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Monday, May 26, 2014

Running unattached: How running clubs are helping people stay active, reach goals, and develop friendships

There is no cool way to say this. I'm going to sound like that guy in the corner of Golds Gym who reminds everyone near the weight rack how much he, "used to bench".

But here it goes. I was supposed to be a college athlete.

Its kindof a funny story. When I was accepted to D'youville's Physician Assistant program I received a little pamphlet asking if I was interested in any of the schools sports or clubs. I checked cross country.

A few weeks later I saw a guy in a D'youville cross country shirt at a local 5k (the St. John Vianny). I asked him if he had ran for the school. He was the coach.

We trash talked a little before the race and I left him my name and number. He called me the next week and gave me the meet schedule. I was beaming.

I started running tempos. I even made it to a track once. I had one ultra marathon left, but that was it. Done with that and onto cross country racing. I even bought red racing flats to match my jersey. I never received that jersey.

On the day of cross country orientation the athletic director walked into the small classroom and shouted, "does anyone here have an undergraduate degree? If so raise your hand."

I raised my hand.

"Okay bud, I'm sorry to inform you but you are unable to run here. NCAA rules. If you'd like to help coach just let me know."

I was embarrassed, confused, and shocked. I threw on my red racing flats and ran through the city. I came back a few hours later, took a shower and went into the gross anatomy lab to finish studying. I was quiet for a few days.


That was fate. But so was meeting Nate B at the Greater Buffalo Track and Field cross country race at Hoyt lake.

It was a miserable day. The course was soaked. Light rain came down. The skies were cloudy and truth be told, I just wanted to get it over with.

The gun went off and I soon realized that this was not going to be a good race. I was slipping all over the place and the leaders were running out of my sight. "Just finish", I thought.

I was running toe to toe with this kid in a red and white jersey that had the word "ripper" on the back of it. I asked him if his name was Jack. He said it was Nate. We pushed through the last mile, watching each other and we slogged up the muddy hills, neither of us were having a banner day.

At the end of the race we met up. He had mentioned that the club he was in, the "Bloody Nipples Athletic Club" ran long days at chestnut ridge. I told him to call me the next time he was around.

 (Nate B to the left- Justin to the right)

Speed to the present. I have run numerous races with my running club teammates and have had even more great training runs with them. I ran for almost an entire year with one maybe two friends- and now I have a phone full of contacts that I can run with. Or hang out with. Or both. These people have brought me through the longest race of my life- pacing for 20 long cold miles on the erie canal toe path. I have seen them all break personal records- most recently in the Buffalo Marathon and Half marathon. They are even traveling out 3 hours to watch me race in the gorges of Ithaca. I often think, "Wow, what if I had never ran that race. None of this would have happened."

(Nate B left and Andy C right)

Again, I really don't think that God cares much about running, but I can't call this a coincidence. So if you find yourself training alone- you don't have to be. If you find yourself doing almost any activity alone- you don't have to be.  Join a club. Get involved. And let fate take care of the rest.

In a world where many struggle to make meaningful relationships after high school or college- I can say that that I have made life long friends in my running club. When I entertain the thought of moving after I receive my masters degree I think, "I wonder what the running clubs are like?"



 (thank you to all the people of BNAC, PAC, and Runaway runners- and all the other wonderful people I have met at races and on the trails. I am so glad to be part of such a wonderful community)

(Andy left and Lynn right)

ALSO:

A very special congratulations to my close friend since freshman year of high school- Mike Wach. He finished his first marathon this week and I could not be prouder. You are great friend, a great medical student, and now I can honestly say- A GREAT RUNNER. Keep setting high goals- there is nothing you can't achieve.

Be well and ALWAYS run your own race. 





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