The loneliness of the long distance runner

The book, movie, and song The loneliness of the long distance runner (middle distance in the B&S song) talks about running as solitary. "It's a treat being a long-distance runner out in the world by yourself ... Sometimes I think that I've never been so free as during that couple of hours when I'm trotting up the path out of the gates and turning by the bare-faced, big-bellied oak tree at the lane end." I do enjoy using running as a place for solace, reflection, and a place to sort out details on my own and I do enjoy running on my own. It is also something I enjoy sharing with others like a pride of lions working together to achieve a common goal. Running with Al's ship of fools pushes me and at the same time takes away the aspect of loneliness-each person there knows ... Running with friends is a time to share our goals and set new ones. It somehow feels more real when you share it with someone else. Did I just run 20 miles? Did you just see that? Running with others gives it validity - not always needed but being of the human race often preferred.

Training for New York I've had a "long distance" partner. My cousin J-R (pictured after running the Staten Island half with a seven mile warmup) and I have been putting our hat in the NY Marathon pool for quite a few years and this year we are running it together. We had many a training run in New York when I lived there, and we talked about running the marathon together some day and that day is near. It's been fun to hear how his runs have been. "Today I'm running from Grand Central Station home." or "I ran repeats of the park." It has been a virtual partnership this go round checking up on each other. Come November 2nd we hope to carry each other along to reach the goals we have set for ourselves. Sunday November 2nd we will be part of a large pride 40,000 strong stomping through the five boroughs of New York working for a common goal, make that 40,001 as one of my running buddies here will help pace us in NY. So solitary; without company; companionless we will not be come NYC. Not to mention the many people who have supported us along the way and will be there on race day to cheer us on physically and virtually.