ikilledit

7. Who supports you most with your running challenges?

Family, friends, & the internet. In that order.

Family: I run because I want my family to be proud of me, and I also want to be healthy enough to be in their lives for as long as possible. 

Friends: They cheer me on and make me smile. One of my closest friends was at the finish line last year to greet me after my half-marathon. It probably was not a big deal to her but it meant the world to me. It’s nice to know that you have someone who is proud of you, who cheers you on. 

Internet: I’ve said this so many times. If you talk about something, if you keep it on the brain, you’re more likely to not fail at doing it. Social media allows me to do that in a more accountable way. Talking about staying active and fit and then NOT doing that makes you a bit of an asshole. I talk about it because I’ll then feel guilty and follow through. Also, there are some fun websites that allow you to track your progress online. All of these things offer the kind of mental/emotional support that you need in order to stay strong. 

I’ve also managed to form some very “real” friendships that transitioned from the web into my real personal life. I’ve met some wonderful people and formed some great relationships as a result of twitter.