The Intimacy of Running

I get a running quote emailed to me every morning. I signed up for this distribution list mostly because I love quotes. The secondary factor is the reality that more often than not, I could use a little motivation to get my running shoes on and out the door on a regular basis. One of my favorite quotes to come across my inbox thus far is one by Kristin Armstrong, “Do not underestimate the intimacy of running, and the people with whom you share your miles.”

I love to run, but over time it has become a very solitary thing for me. I have friends who run in pairs or groups and use that as their socializing time, but for me, I prefer to be on the road or treadmill alone. I set my own pace and am responsible for pushing myself. Running for miles on end with only an iPod for company not only gives you time to, but forces you to think and evaluate life. Running is my time, even if I’m on a treadmill surrounded by people at the gym. No phone, nobody to talk to, just me and the steady thump of my feet hitting the ground. The occasional person to pick off and pass is a welcome event as well.

This quote got me thinking though, about how intimate sharing that running time can be for someone who prefers to run alone. I never go out of my way to run with people, friends, coworkers or strangers in running groups. I actually prefer relay races because I’m part of a team, but still running alone.

Oddly enough, there is one person I actually enjoy running with. Maybe it’s because we have a route that we always run, or the fact that I typically get to set the pace. Or maybe it’s the fact that there is no pressure to chat or be social, just to run. As surprised as I was to discover I liked my brother as a person (and not just because I had to since we were related), I find myself even more surprised that I enjoy running with him. We are two very different personalities who despite our differences enjoy many of the same activities. So it’s not necessarily shocking that we both run, but that it’s something we can do together. Without being competitive (which is rare in our family).

For me, running is a private thing. Some people meditate, I run. It’s my time and I enjoy using it to get into my own head. However I found myself smiling when reading a recent email from my brother. I’m using his couch as a free place to sleep in a couple weeks and we were coordinating schedules when he told me that if I get there early enough, we can go for a run. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone to share the miles with.