goals, to stick by your side and make sure you cross the finish line.

Support from co-workers, friends, family, and even strangers, when you are running for charity, and fundraising for a cause very special to you.

Support from the amazing online running community, through blogs, facebook/myspace (and especially the kick butt moms over at the cafemom running group!)

Support from volunteers on a race course, giving you water, snacks, smiles and words of encouragement.

But sometimes, you will find support from places you never imagined.

There is this man in the next neighborhood over. I don't know his name, or anything about him, other than he looks slightly like a younger version of former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani. Every now and again I see him out for a power walk. More often than not, when I see him he is passing in his car while I'm out for a run. Without a doubt, every time I have seen this man, he gives me the most enthusiastic wave I've ever seen. Not just the common obligatory neighborly exchange of a wave as if to say "yeah, I see you, I'm not running you over with my car (this time), you're welcome". And no, not a creepy kind of wave that many ladies have encountered from time to time while out for a run. This wave is more of a "GOOD FOR YOU for getting outside and being active!!" kind of wave. I feel like if he had a cowbell, he'd roll down the window and ring it for me as I cruise by. And every time, it puts a smile on my face. I feel like I have a genuine cheerleader out there on the neighborhood race course.

I am willing to be the mystery man is not a reader of my blog. But in the rare case the man who lives at 198 whatever the name of the street is reading this post: thank you for cheering me on for the last 3 years. You don't know much it means to me!

Sometimes, the best form of support for the competitive type, is a little challenge. My goal for the month of December is to run 150 miles. A small feat for some, but I've never come close. So I've "challenged" my friends on Dailymile.com to "Heather's No School! 150 mile challenge!" . Actually, I gave myself 6 extra days, since I'm sure finals week (Dec 7-11) will kick my butt. But I digress. I'd like to invite any and all of you to join in! If you are not a member of dailymile.com, it's really quick and painless to sign up. You can add the last two days to your mileage , just be sure to join the challenge before you log your workout, or they wont register.

So, who is your support crew? Dont' forget to thank your cheerleaders next time you see them :)