Moreno Blog: 'Some Of My Best Runs Have Been With Others'

By Britt Moreno

"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." --Mattie Stepanek

I use to be fully content running solo. It's nice to run at my own pace, wrestle with my own thoughts, recite pretend speeches over in my head (yes, I do this), mull over relationships or think nothing at all. However, I am learning as I attempt to run a little longer than I have in the past, my motivation motor is puttering out and it's being refueled by people.

Some of my best runs have been with others. Once, I met Karen Morfit for a run and I ended up getting in ten miles. The most I have ever run. A couple of weekends ago, my sweet 6'2, long-legged, marathon running, makes-it-look-really-easy boyfriend slowed down to keep pace with me and we ran 6.5 miles. It was a piece of cake. This past Saturday I ran with my friend Lisa who just completed a half marathon (go, Lisa!) and I ran 10 miles although it was a snail's pace.

Meeting the winner of the Denver Rock N' Roll half marathon from last year Aaron Braun was also very motivating. He radiates passion and calls himself a "professional runner". He offered some helpful tips one of which is very simple: "you may not always want to or feel like it, but just lace up your sneakers anyway". Point being: put on your kicks, get out there and start moving.

Getting going or starting the run can be the toughest part of training. Even as I am writing this blog I am considering all the things I have to do today. I need to pick up a dress from the dry cleaners, study a script for this big event I am emceeing. I need to clean up, fold laundry… you get the idea.

I'd also like to nap, but out of the corner of my eye, I see my running shows kicked to the side from the other day and I know what I have to. I realize I cannot run with others everyday nor would I want to, because how else would I practice my Grammy speech? For the record, I hardly have any musical talent, but you never know!

I am clinging to the buoy Aaron tossed out: attempting to tread above waves of distractions life seems to wash over us. Completing a run feels good. That is now what I think about when I am grimacing through the discomfort as the miles add up and my tennis shoes pound the pavement.