Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,

and they’re always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows

Your name.

As I begin my taper for Boston, I thought the old theme to Cheers would be an appropriate way to begin this post. Seriously, though, we do all want to go where “where everybody knows [our] name.” I know I crave to be welcomed and remembered. Humans are built to be social and to build community. How can we build this community?

One way is to recognize each other on the run. I love it when I see other runners and we each give that little nod of recognition. It happens everywhere I run. Runners don’t have to know each other personally; we recognize the drive and desire. If we’re going the same direction, we may share a couple sentences, but it’s not required. The connection between runners is even stronger when the weather is at its worst. Probably because it is a smaller community and, just like a small town, smaller communities offer tighter bonds.

Another way to forge bonds as a running community is to meet up and run with others regularly. Running groups offer advice, encouragement, and motivation. The communion of sweat and gu opens up lines of communication that would never be explored over coffee. One explanation for this is the sheer amount of time groups spend together if they’re training for a marathon. Another possibility is that physical labor breaks down our inhibitions. Or possibly it is a corollary of the video game rule. I read once (maybe in Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) that women communicate face-to-face, and men prefer side-to-side. I saw this was true immediately because my buddies and I always talked more openly while watching sports or playing video games. Now I see that running offers the same dynamic. Could it be that we don’t have to watch for glimmers of judgment while we bare our soul if we’re watching for some crazed SUV driver on the streets? Maybe. I’ve been hungering for a running partner lately and two opportunities have just been introduced. I met with someone who is running his ninth Boston Marathon this spring. He has been running with a few other folks for years and invited me to join them. I’m excited to get out there and meet his group. I also met a fellow runner from just up the Lakeshore. I met this runner on the Runners’ World forums while discussing the Boston Marathon. I hope to do a long run or two with him soon, too.

Another great way to build more community among athletes is to be involved in local races and at the local running store. Running in local races is a great place to meet and talk with fellow runners in the area, but you don’t have to race every Saturday. In fact, you’ll probably meet more runners by volunteering at the local race. You won’t be so focused on yourself, and you’ll be able to talk to people at all different paces. Just like any community, though, you have to participate regularly to be a “regular.” You can also attend great clinics at Gazelle or just hang out and get to know the staff. We love to talk about running and want to get to know runners in the area. Please come in and talk to us even if you’re not shopping for anything in particular. Gazelle should be a meeting place for the running community.

Help build the running community. Get to know your fellow runners. Hang out with them. Mentor a new runner. Train together. Chat with a Gazellian. We may not always know your name (I’m trying to get better at this part), but we’re always glad you came.

Monday: 6 miles

Tuesday: 6 miles

Wednesday: 5 miles a.m./10 miles p.m.

Thursday: 7 miles w/ 5 X 1000 @ 3:40 w/ 400 m recovery

Friday: 6 miles

Saturday: 5 miles

Sunday: 19 @ 7:35/mile

Total for the Week: 64 miles

Total for the Year: 652 miles