Since I moved just over a year ago I wanted to join the local running club. For the last year I've been living in one place with my partner and working in another (a 3 hour commute away). I don't work here so the only people that I know that live here are my partners work colleagues and some of their partners. Until a couple of weeks ago I I've literally met no one. I don't have children so I haven't met people through other parents, I don't work here so I haven't met local colleagues. I've literally made no friends.
Don't get me wrong I don't want sympathy, it's just the truth. I know no one here. Luckily my partner is my best friend and sometimes we both almost feel as if we don't really need anyone else because we have each other. But deep down I know that it's healthy to have friendships outside of your relationships and to socialise, even if I am slightly inept when I try.
My first attempt at meeting people was around a year ago, when I tried my local parkrun. I thought it would be a good way to meet people and maybe my partner would come too. The trouble is I turned up that first time (to this date I've only been twice), and there was just so many people! On average there is around 200-300 people at my local parkrun. So I turned up and everyone already had their groups and their friends. So both times I went I just ran around the course and then left. I just didn't know what to say.
I know parkrun is supposed to be a friendly local thing, but having to interrupt one of the already established groups of friends just seemed strange. I was pretty sure I would just come across as rude or weird as I'm not the great at sounding casual at the best of times. I probably would have come out with something a bit unusual to ask, or something deadly obvious, that clearly I didn't really need to ask.
(Disclaimer: Don't get me wrong I think parkrun is great, and I encourage everyone to give it a go - just if you're going to make friends maybe it's not ideal for everyone.
So long and short. I've lived here for over a year, and I don't know anyone.
That is until a couple of weeks ago. I finally made the decision to send a message via facebook to the local running club and ask what would be the best day for me to come and join in a session. I nearly didn't go, but I arranged it all and when it came to it I just made myself leave the house, and as always, that was the one thing that once I'm out, I can't turn back. To me it takes more willpower to give up once I've set my mind on something than if I just don't attempt it in the first place.
It was recommended I went to the local track session as it's one of the main club nights. One of my goals of joining a club is that I want to get faster, and to me that means track is probably going to be the best thing for me. Having structured training rather than me trying some random speed intervals myself I have no doubt will be a great benefit, so this sounded perfect.
So my first track session was on the 27th April at 7pm for around an hour, and I'm so glad I went. I'm not going to lie that first day I spoke to two people for around 10 seconds, and that's the best I did. It was awkward, I don't even remember their names (not because they weren't nice people, it's just that my memory tends to suffer a lot when I'm anxious) and they haven't tried to speak to me since, so I didn't do too great that first day socially.
Just 2 weeks on though and I've now been to two road runs & another track session and I'm speaking to more and more people each time I turn up. Sure I'm not doing great at the conversation yet, but a few people already know my name & say hi! Progress, and for me a giant leap into social situations that make me terrified, but also elated, knowing I'm getting there.
Here's to new acquaintances, great training and a great deal of running.
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Until next time - always remember, that sometimes, freedom is only a run away.
#runyourmindfree
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