More than just Mommies Running

I moved to Virginia 3 years ago from California where I ran with a friend/neighbor. I was looking for another running buddy or 2 because I'm one of those people who just doesn't like to run alone. I was lucky enough to find the Montclair Striders within the first month of moving here and gave it a try. Not only did I get 1 or 2 running buddies, but a whole group!

In those 3 years I went from barely running 3 miles (to my credit I pushed a new baby and toddler!) to now running 2 half marathons, easily running 5-6 miles at a time and shaving my time down to an 8:30 m/m. Sure, I could spout about how hard I trained and how determined I was, but this is me we're talking about! There is no way on this earth that I would have done that by myself. I credit every bit of it to the women I ran with and trained with each week in this group. We aren't a hard core running group, but women who enjoy fitness and motivate everyone to reach the goals they have set.

However, there is much more to this group than training, running, and completing races. Many of us are friends. Not your "hey, thanks for running and see you soon" friends, but life long friends. We get together for coffee when it's cold, we always find time for a mom's night out and the emails and phone calls back and forth each week could make your head spin! When we are doing all this training and running we have really gotten to know each other. We have commiserated on sleepless nights, whether to have another child, spousal relationships, family dynamics, issues in the world and just life in general. We have celebrated birthdays, births, and all those little accomplishments we as moms revel in! These ladies know more about me than much of my family members do (and hopefully they don't spill the beans)!

And so here I am about to move again as a military wife. I knew the day would come to move and normally I take it all in stride. This is move #5 and while normally the moves get easier, this one is by far the most difficult for me. It's because I have made such good friends and I will miss these ladies so much. These ladies have helped to make me a fit mommy, but more importantly have helped make me a better person and friend. I'll miss you all.

In the words of the great Governator: "I'll be back."