A large part of my running experience has been defined by who I am running with. When I first started out, running was all about the personal challenge. Anne will note that there aren't very many smiley pictures of me in 2011-2013. I was out there not only trying to better myself but also my fitness. I was also asking and answering questions of myself. So, on my long 3-4 hour solo runs I was doing it to prove it to myself that I could compete physically. It was answering those questions that popped in my head during my whole athletic life. All of those shortcomings, 4th places, and not making the team. "Am I good enough?" "Why is that guy better than me?" I set out to prove "you know, I can beat physical challenges." I ran with training groups sporadically during that time. My Group had a training team for the 2012 Air Force Marathon that met once a week for a couple months. We broke up immediately after the race. I helped some friends get ready for their first half marathon in early 2013 (3M 1/2 marathon in Austin, I HIGHLY recommend it!). Again, the gang broke up pretty much after the race.
2014, as I've mentioned in a previous post, I started running with Carrera. I had run a couple of their races previously and found myself on their mailing list. As all of my prior running groups had broken up after races, I was looking for a group. Joining Carrera significantly changed my outlook on running. It became a social event, as can be seen from of the group pictures I've posted. (Don't worry, I've got tons more!)
My last post covered how I met San Antonio officially via Carrera. Group training was great for me. I got faster, made friends, got to see new areas of town, and learned about new races. The entire last couple months I spent in San Antonio I repeatedly thought "man, I wish I would've made these friends earlier." The point of running also changed for me. I think that part of that was affirmation. I was one of the faster people in the group. Of course, there were people like Joseph, Anthony, Jason, Kat, and that one dude whose name I can't remember but hated wearing shirts could blow the doors off of me. What they taught me though was that running isn't always about competing with others. It's about having fun and competing with yourself. You can still run a great race and not be anywhere near the front. Terri, our coach, taught us to relax and slow down. Anne and Jason taught me to smile and enjoy the fact that I'm able to be out there in the first place. My second year with Carrera, I was honored to be asked to lead a pace group. Now, I really wasn't out there for myself. I got to run for my group : "my" girls, mijo, and Alex. My whole perspective of running changed. There were more smiley pics and tons of sweaty group pics.
Now, the blog title. At San Antonio races, it kind of reminded me of that big meeting at the beginning of The Warriors. Most everyone wearing their team/run group t-shirts. There was a little bit of mingling, but people stuck together. The major difference, of course, less fights with baseball bats. In fact, most run groups have an amiable relationship. I was able to run with not only Carrera, but also IAAP, Huarache Turbo, Team RWB, my squadron, and SARR. Here in San Angelo, it seems that the 3 groups I've found are made of mostly the same people. There are a few other groups in San Antonio too such as, Downtown Run Group, GetFit SATX, Brack Pack, Fleet Feet, and more.
My suggestion to anyone out there running solo is to find a group. Easiest way is just google your city's name + running group. Here are some links for San Antonio and national groups:
team RWB: teamrwb.org
Carrerathon: Carrerathon.com
IAAP: IAAP training Facebook
Huarache Turbo: huaracheturbo.com
Fleet Feet: fleetfeetsports.com
San Angelo Road Lizards: roadlizards.org
I haven't been able to hook up with Team RWB or the Road Lizards here yet, but I look forward to it.
And hey, exclusive (read: not on Facebook) pics from my run yesterday. was supposed to be an hour and a half but it got caught short to 51 due to lightning while on the trail.
2014, as I've mentioned in a previous post, I started running with Carrera. I had run a couple of their races previously and found myself on their mailing list. As all of my prior running groups had broken up after races, I was looking for a group. Joining Carrera significantly changed my outlook on running. It became a social event, as can be seen from of the group pictures I've posted. (Don't worry, I've got tons more!)
My last post covered how I met San Antonio officially via Carrera. Group training was great for me. I got faster, made friends, got to see new areas of town, and learned about new races. The entire last couple months I spent in San Antonio I repeatedly thought "man, I wish I would've made these friends earlier." The point of running also changed for me. I think that part of that was affirmation. I was one of the faster people in the group. Of course, there were people like Joseph, Anthony, Jason, Kat, and that one dude whose name I can't remember but hated wearing shirts could blow the doors off of me. What they taught me though was that running isn't always about competing with others. It's about having fun and competing with yourself. You can still run a great race and not be anywhere near the front. Terri, our coach, taught us to relax and slow down. Anne and Jason taught me to smile and enjoy the fact that I'm able to be out there in the first place. My second year with Carrera, I was honored to be asked to lead a pace group. Now, I really wasn't out there for myself. I got to run for my group : "my" girls, mijo, and Alex. My whole perspective of running changed. There were more smiley pics and tons of sweaty group pics.
Now, the blog title. At San Antonio races, it kind of reminded me of that big meeting at the beginning of The Warriors. Most everyone wearing their team/run group t-shirts. There was a little bit of mingling, but people stuck together. The major difference, of course, less fights with baseball bats. In fact, most run groups have an amiable relationship. I was able to run with not only Carrera, but also IAAP, Huarache Turbo, Team RWB, my squadron, and SARR. Here in San Angelo, it seems that the 3 groups I've found are made of mostly the same people. There are a few other groups in San Antonio too such as, Downtown Run Group, GetFit SATX, Brack Pack, Fleet Feet, and more.
My suggestion to anyone out there running solo is to find a group. Easiest way is just google your city's name + running group. Here are some links for San Antonio and national groups:
team RWB: teamrwb.org
Carrerathon: Carrerathon.com
IAAP: IAAP training Facebook
Huarache Turbo: huaracheturbo.com
Fleet Feet: fleetfeetsports.com
San Angelo Road Lizards: roadlizards.org
I haven't been able to hook up with Team RWB or the Road Lizards here yet, but I look forward to it.
And hey, exclusive (read: not on Facebook) pics from my run yesterday. was supposed to be an hour and a half but it got caught short to 51 due to lightning while on the trail.
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| San Angelo sidewalk |
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| the lovely view on College Hills and threatening skies |
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