Thank goodness for pairs...

The greatest pair I can think of my shoes! And I was quickly reminded of this last night. Better than PB&J, bagels and cream cheese, Tiny and Toya (ok maybe not them).

After a grueling day at the office I went for a run with a friend and it had been a while since I hit the pavement. I neglected the ipod because I wanted to focus; I wanted to hear the steady beat of my feet against the ground. I wanted my mind to wander and dream... and it did. Then I was reminded what it's like to have a running buddy. I hadn't had one since training for my first long distance race in 2008, when I ran a 10 miler with one of my dearest friends. We were so good together because whenever I couldn't breathe or it was getting too hard, she would just say "you're doing a good job" and I would think - "self, you are doing a good job" (ok I don't address myself this way in my head, but for the purpose of this piece... go with me). I don't know if it was the elementary school teacher in her, or the genuine thoughtfulness that she had to inspire me - either way I'm grateful (though I'm confident it's the latter).

We found in each other true friendship because we made a team sport out of a solo activity and we had plenty of conversations on topics that can only strengthen a relationship. And then she graduated... and I generally ran on my own. I'll admit I resorted to counting to 8 in my head or trying to count how many people would wear green that day on my run. Obviously, it wasn't the same, however that was when I established my runs as a place of solace a true get away from daily stress and surroundings. I can always tell if I have a good run because I almost feel disoriented when I walked into my house - almost a complete out of mind experience. Oh, how I love my running!

Running puts everything in perspective. It's interesting the verb "to run" in our vernacular is often used as an action to signal the escape from something. Running has taught me to not only escape my bad day, but on good days it's taught me to run towards something. The sport has taught me to dig deep and that no matter how hard it might be, you can always go one more mile and get to the end. As most active people can tell you, this not only rings true to the sport, but also to life.

And my running shoes, well they are like the relationships that I've built. The pair I become with each relationships that makes me who I am. I think the true value of a friendship/relationship occurs when you can count on them to make you whole, when you only feel like half of yourself. It's the person who makes sure you are comfortable when you sleep because they know you'll be sore the next day. It's the friend who pushes you forward, but stays close to catch you. Each of my relationships add something to some aspect of my life; they make that part of me whole. You realize you're a pair when you cannot function without the other. Ever lose a shoe before work?? I'm sure you all have at some point; you have to put something on and if you have to pick a different pair - it just doesn't feel right that day. And that's when you know. Nothing feels right in that part of your life without them.

Sure you find your own solace and sure you can look within yourself for inspiration, but you cannot deny that extra push for that extra mile - the simply "you're doing great" can bring you to the finish line stronger.