run.forester.run

Maybe it WAS just about the friends made along the way 🫶

Run friends are the best friends. Something about the shared physical struggle of running together changes people. It also brings people together and bridges divides (sometimes). When we run together we can push past differences at least for those moments.

If you don't really know me, I am pretty independent and prefer to do things solo. This is why I love running-I get to 'compete' yet stay sort of isolated/solitary. Plus, I'm not great at talking 😅 so the short interactions at and during runs are just right. Running with others is enjoyable and I truly love the running community 🥰 I try to surround myself with positivity and good energy and that's what is most addicting about races!

Like all good things there are dark sides though. I found running to be too similar to the rest of life. Cliques galore, arrogant wannabes, plus runners who smile and wave then do everything in their power to try to take away other humans' rights. There should be no place in running for anyone who hates people for the color of their skin, where they were born, who they love, etc. and I'm tired of pretending it's okay. It's not. And I'm done sharing this space with ignorant xenophobic people.

Aside from philosophical or political differences, I rarely met a runner I had an issue with and that speaks wholly to the character of the majority of us runners 🫶💪🤌 I did get bumped hard at the start of a race by a wannabe elite as**at once, but didn't really see them again. I heard stories of those wannabe elite runners at other races; yelling and/or pushing 😡 there's no place for those kind of runners. Period. We aren't running in the Olympics or for giant Happy Gilmore checks. Dial it back.

In no way will I attempt to tag and/or name everyone because there are so many and it's a guarantee to miss people. I tried to find as many pics as I could 🙏 I will miss seeing so many of you on an almost weekly basis 😕 but our trails may cross again 🫶🫶 until then, keep running friends!