Better Together

When I started running in 2008 I logged every mile by myself mostly around Harmon Field. Nobody knew me so I could easily plug in my music and run anonymously around the park. Nobody knew me and I liked it that way. I mostly ran at night so nobody would see me and I could remain invisible. I didn’t want the attention as I huffed and puffed my way around the track.


That all changed one night in 2009 when there was a group of a few other runners out there as well. I could see them running together and chatting, enjoying each other’s company. I was a bit envious on the camaraderie, but who would ever run with me? I was overweight and slow… not like them. They were athletic looking and probably fast. They were the runners I could only hope to be. I kept my head down and continued to run. Before I knew it they were coming my way and invited me to run with them. I told them I couldn’t keep up and I would only slow them down but they insisted.

I ran with them and, although I had a hard time talking and got out of breath, I managed a mile with them before my workout was done. It was nice. That was the first time I heard of the Tryon Running Club. My training continued and I am sure they continued to run as well, but I never managed to meet up with them again until the Ache.

Sometimes in running, as in life, you just have to be ready to take that first step. Scarlette posted an Ache Around the Lake training run and I decided to go. It was scary to show up by myself not knowing what to expect. Thank goodness I did! Not only was the training run just what I needed but I met people that would become my friends. That one day changed my life… and I am not saying that lightly. I needed to take that first step to get out and meet other runners and get involved.

Since that day I have met so many new and wonderful people; people I never would have met if it were not for our little running club. There are so many out there with different goals and experiences to share. I love being with them and sharing in their success; from the first time someone ran a mile without stopping to others qualifying for the Boston Marathon… there is no limit.

Now we are ready to take the next step for our running club and make it official. Why? We want to get the word out about our wonderful little club. We want to share the joys of running and find ways to give back to the community. Now is the time to make it happen. I hope you come out and see what we have in store.

As Bart Yasso autographed in a book for me, “Never limit where running can take you.”