Running in the Rain

I am participating in the Couch to 5K program with some other friends from the Library and we run together on Sunday mornings. I have always thought running was a solitary sport and that is one of the reasons I wasn't interested in it. I like team sports. I played soccer in school and tennis throughout my life, but always doubles. Running was for loners! But, of course, really it was that running requires self-discipline and self-motivation which are not things I consider to be my strengths. Running with a group provides the accountability I need to go run on Sunday mornings--I have an appointment and I keep appointments. But more than that, it motivated me to the do the other two runs every week so I wouldn't be holding back my team from keeping to the schedule. When we did the 22 minute run on Sunday, we all ran at different speeds and when I finished the run I couldn't see any of my friends because we were scattered all over the park. But I didn't feel alone because it was a still a team effort that got me to this point. I did the running and pushed those last four minutes by myself; however, without the support and encouragement of the group I would not have gotten this far. So, in running, as in my professional life and in my home life, it takes a team and a village to bring everyone across the finish line!