Every day the stories seem more bleak. More layoffs, more Ponzi schemes, more bad financial news. I admire ostriches for having enough sense to put their heads in the ground and ignore it all!
We did a survey last summer and found most runners were not cutting back significantly in their running expenses because they consider them to be essential. That may have changed slightly since then, but we're seeing race registration purring along, people buying running shoes and getting excited about a chance to run outside with a little warm-up.
Most of us can't ignore the bad news entirely. But we can use some of our best human skills, the ones that have kept our species alive for so long. We can connect with other people, share our stories, and work together to make things better.
A new president has asked us to do just that. There are glimmers of hope. For many of us, running is a great metaphor for times like these. Yes, sometimes it is hard, but moving forward will lead to something better, sharing will lead to something richer, and persevering will lead to something lasting.
For those who have lost jobs recently, I encourage you to maintain your connections. Running can be a great way to keep social, keep active, and keep sane. Reach out to your running partners or group, and let them reach out to you. Don't disappear, come to races too. We're offering a special $10 entry fee for the St Patrick's Day Human Race for people recently laid off. Join us and join your friends.
Continue to tell your stories. Stories keep us connected, keep us inspired. Online social networking is so popular for a reason. It allows people to tell the stories of their lives, and see the stories of their friends. Tell us your stories. Find us on Facebook and drop us a note. How is your running going? What about your job search? Reach out to others who want to hear, and want to help.
We all have our own stories, but sometimes we want to be lost in someone else's story. Movies have the power to tell stories in ways that pull us in. There are many inspirational running movies (and some dreadful ones too). I've incorporated a list of fabulous running movies into six-week training programs posted on our Facebook page. These movies combine entertainment with inspiration.
Of course, there is no substitute for face-to-face interactions. Training partners , training groups and running clubs all fill that role. Jeff Galloway, Olympian and marathon training guru, recommends that each person in a training group bring a story to tell on a long run. By the time you get to your marathon, you are not only ready to run, you've become a better storyteller and listener.
The snow will melt, the economy will heat up and jobs will return. Your running will be part of what makes things better. Your stories will be part of what makes things richer.
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