1. This entry is good for the 5k, 8k, 10k, Half Marathon, or Marathon. One race only--no challenge series.
2. If you already registered, thank you! I can't reimburse you.
3. Look for opportunities during the week to enter this giveaway.
I am Ambassador of the Week with Pam (@hoprunner). Pam and I met when we first became Ambassadors several years ago. I remember meeting her at an Ambassador party, and she was super-friendly and chatty, as was her husband, Steve.
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| Ambassadors at VIP Dinner in 2015. Pam is right behind me in the blue dress. |
I remember realizing that Pam raced for Snakebite Racing, and that she is in fact a sub-elite. To a middle-of-the-pack runner, this can be intimidating. The thing is, Pam isn't intimidating at all. She is super-open and friendly. In fact, this year she mentioned running with me while she was training for the Canal Corridor 100 Mile Race, and I was gobsmacked. Pam inhales 7 minute miles for breakfast--how could I run with her?
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| This is EXACTLY how Pam looks when she inhales 7 minute miles for breakfast. |
The answer is that Pam knows a lot about training. She knows that for a 100 mile race she is not going to be running 7 minute miles, so she was super-flexible about running my 10+ minute miles on the long run. The first time we ran together, I screwed it up by doing tons of goblet squats the day before, so I was very sore, and I was basically a crybaby in the last part of our 15 miles. Pam never once showed any exasperation with me, and in fact, she offered to run with me again. And she did. It doesn't get any nicer than that, Peeps.
While we run, Pam talks to me about proper training and nutrition, and I soak it up. She once told me that if she could get me into a pool to cross train and then do speed work with her, I could break the 25 minute 5k time I'm thinking about. My response? I don't think I want it enough to get into a pool. Sorry, Lady.
Another way that Pam and I bond is through beer. Pam knows her beer, and I don't; I am a wine snob. Pam got me to try a beer flight at R.Shea's Brewery (right near where we live), and I loved it. I still don't know what the heck I'm doing in a brewery, but I really enjoyed trying different beers and figuring out what I liked.
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| Pam and I celebrate her husband's birthday. |
Anyway, this is the point, Peeps: You never know what people are like until you get to know them. Pam (and her husband) intimidated me until I let down my guard and got to know them. I'm so glad I did because I now have new friends at a time in my life where I thought I didn't want or need new friends. Are they better athletes than I am? You bet your dupa they are. Does it matter? I don't think so. I am proud of my friends, and I don't need to compare my results with theirs.
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| Pam and I are suffering after the Home Run for the Homeless 5 miler. |
Think about your friendships, Peeps. When did you take a chance and meet someone who was completely different from you? How did that work?
For one entry in my giveaway, tag one running buddy for whom you are thankful during your long runs. If you run alone, let me know in the comments.
Look for other opportunities to enter this week through Instagram and Twitter. Want to enter the race, but you don't want to enter the giveaway? Use my ambassador code, SICLE10, to get 10% off any registration (5k, 8k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon, AND Challenge Series!). I hope you run happy this week, Peeps!
Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!
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