IGNITE Your Running Buddy Pace
By Shayla A
I love running the Girls on the Run 5Ks. Not only are the courses always enjoyable with particular historic scenery in the West Bottoms of Kansas City or the motivational scenery around Children’s Mercy Park, they are also inspiring. I love running the Girls on the Run 5Ks without my headphones. Without my headphones, I am exposed to all the encouraging, uplifting, and empowering words of our coaches, girls, and running buddies. No matter what pace you are moving, we are all cheering each other on, moving forward towards the same finish line, embracing the environment around us. Being a Running Buddy and needing a Running Buddy are important roles to consider for our journeys. In this episode of IGNITE, we are considering which type of Running Buddy fits your pace.
The first time I ran a 5K with my oldest son, he was about 7 years old. We had trained together by him coming along on several of my runs around the city. We were holding each other accountable to the upcoming race by getting out and getting some miles on our shoes. I was reducing my race stress by getting miles in and making sure he can do the miles too. On these runs, I would have headphones in, ready to listen to music and keep my pace steady. He would have his headphones connected to my phone, ready to listen to music. Yet every time I would get ready to push play on my Spotify, my son would start talking. He would talk about a video game or an anime he was watching or a book he was reading or an assignment or school or whatever random idea he could talk about for the entire mile, 2 miles, or 3 miles we were running that day. Then came race day. He was so excited and pumped. I was really excited and nervous about our first race together. I didn’t even bother with my headphones, knowing he would talk most of the course anyway. The energy in the air had that racing spark to it that you cannot ignore. The announcer counted down and we were off! My son looks around, then looks at me and says very excitedly, “Wait. We can go as fast as we want?! Oh, I’m gone! See ya Mom!” And, so he was- I did not see him the whole rest of the race. I became my own Running Buddy and a little disappointed without my headphones. We both ran our own race on race day, but still benefitted from having and being a Running Buddy.
A Running Buddy:
*motivates
*holds accountability
*ensures safety
*provides companionship
*provides connection
*reduces stress and
*helps with the pace
Think about the last life challenge you experienced- surgery, having a baby, career change, graduation, birthday, depression, anxiety. Fill in the blank. Who was your Running Buddy? Who motivated you on your slow days? Who made you feel safe and loved? Who provided the perfect companionship and connection that reduced the stress or made it seem less scary? Who reminded you to take it slow? Who pushed you further than you thought you could go? When we have a Running Buddy or we are a Running Buddy for someone, the benefits become the purpose. Having a purpose is empowering. Empowerment helps us cross that finish line- even when the Running Buddy is only there for the training and at the finish line when you finally cross it. As a Girls on the Run coach, we become each girl’s Running Buddy from the moment her name appears on the roster. By the end of the season, you may realize just how much the girls were your Running Buddy, helping you to cross a finish line. Keep up the PACE (Positive and Compensatory Experience) by igniting your Running Buddy pace and being the best coach that you are!
Shayla A is the Coach Mentor for Girls on the Run Greater Kansas City. Her background comes from the classroom, coaching, day treatment schools, wellness, and advocating for children with special needs. She enjoys empowering and advocating for girls and coaches
in every challenge and celebration. Connect with her for support and assistance this season via call, text, or email. shaylaaranda@gmail.com | 816-284-9770
RESOURCE LIST TO IGNITE YOUR RUNNING BUDDY PACE:
The Happy Runner by David Roche and Megan Roche
Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleshman
Running Outside the Comfort Zone by Susan Lacke
Train Like a Mother: How to get across any finish line and not lose your family, job, or sanity by Sarah Bowman Shea and Dimity McDowell
TO WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO IGNITE YOUR RUNNING BUDDY PACE: