I’ve run for several years now. But most of those years involved solitary runs. I thought that’s what I liked. And don’t get me wrong, I do love those long runs, alone, just me, the trail, the air and my pounding breath.
But a few years ago I met my friend, Pam, in the kindergarten line. We showed up every day in our running gear, dropped off our girls and did our solitary runs. Until one day I got the guts to ask if she ran. Little did I know then that I’d found my running buddy.
Pam is 10 years older than me and about that much faster. She is an amazing woman. She is an incredibly creative mom, has worked for the School for the Deaf and Blind for over 20 years, has a gigantic heart and is in incredible shape.
The first run we did together I was petrified that I couldn’t keep up. I did manage to make it through and even get an invite to run again the next week.
Pam and I have run a marathon together, Pikes Peak Ascent and numerous other races. Saturday mornings are our sacred long run mornings. And I have finally found something I didn’t think I needed. A buddy to run with.
I am faster, more confident, much wiser (thanks to her sage advice) and an overall better woman since running with her.
It really is true that two are better than one! We’re working on our next race come late Spring. I just might get that elusive Boston PR I’ve been wanting for a few years now; that is if I can keep up with Pam!
I was born in Jos, Nigeria many years ago. I spent the next nineteen years living in Liberia, Kenya and Ethiopia.