This morning started out like most race mornings.
Alarm goes off ridiculously early, but it doesn’t matter because I couldn’t sleep anyway.
Make coffee
Pour it into the most awesome mug
Eat the usual breakfast (plus cream cheese, and a banana that went unpictured)
Bandage up a few wounded soldiers
Pump myself up, and head out!
Things were a little different for this race though- here’s why.
1. I didn’t know anyone else running, and I went by myself
2. I wasn’t sure if I would be running the 5 or 8 mile distance
3. I’m not a member of this running group, so I was hoping I would meet people, but a little nervous about it.
4. I don’t know the course.
5. This was a prediction race. No watches, ipods, garmins allowed. The winner is the person that most accurately predicts their finishing time.
When I arrived at the running store, I decided to opt for the 8 mile course.
Hey, why not, right?
Soon after I met another woman running that course,and then introduced myself to another girl who was running the 5 mile course.
She said she would up to the 8 mile, and we could run together. SCORE!
Then I found out that:
Friend #1 finished the Philly 1/2 marathon 3rd in her age group in 1 hour 38 minutes.
Friend #2 was a track runner in college and averages 7 min miles
CRAP.
We started out and the entire running group was FAST! Friend #2 said she didn’t care how fast she ran, so she would slow down so we could stick together. Her slow was still my fast though, and I was winded pretty quickly.
The course ended up just getting hillier and hillier! And at the fork where the 5 mile and 8 mile course met, I had to peace out on my new friend, and go for the 5 mile distance.
I finished strong and felt great. I had no watch on and there was no timer at the end so I have no idea how long it took me to finish, and I honestly don’t care.
I met a few other people on the 5 mile course, and then back at the store after the run. It was so nice to make new friends!! I exchanged numbers with two girls and we plan to run together and meet up with the group again.
I forgot how exciting it is to meet new people and make new connections. I also think that running in this group will help me to become a faster and better runner.
Running is a sport that has given me so much. And now, it is helping me to branch out and make new friends.
Off to meet another friend for lunch. What a great day!! 
Do you get nervous about meeting new people/friends?
Have you ever run with a group that was a lot faster than you? How did it go?
Yay ! Glad you met new people at the race. Love when that happens cuz you know you have at least that in common. I agree that running with those that are faster than you helps you push and become better over time.
I’m extremely nervous for meeting new people. It really throws me into a panic sometimes. I find sports have helped me meet so many people that I wouldn’t have in college.
I used to swim with boys that were faster than me and it only made faster. Since they have all graduated, I swim with a few slower girls and it is a lot harder to push myself. You will only see improvement from running with such fast people.
Fun! Where was the race? I’m hoping to find a running club when we get up to CT so I can interact with people who share a common interest. Most of my friends think I’m nuts for this.
The race was near me in PA I don’t live in CT anymore, but grew up there! You should def look for a running group when you move there. It would be a great way to meet new people!
I’m so nervous when it comes to meeting new people! I usually try and wait for the other person to speak first.
i dont like running with groups because im always the slowest one.. and i cant push myself like that because i will burn out.. Id rather run slow and steady than try and keep up with other people and need to walk.
Yeah I was scared about that too, but now I’m at a point where I know I need to push myself in order to get faster. And getting faster is one of my goals!
[...] you know from last week, there are a lot of fast runners in this group. It’s a bit intimidating. But I accepted that [...]